The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1909-07-28
SAYS TRAVEL
HAS NOT BEGUN
EXPECT BIGGEST TRAFFIC LATER
Northern Pacific Passenger Man Pre-
diets Exodus of Farmers and
Europeans.

Travel to the exposition hasn't
really begun yet. Europeans are yet
to come, and the farmers of the West
and all those whose business depends,
directly or indirectly, upon the crops
have not started. Here in Seattle this
is not realized, but railroad men are
working overtime in planning for the
care of the thousands who are yet to
come. And let me say that when they
do come Seattle will realize what
splendid work has been done by the
railroads In advertising the exposition.
Every Western state, and l mean all
west Of the Mississippi. will have to
concede that they are greatly benefited
by the travel to and from the EXPOSE
tien."
This statement was made by G. A.
Mitchell. assistant general passenger
speaking to number Of railroad
men when the question was asked,
Has travel to the fair reached its
zenith?"
1.-The Northern Pacific has expended
fully $4,000 in advertising the ex-
position" said Mr.. Mitchell, and the
system we use in checking up inquiries
gives us a basis, which works out
absolutely correct, Of the number Of
people to expect. We know what
holds them back. We know the gen.
eral prosperity of this and that re-
gion. Estimates which we made in
May have been so accurate, as the
figures now show, that we feel we
know what we are talking about.
Expects Many From Europe.
"Now as to the European travel.
We did great deal Of advertising in
Europe. 1t has borne fruit, and our
European agents inform us that about
August 1 the first of the visitors will
be crossing the ocean. They will, in
many instances, come to the West in a
leisurely manner, stopping off to see
the sights, perhaps a majority Of them
calling at the Yellowstone park, which
we have also advertised extensively in
Europe.
But the contingent that will form
the bulk of the travel will be the
farmers Of the West. I came along
our line with the object in view Of
seeing if the favorable reports we have
been getting at headquarters regarding
the good crops were not slightly ex-
aggerated. 1 found that a happy, pros
porous people is only awaiting the
harvesting of the biggest Of crops to
come to the exposition. I know from
personal inquiry and investigation
that in the hundreds Of communities
that depend solely on the crops, the
blacksmith, carpenter, merchant, and
all others, knowing they also will
prosper by the big crop, have deter
mined to come. here after the harvest.
1t is then that our line will be busiest,
that your city will be taxed for ac-
commodations.
There is one thing that has helped
us a great deal, and will help the ex-
position. All, with very few excep-
lions, have gone back from the fair
as boosters. We have thousands of
clippings from all over the country
showing that the fair has met with
the favor of visitors.
Many Districts to Advertise.
There is one feature of this EXPOSE
ton that will come to the surface be-
fore it ends more strongly than at
present. In Montana there is a general
complaint that that state was not rep
resented. l know it to be a fact that
there is not a state in the West or
province in Canada traversed by a
line reaching Seattle that is not get
ting ready with advertising matter to
encourage the travellers to see what
it has within its borders. They see
the regular trains taxed and run in
sections, they note the special trains
and the special cars, and now they
realize more than ever that the expo
sition is a worlds fair, that it's pa
irons come from everywhere on earth.
1.-The exposition marks an epoch in
the development of the West. Watch
the Eastern men go home, pack up,
and come out West. / am not saying
this to boost either the fair or the
Northern Pacific. 1t is the concensus
of opinion of those who have heard
the comments of the Eastern visitor
who has made his first trip to the
West He is impressed with its waste
ness richness and hustle"