Adventure Magazine Cover, November 10, 1924 — page 187: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Ask Adventure From over all the round of this globe you have written me during four happy years of ‘A. A.” work. Keep ever in mind that I want you to write in a like manner long after I have gone home to build the House of the Sun in my beloved Para- dise Valley. The change is—CHARLES BRowN, JR., fipects, Tahiti, Society Islands, South Pacific ean. Names and addresses of department editors and the exact field covered by each section are given in the next issue of the magazine. Do not write to the magazine itself. Farmlands of Czecho-Slovakia O LONGER does the difference in exchange rates work to the benefit of the American: Question:—“T am writing to ask about conditions in Central Europe. I am thinking of buying farm land there and wish to know if: 1. The present rate of exchange operates to the benefit of a purchase. 2. What is the value of good land well located in Czecho-Slovakia and Austria? 3. Which country do you think is in best con- dition and has the best future? I think Czecho-Slovakia appeals to me more. Seems to be in much better shape. I am an experienced farmer, have capital and am acquainted with England, France and Denmark. A friend recently from Denmark says chances are good there and that a farmer out of debt has a good thing. I would like to take advantage of any exchange rate and I will appreciate any imforma- tion you can give. If published please withhold name.’’ — ——- ——, Menomonie, Wisc. Answer, by Mr. Fleischer:—Before going into de- tails answering your questions, I would like to cor- rect an erroneous impression on the part of all those who think that it is a comparatively easy matter to make use of the advantages of a high exchange rate when buying property abroad. The heyday for such transactions is passed, in fact it has been passé since 1922. People in Austria and Germany woke up to the fact that they could demand dollar prices—lower of course than ours—for good-sized farms and get them. The market, so I have been informed, has gone up; and to purchase land over there now means expenses and more expenses. The State is looking for a rake-off and gets it. Sales taxation adds another score. If the seller must pay as much as sixty per cent. personal-income tax he is usually wise enough to add it to the purchase price, and if he is to make a profit at all, discounting the tax, you can figure out yourself that the ultimate figure compares well with the price for a moderate farm in this country, especially in the Middle West. Besides, translate several thousand dollars into marks, and you need an expert accountant to figure out the “higher denominations.”’ However, since you seem to wish to know about Czecho-Slovakia, the America of Europe, I will 185 answer your questions with reference to the land of my birth. 1. No—decidedly not. Czech crowns are high, and the comparative scale of living is higher in Czecho-Slovakia than over here. 2. Of Austria I have no recent reports. In Czecho-Slovakia good land is high, and as far as I can ascertain hard to get. The recent prices paid for timber and beet-sugar land are the equivalent of one hundred and eighty-five dollars per acre! 3. Czecho-Slovakia. Next to England, in the best condition of all nations participating in the late war. Of Denmark I do not pretend to know much; besides it is not included in my territory. I am enclosing a leaflet about Czecho-Slovakia, which I hope will prove of interest to you. Within the scope of this letter it is impossible to advise you what to do, but if you care to inform me of your exact wishes and preferences, your possible working capital and crops you have experience with, I shall make a detailed report on your chances. It will take a little time, but I believe I can be of service to you. I would get definite data and locations. Elche remember, I am speaking of Czecho-Slovakia only. The reason for my asking these questions is simply a matter of convenience for both of us. If you are really interested, and prove your good faith by con- fiding in me, E shall go a long way to clear obstacles for you. I had a bad experience with one reader of Adventure; after inquirmg about similar matters as you and getting a detailed answer from me, the obtaining of all facts somewhat involved me; he merely used it for a purpose not intended, and since then I have become somewhat skeptical. I am always glad to help, and all of the “Ask Adventure”’ editors are; but we very often use our time and good will for naught. I am sure you will agree with me that our service, since it is gratuitous, should be used only to the best advantage of these inquiring. If you care to have definite data, write again. Locations, area and earnings of certain farms and lands will be at your disposal. It is necessary for me to have the information asked for in order to judge whether or not to encourage or discourage you. Let me warn you that it takes quite an amount to make a go of it. Read Rule 1 and the other rules. Where to Invite One’s Soul OW do the wilderness sections of west- ern North Carolina sound? Question: —“TI do not know whether my inquiry rightly comes within your sections or not but hope that you can give me some information on the subject. I will first give you a little information as to myself so that you can better judge what would be suitable to my desires. I am forty years of age. Have been a deep-water man for the last twenty years and am now desiring to return to my native land and settle down. Entire family consists of self and a veteran pit dog. Have several thousand dollars and sufficient income so that I need never work in order to supply my simple wants. Am very fond of hunting and fishing and have done quite a bit of both in all parts of the world. CO MICLOOOKS =