The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-11-18
0ermont MHthmam.
AUTOMOBILE TOURIST TRADE.

NJ
The need of employing all avail
able means for securing our share of
the summer tourist business is well
set forth in editorial comment in two
Vermont papers.
The Lyndonville Union Journal
says:
Don't be in hurry about requir-
ing automobiles coming into this
State from other States to pay a
license. 1t would be damage to the
State, at this time of hoping for an
increase in our summer business
from tourists, to show any DISPOSE
ton to keep automobile parties from
crossing our borders We need this
business just as much as New Halnp-
shire does"
The White River Junction Land
mark remarks:
THAT the summer boarder and
tourist patronage is all desirable for
Vermont it would seem no one will
question, and as the Journal points
out, this patronage will not materi-
alize if obstacles are placed in it's
way. If Maine and New Hampshire
can increase their State wealth by
tens of millions of dollars, as they
have, by the way of the summer
boarder, Vermont can do the same, as
she can match her sister States in
every respect. Hence, it is the boun-
den duty of every resident of the
State to do that which is in his power
to attract the summer tourist or
boarder. His coming expands the
home market for everything the farm
er and gardener grows, and the pros
perity of one class is in measure
the prosperity of all. In this matter
of the summer boarder business there
should be an immediate campaign of
education by the people and the
State, and especially by the people Of
the White River valley for there is
the beauty spot of all New England
This paper agrees with it's con-
temporaries that there should be no
restriction placed upon automobiles
from other States in the way of ex-
IRENE taxation, that would drive
tourists away from Vermont The
Journal believes that the restrictions
designed to prevent reckless driving
of automobiles should be enforced
without discrimination.
There is a small class of automo-
bile tourists who care nothing for the
scenic beauty of any region, their
sole object being to rush over road
at the speed of a railroad train, seek
ing to cover a given distance in the
shortest possible time. This class of
automobilists is a menace to public
safety, and the fewer Vermont has of
that kind, the better our people will
be pleased. Fortunately the great
majority of automobile parties desire
to see the natural beauty of the coun-
try through which they pass: These
tourists we will welcome. We should
try in every legitimate way to at
tract such visitors to Vermont. Sum-
mer travel by means of motor cars
is increasing with wonderful rapid
ity. This development is tending to
revive. the smaller hotels which were
well known feature of stage coach
ing days.
If the good roads policy Of Com
missioner Gates can be continued, or
better yet, conducted on a larger
scale, if good hotels can be provided
and if Vermont attractions can be
advertised we will get our share OF
the automobile tourist business. We
need big summer hotels, but we also
need a good many comparatively
small ones. If they are to be well
patronized they must be up to date
attractive and accommodating.
A campaign ought to be conduct.
pie that we really want a share Of
the summer tourist trade. The ma
jority of our people are Indifferent
as they are toward many progress
sive ideas. They need to be aroused
to the Importance of this subject ant
to be shown the great revenue we are
losing.
Some missionary work along THU
line is sadly needed, and ought Il
bring good results, if attempted.