Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-08-05
Attracting the Tourist.


We published, yesterday, the article
which Commissioner Edgar E. Rim.
had in the Sunday Globe on the i'm
portance of the protection of our fish
and game as a means of attracting the
tourist. With his article were pub
lished several others along the same
line, though not dealing with the mat
ter of game protection. Hon. f. w
Rollins, Ex-Governor of New Hamp-
shire, dwells upon the influence of the
Old Home week movement which owes
it's origin to his public spirit and enter
prise. Edward A. Start, secretary OF
the Massachusetts Forestry Associa-
ton, urges the importance of the pre-
servation of the trees. George A. Per-
kins. who was the first highway COM
missioner of Massachusetts. discusses
the Improvement of the country high
ways.
1t needs no argument to show that
all four of these factors are of much
Importance in making New England in
general, and Maine in particular, more
attractive to the summer tourist. The
summer tourist business is now one of
our greatest industries. While the pro-
pagation and protection of fish and
game is of more importance to the
sportsman, rather than to the summer
visitor. as the latter term is commonly
employed, it is beyond dispute that it is
of the utmost advantage to Maine in
drawing a large and desirable class OF
outsiders to our woods and lakes
Moreover. IL Is an important fact that
the fishing season begins earlier ant
the hunting season continues later thar
the season of summer tourists. Mr.
Ring put the matter none too strongly
in advocating earnestly n continuation
of the States judicious policy of fish
and game protection.
And what of the factors mentioned
by the other writer's. as affecting
Maine? Every word that Governor
Rollins said of the value of Old Hon,
week to New Hampshire will apply to
Maine. While the Old Home weel
movement in Maine. as far as public
celebrations on n large scale are con-
cerned, has had n reaction and nov
falls far short of what it started in t,
be. three years ago. it is nevertheless
an important feature of the summer
and there should be no question as tS
its perpetuation. Let there be a few
celebrations by cities, if they care t
have them. n few town centennials
each year, and the numberless oil,
home reunions in the villages and OF
the farms. They carry out the tru,
spirit of the week and do q good worl
almost inestimable in its value il
drawing former residents back here
and in spreading everywhere the fam,
of the State as the summer paradise o
the continent. OF the Old Home weel
influence. Governor Rollins says:
nut tie olC I1cIle week lloNeI1ell
has had the effect of bringing to TIL,
State q great many thousands who ar,
not strictly tourists. For long tim,
the tide of travel was from the countr,
to the city. But the tide has turned
The eyes of thinking men have beef
opened. they are turning their step
once more toward tn fields and past
ures of their childhood: they are com
ing back to the old home. Men arr
realizing that the life in cities is forced
artificial. unreal, unhealthful. and the,
are barking back to first principles
getting back to nature. Particular,
Is this so where there are children, VIII
always ought to be brought up Wit
their ears to the ground where the,
can hear nature whisper her secrets
With this returning wave l look to Sc
great advancement in New Hampshire
hope to see her farms rejuvenated. he
roads improved her schools made equa
to the best. her churches filled. her for
ests preserved. I hope to see throug