The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-12-10
TURN SCENERY
INTO AN ASSET
Portland Mans Views on See Amer
lea First Idea.
WOULD USE NOTED WRITER
TO CREATE AN APPETITE FOR
KNOWING COUNTRY BETTER.

AT first glance, it may seem difficult
to get down 10 a practical basis in
handling such a subject as this. but
believe that good many practical
ideas VIII be presented for considera-
ton" says Tom Richardson, manager
OF the Portland Commercial club. in
an Interview in the Portland Oregonian
on The See America First" idea 10 De
considered at Inc meeting in Salt Lake,
Jan. %.
Now. l know number Of cities on
the Paciflc coast would join others
equally interested In gathering TO-
gether say thirty of the best-known
descriptive writer's in America and
have them make tour covering per-
maps saXty days. or even ninety. view
ms the more attractive features of
scenic America, Take q syndicate COM
posed Of 100 of the leading newspapers
and magazines OF the country Zone, o4
course in each city, who would sub
scribe for these arricles-have q COM
bined fund subscribed by the advertis-
ing departments OF the different rail-
roads--let the commercial, real estate
and financial inter ests OF the different
cities and sections as represented
through their commercial bodies also
contribute, and at the same time look
out Tor the comfort and convenience
OF the correspondents. As q result, il
would soon be the proper thing not
only to describe but TO publish matters
o. interest relative TO American scenes
worthy a visit. The natural rivalry
between the different newspapers and
magazines OF the country would create
an appetite for knowing more about
America, and can see no reason why
It should not be a matter worthy of
consideration in the presidents mes
sage.
If hundreds Of millions of dollars
are going out OF this country to be
spent IN Europe, while we have a more
advantageous climate and grander
scenes, isn't it worth while for the
United States government 20 adopt a
Plan which viii make American
scenery an American asset?
Make American Tour Fashionable.
can you imagine Mrs. Astor, who is
probably the most powerful factor in
american society. coming out in favor
or knowing America better. and then
making familiarity with this country
-ti-lAiSA4SAD4r " lelhliks5 al EALELlNtu Jour
herself just for the purpose of becom-
ing acquainted with the innumerabhe
attractive features of her native land?
She would find glaciers larger than
those of all Switzerland, an extinct vol
cano in whose crater Vesuvius could
be lost, forests that have no parallel,
lakes even more beautiful than Lake
Luzerne, mountains that look like solid
cones of snow. others that have can
yons and waterfalls TOO numerous even
TO count.
Il believe il is worth while for every
governor in the Trans Mississippi re-
sion To attend the Salt Lake meeting.
feel that the great railroad interests
should be represented there by their
most capable men. All of US know that
there Will come a time when American
scenery will be her gre4test asset,
bringing TO Us annually more than our
corn and wheat crop combined-but
why not hasten the day? We are
growing too nRtsrialistic and losing by
not knowing our country better and
taking advantage OF the opportunity
to enjoy its Incompatible attractions
and the pleasure OF being actually
proud Of il through personal knowl-
edge as not only the most progressive
and prosperous nation on earth, but as
a portion OF the world which acknowl-
edges no rival III its gifts