The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-16
MAY Be A DARK HORSE.
Passenger Agent Fee. Of the North
ern Pacific, Talks About the
Teachers Convention.
The Report That Seattle 10 In tho
Race Is q Matter OF Surprise
to Him.
Conventions Which VIII Visit Montana
This Year-Accommodatisns In the
Park--Thc Tourist Season.


Chas. 8. Fee, general passenger and ticket
agent of the Northern Pacific, il in the
city, a guest at the Broadwater. He was
somewhat surprised yesterday at the Asso-
ciatsd press report that Seattle was a COM
petitor for the meeting of the National
convention of teachers in 1892. "Some two
or three months ago." said Mr.. Fee, II
heard indirectly that Seattle was going to
try for the convention, but our general
agent there could not find any one who WAS
managing the affair, and l concluded that
the rumor was unfounded. Helena was
the only city that came directly to US and
asked for the aid of the railroad in secur-
ing the meeting. We have -four representa-
tives at Toronto, sent there in behalf of
this city. OF course, if Seattle If actually
in the competition with Helena, the North
ern Pacific representatives will be forced to
take a neutral attitude. We have
sent a great deal of advertising
matter to Toronto, and it all re-
lates to the Yellowstone park, Helena and
Montana, as my understanding at the time
it was sent was that Helena was the only
city on the line of our road making an ef-
fort to secure it. Seattle may awe been
making a still hunt, and these are some
times dangerous. Individually l believe
this city has an excellent chance to secure
the meeting next year.
IF it does com to Helena or Seattle
the Northern Pacific will make a most adj
vantageous rate, so as to attract as large q
crowd as possible. Anything the railroad
can do to make national conventions in
the northwest successful will be done
'The National Association of Ticket
Agents." continued Mr.. Fee, "meets in st.
Paul September Z. The intention origi-
nally was to hold the convention in July,
but the Northern Pacific has desired for
the past two or three years to tender the
association an excursion to the park, but
has RETAINED until the accommodations
were such that we could take care Of a
large party in addition to the regular traffic.
This year that condition has been reached,
80 l wrote the secretary some time ago, tell.
ing him if he would set the date of the
meeting in September the Northern Pacific
would be pleased to give the association an
park. Thu party will leave st. Paul Sept.
10 in two special trains and spend five or
six DAVIS in the park. The members, II
pleased with their trip, can do both the
railroad and the state of Montana a great
deal of good. Intending tourists, if their
local agent says the "Trip to Montana IS a
fine one, both for scenery and accommoda-
tions, will pay more attention to him than
all we can say in advertising matter. The
railroad will provide everything, and all
the ticket agents will have to do will be to
enjoy themselves.
"Early in September the international
Geological society meets in Washington
city. The society Is not only composed of
noted American scientists, but eminent
men from Europe will also be present. We
have arranged to give the members Il trip
through the National park, where they will
spend eight or nine days.
1--WE are in ftst-class shape now to take
care of people who visit the national pleas
which was only partially furnished last
season, is completely furnished now. and
can comfortably accommodate 200 people.
There is another hotel at Yellowstone lake
which can tax care of LEO more. The hotel
ut Lower Geyser basin is also ready for
by steam and is in every way a frst-class
house with accommodations for 250 people.
A great deal of work has been done on the
roads in the park, also. Thu park is a
great Advertisement for Montana and Hell
visit there they are likely to extend it, and
when they go home will give the
state a good name. Owing to the cool
weather in the east, SO far this summer
tourist travel is not up to what it was at the
to drive the ordinary business man out of
his city Office. Nevertheless | expect that
when the season closes the Northern
Paoitic's summer business will show the
same gratifying percentage of increase it
has since tho road was first operated as a
through line. The business will be later;
that is the only difference"
Helena people appreciate the way in
which your department is advertising the
city and it's big hotel, the Broadwater," re-
murked a bystander.
THE appreciation is a mutual affair."" re-
piled Mr.. Fee. I'VE are very glad you
have the hotel to advertise. The Broad
water is one of the greatest cards the
city and state has, and also a
great thing for the railroads which
run into Helena. We nave printed 10000
of the Broadwater folders and SO great ia
the demand for them that we will undoubt-
eddy have to increase the humber In all
of our other publications from two to ten
pages ara devoted to the hotel and nata-
torium. 1t is to the advantage of the road
to have the hotel become we'll known be-
cause Helena is an excellent place for
tourists who are travelling from the east to
the sound to stop off. The Broadwater
offers the best accommodations, a great
deal better than many of the eastern sum
mer resorts, and it so close to the city as
to offer superior advantages to the ordinary
summer resort. Ladies' who make the
rounds of the park on the stages are nntur-
ally tired after five or six DAYS travel there,
and before going OF to the coast or Alaska
find this a most agreeable resting place."
Speaking of the recent washouts, Mr.
Fee said the damage looked to him as
though it was the work of three or four
cloud bursts. The pa of the road washed
away was a portion where no trouble of the
kind was apprehended. He was on the
ground and says the delayed pnssenge RI
took the Inconvenience very nicely. The
railroad put all the men and machinery to
work that could be used, and now the road
is all right again.
Mr.. Fee will spend a week or so in Mon
tana before returning to st. Paul.
Mrs. NJ. A.. Russell can Hill orders from
four to six days.