Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-04
LOS ANGELES IS
IDEAL AUTO HOME
POOR ROADS ARE THE ONLY
OBJECTION
y. II. ordway, Millionaire Motorist and
Tourist, Says That With Excep=
ton of Rough Thorouehfares
California Is Supreme

world like Southern California for au-
tomobiling and but for one objection
Los Angeles would be an ideal center"
Thus spoke j. II. Ordway, the million
sire tourist of Broollline, Mass, as he
sat in the lobby of the Van Nuys hotel
yesterday afternoon with a somewhat
disappointed look upon his face as
ominous appearing clouds and few
scattered rain drops foreboded 1nauS-
picious weather for the commencement
of his trip by auto to San Francisco,
which had been planned for this morn
ing.
But Mr.. Ordway made no reference
to the obstinacy of the elements,
preston of dissatisfaction. on the con-
trary he volunteered that the people of
Southern California must be God s
chosen ones" as regarded the climate
in which they live. This phrase from
Mr.. Ordway as he contemplated pos
sible disarrangement of his plans be-
cause of the threatening clouds, gave
an in5ling to the lode star which has
made Southern California mecca for
globe trotters when the icy blasts play
havoc with less favored communities.
Eyes, there is one feature of your city
here, and its immediate localities, that
one cannot truthfully praise. The
condition of Los Angeles thoroughfares
and the roads which stretch away to
the coast and nearby places of inter-
est is very poor. Combine your climate
and the magnificent scenery Whlcn we
have wondered at, with few macad-
amized boulevards and there is no rea-
son in the world why Los Angeles
should not rank above all other cities
as the native place of the auto.
But you must do something to these
roads. AS an observer | would say It's
a shame that, with everything else TO
favor unlimited traffic around Los An
eeles. such ruts and holes as one meets
with exists to detract much from the
profit and pleasure of country driving
Mr.. Ordway was speaking more from
a business standpoint than as tour
ist when he referred to Los Angeles ana
surrounding speedWays
AS an instance of the commercial
enterprise that has arisen in connection
with the adoption of the automobile,
Mr.. Ordway spoke of the numerous INNS
and old time taverns of Massachusetts
which had remained dormant since the
time of the revolution prior to the COM
ing of the horseless machines
'fMany q time" said Mr.. OrdWay,
'have I witnessed as many as 20o
machines lined up in front of those old
time establishments waiting turn at
the refreshments and resting places.
s.The roads of Massachusetts are
among the finest in the country for any
sort of travel and the state has maca-
denoized the principal highways. The
automobile associations or clubs are at
no expense. although their power is
great in securing the legislation neces-
sary. a,o,,o.
"As a result, the historic places along
the highways are producing hano-
some revenue for those controlllhg 9
them, beside adding to the pleasure oI
touring. There is the Wayside mn at
Sudbury, Ferncrest at Danvers, won 5
tavern at Newburyport ana otner rMoau M
resorts that had almost been forsaken
until the automobile and good roads
nointed out the commercial possibilities
10 some of the enterprising residents
of that section"
An interesting factor IN the building
of the Massachusetts highways was IN
stanced and the effectiveness OF the
method resulted from unique measures:
For sometime the farmers objected
to such taxation as was required for
the building of suitable thoroughfares
and appeared content to haul their
products and vehicles along the poor
highways. AS an experiment, the state
ordered several miles of macadam1zed
road to be prepared. The populace had
waxed exceedingly gleeful, when OF
sudden the work was stopped. IN
stantly there was a howl from the
neighboring vicinity.
The farmer found pleasant sailing
along the new road. but when ne
reached the termination and once more
found himself iolting and humping over
the ruts and gullies he straightway
objected. and then there an effective
good roads movement developed into
a network of splendid highways
throughout the state.
Mr.. Ordway, when asked as to the
methods employed in securing such
roads, said:
"The dealers of Boston are very con-
genial and work harmoniously for
everything that may tend to promote
the welfare of the trade and the cause
Of good roads. They have become very
powerful and WELD a great influence
in securing their thoroughfares."
When asked for a comparison be-
tween the scenic effects which form
the background of the famous touring
grounds of the east and California
Landscape, Mr.. OrdWay declared en-
phatically that there was no compar-
ison between the mountain scenery
which he had passed through in South
ern California and that of the New
Hampshire hills where thousands and
thousands of autoists travel yearly,
saying that the clear cut ranges OF
the coast were far more impressive
than the wooded hills of the east.
With Mr. and Mrs. Ordway is Mr..
r. A. Davenport of Boston. The party
returned yesterday morning from Riv-
erside and report that the roads arc
in excellent condition, with the eXcep-
.tion of the crossing at the San Gabriel
river, which it is necessary to ford. 1t
is impossible to cross directly, but by
navigating a various course across the
stream the Ordway party succeeded in
making the watery passage.
When A. G. Burrage the Boston gas
magnate, made the attempt several
weeks ago. the water rose to the ton
neau and the occupants experienced
an exciting time in reaching the fur
ther side.
Mr.. Ordway and party will leave this
morning for San Francisco, providing
the weather is favorable. After tour
ing the northern part of the state they
will leave for Massachusetts,.
ATuI CTEc CNII Enp kTuEMc