The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-11-18

ested, or any individuals who will
participate be invited. Let the Gov
ernor of the State preside.
1t would be unwise to attempt to
discuss too many topics. If the whole
field of possibilities should be includ-
ed the energy of such convention
would be dssipated, and little would
be accomplished. Suppose the chief
topic for consideration be the possi-
bility of increasing the summer tou-
rist business in the State. This subject
would be of interest primarily to the
transportation companies, the hotel
men, the farmers, and incidentally to
good many other interests-in fact
to everyone in Vermont. The need
of developing this business is, per-
haps~greater than almost any other
of our neglected opportunities. The
summer trade is assuming enormous
proportions and as the New York Tri-
bune pointed out recently is one of
our great national industries. With
returning prosperity there will be
more money to spend for recreation
than ever before. Vermont cannot
afford to wait another year without
making the greatest possible effort to
secure her share of this trade. Al
least we may discuss possible sites
for summer hotels, greatly increasing
the number of city boarders in farm
homes, and advertising our scenic at
fractions.
If it could be known throughout
this section of the country that such
State convention would be held at
certain time, hotel men and capt.
alists would be attracted here, and
the attention of the general public
would be called to Vermont. 1t would
give us publicity that would cost us
nothing, and it would arouse an en-
| thusiasm throughout the State that
needs only encouragement of this
kind to bring about something really
worth while. Not in a generation has
there been such spirit of praise
worthy unrest in Vermont as there is
at the present time.
There is a new spirit abroad, as
yet nothing more than a widespread
feeling that we are not doing all we
are able to do with the natural re-
sources of our State. Let us take ad-
vantage of this hopeful spirit of dis
satisfaction with past achievements.
The time is ripe for taking a long
step forward. A little wise leader
ship, a. prudent direction of exist
ing enthusiasm into safe channels,
will result in new era for Ver-
mont.
The old Vermont Improvement So
ciety would be proper organization
to issue a call for such a convention.
The newspapers would be only too
glad to give the widest possible pub
licity to such movement. A care
fully arranged program might be
outlined, with discussions by Ver-
mont men, and possibly a few adj
dresses by speakers from without the
State-experts who could tell us
what other States have done, and
what we could do. An exhibit of pho
tographs of Vermont scenery might
be made, which would be notable
| CxtnR CHI
be held not later than February in
order to secure the best results.
OF course there are many other
live topics for discussion, such as
utilization of our water powers, more
scientific methods of agriculture
more extensive and intensive apple
growing, greater development OF
our mineral resources, which would
be profitable, at the proper time, but
it would be better, in the judgment
of this paper, not to scatter our fire
too much. If we take one general
topic, and concentrate the attention
of our own people and to greater
or less extent that of other States on
the uneXcelled attractions of Yer.
mont as a summer tourist resort, we
will accomplish more than we will
with a general program.
The Journal believes that this is g
timely topic for discussion by the
State press. The maxim found il
Poor Richards Almanac, God help!
them that help themselves" is al
: true today as it was when Benjamin
, Franklin published it century ant
5 half ago.
GOVERNOR pROJITV,S TRIP