The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-03-30

way of bringing winter tourists to our
city and advertising II in general.
There seems 10 be a determined effort
on the part Of the people of the North
TO get a speedway where periodical
races can be held at some point in the
South that Is more convenient TO them
that 0rmond Beach; in fact, at a recent
date a large delegation went from
New York TO Virginia Beach 10 inspect
that place as a possible Site 1t proved
TO be unfit for the purpose.
II am convinced that the level lands
adjacent to Savannah, and the magnif1-
cent material used on our roads, puts
Chatham county in position to build
| the finest speedway in the country.
AS to its convenience, / believe, saw
ing the trifilng increased cost of trav-
cling, Savannah Is the most convenient
place on the Atlantic seaboard as rae
ers and tourists can put their machines
aboard ship at New York, Boston,
Philadelphia and Baltimore and, i'm
mediately on landing here can so to
any place they choose under their own
power. I understand the rates for
such transportation are very reason
able, and so far below the cost to
! Or1nond as to be some inducement
even to rich people.
with such a speedway the advertis-
| ing we would get in the papers
throughout the entire United States
would be something enormous, and
would bring many wealthy visitors to
the city, who, after seeing our mag
nif1cent roads and enjoying our de-
lightful winter climate, would become
anxious to establish winter homes here,
which would mean that large amount
of money would be spent, being put
into general circulation and becoming
of benefit either directly or indirectly
to everybody here.
at is well known to all that the few
Northern people who have enjoyed the
advantages as stated have fallen in
love with our city, roads and climate
and some investments have already
been made by them. When once such
people come, they are sure to come
again."
Itainey FavOrs Proposed Route.
Mr.. r. A. Rainey, probably the best
known automobiliSt now in Savannah,
wrote Mr.. Foster that in his opinion
there are many reasons for using the
Meridian road for a speedway such as
is proposed, the first being that little
or no grading will be necessary, the
second that the rights of way are cas-
lily available: third. that the course
would be almost straight: and fourth,
and most important, the work could
be commenced much sooner than ten
or twenty other locations should be
argued Mr.. Rainey says further:
The Importance of going at this
Immediately should not be overlooked.
The automobile industry will be one of
the greatest in this country within the
next four years. as it has become in
France, the only difference being that
the automobile in that country was the
result of the roads. while in this coun-
try the roads will be the result of the
automobiles.
Savannah with her advantages in
the shape Of level country, wonderful
material for road building and the
present convict system, should not al
low other cities to lead in this matter.
A six-mile straight-away, such as. the
proposed track would be, l believe,
would bring every owner of fast ma
chine to Savannah for sometime, at
least, every winter. / offer the hearty
cooperation of myself and my brother
to this scheme"
Mr.. T. A. Bryson said: "Our good
roads at present speak for themselves
but / can see that having a speedway
would bring more of the wealthy peo-
pie who delight in automobile racing.
and 1 believe it will be the means of
getting them interested in our city,
In its stores, hotels, etc. 1t will also
be the means of encouraging the auto
mobile business among the various
dealers. / most thoroughly endorse
the plan, and hope that speedy action
can be taken so as to get it under
way in order to attract the automo-
bilists for the next season."
Big Thing for Savannah.
Mr.. Mills B. Lane, president of the
Citizens Bank said: II think it would
be a great thing for Savannah and
Chatham county to have such a speed
way, and from my knowledge of the
county l don't think you could get a
more desirable route than the one you
have suggested"
MIR. w. V. Davis said: I'm my opin-
ion the construction of a speedway will
be of incalculable benefit to Savannah
and Chatham county. Aside from the
great amount of pleasure which /
think the citizens of Savannah would
derive from such a course I believe
that 1t would attract numbers of Wis
itors here, particularly during the
tourist season.
Youmans & Demmond said: 1--WE
indorse heartily the movement on foot
to build a speedway. We believe it
would result in much benefit to the
city, and adjoining property. Our good
roads have already attracted a class
of wealthy people to the city some of
whom have invested in property. One
of these visitors has contracted for a
$4,000 building and when this is COM
pleted he will have spent over 500, 900
in Savannah. 1t seems to us this is
the best argument we can make in ia
vor of a speedway.
An excellent Endorsement of the plan
came from Mr.. B. Fl. Levy, who said f:
II believe 1t will be one of the greatest
things that ever happened to Savan-
nah. This city is rapidly becoming
widely known throughout the East and
West as a tourist point; believe the
tourist travel this season has been one
of the largest in our history. / have
talked with several persons who visit
ed our city last winter and they had
nothing but good words for the beauty
of the place. the good roads coming in
for their share Of the praise.
Would Bring Tourists.
81 believe we can make Savannah
one of the largest and most popular
tourist points in the South, and moth
ing could do more to this end than the
building of a speedway. Many of the
OPERATIONS A FAD.