WHAT AMERICANS THINK OF LONDON.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1924, Page 4

WHAT AMERICANS THINK OF LONDON.

LONDON, July 17. When the American advertising ex-, perts return home from England they will advertise with entlmasism and truth the merits of London. They will also lie convinced that the impression which many of them must have had concerning the Englishman—the phlegmatic stock type represented so ol ton on the American stage—is not justified.

Loudon lias fascinated, surprised and perplexed them. A reporter was last night given some vivid and frank pictures ol London as it appears through American eyes. “Quite a city!” was the .summingup of Mr Ray Finger, the secretary and manager of the Cleveland (Ohio) Advertising Club. He added: I have been quite disillusioned with regard to your nobility. Wo have an idea in the States that the British Peer is aloof—like someone in another world. I have met some of them at the Convention and they are just business men with a knowledge ol alrairs. I have also found Britishers in general very sociable. Your transport facilities are better than ours. You cover the ground very fast. To-night I came right hack to the Hotel Cecil, Strand, from Wembley in 27 minutes. That’s good—you bet your life, yes, sir! ) our omnibus service is tremendous. 1 here is nothing like il ill the States. In London you have to travel more in making business calls because you have onlv six-story buildings or so. while we have buildings id fltt or -111 or more, hut the look ol your streets is very fine. Your telephone service is poor. I have tried, and failed, to get people at another hotel, and have had to go round to see them. In mv office in Cleveland I have At I!) calls a day and of these <)<) per cent, are through in less than JO seconds. .Mr Alan 11. Craves, of Dubuque (Iowa), said, that he had been greatly struck by the number of monuments in London. It seems strange i lie remarked) not t,, see allv tramway-ears in the centre of Loudon, hut it makes tlie streets look very nice. Time does nut seem to he auv object over here. II takes longer to have meals in restaurants. !„ the States we have butter with breakfast, luncheon, and supper, but here you have to ask for it. and you have to ask for water, too.

Mr Cranv’es described Londoners as courteous and good-humoured and more curious about small events in the streets than Americans.