The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-22

Asheville, n. c.. Aug. flew things
have happened in this generation TO
arouse more thoroughly the Middle South
than the proposed newspaper endurance
run Of automobiles that VIII be pulled on
this fall The coming OF the scout cars
to spy out the way has suficed 20 call
the attention OF the States oentering
around Atlanta to the inadequacy OF
their roads and the need OF their i'm
provement
Road sentiment has been gaining head
way in the South for fifteen years. In
widely scattered localities it has worked
out practically in improved highways.
This coming Of the scout cars and the
discussion which ensued over the route
10 be chosen was precisely what was
needed 70 set match TO the confiagra-
ton Of good-road sentiment which is now
ahame throughout the Lower Appalach-
ian region.
state Survey Issues Gail.
The state geological survey has taken
official notice Of the conditions existing
here and has sent out call for the meet
ing to be held in this city in October. The
call is in the nature OF a bulletin, and
has g much larger significance than is
usually attached 10 such a call for such a
gathering II amounts TO proclamation
OF the people OF North Carolina and Will
surely be read with interest by those In
terested in rural road development in all
parts OF the Southern states. The call
follows:
HrrHr-- IL nar.a Ia
on October s and Z, 1909. a convention
which will be OF as much Importance to
the Southern Appalachian section Of the
country as any of the many conventions
that have been held in that city.
This will be a good roads convention.
whose object and purpose is to stimulate
and provide ways and means for the con-
struction OF two 20 three hundred miles
OF improved roads throughout the South
ern Appalachian Mountains, with con-
Meeting macadam roads extending down
into the Piedmont section.
Large Area Inaccessible.
AT the present time a large area Of our
mountain region is practically inaccessi-
BILE to the tourist and pleasure-seeker,
and during certain months Of the year is
Inaccessible to the people living in the
mountains. 1t Is TO remedy this evil and
to make all parts OF the mountains ac-
cessible at all times OF the year that this
convention has been called.
1T will be held under the auspices OF
the North Carolina Good Roads Associa-
ton. the East Tennessee Good Roads As
ISOLATION. and the North Carolina geolog-
zeal and economic survey Special invi-
tations have been sent out to the COVER
nOrs Of South Carolina. Georgia. Tonnes
see. North Carolina, and Virginia; TO the
mayors of the leading cities Of the Pied
mont sections OF these States; 10 all the
county commissioners Of the mountain
countries: TO the presidents of the boards
of trade and chambers Of commerce In
the leading cities OF the Piedmont and
mountain regions OF the States mentioned
above.
1T is not only the people OF the South
ern Appalachian states that are interest
ed IN this movement, but people from the
extreme South. throughout the North At
lantic States, and the Middle West are
interested in seeing this wonderfully
beautiful mountain country accessible for
coaching parties.
Has Gne Natural scenery
THE Southern Appalachian Mountain
IeklOU Is AllOSL AANAlAg oAElAANu Will AAAbeE
natural attractions that are demanded by
tourists, but we lack the one great neces-
sity that will make these natural attrac-
tons available, namely, good roads.
The tourist trade IS a most vital asset
10 many European countries. and the
American tourist is adding a very large
amount TO this income Of those countries.
A considerable part Of this could be
brought into the Southern Appalachian
country If this section would do its part
toward making It's natural attractions
accessible
"A German statistician gives these fig
ures regarding the value Of the tourist
trade 10 certain OF the European coun-
tries:
Switzerland entertains during the year
100000 visitors. who spend S300O0.00O
Italy. the Riviera, and Spain between
them receive $6O.000O0O from their visitors.
The various great capitals receive $685.
100000 by entertaining their visitors, 900. 900
Of whom visit Paris. 100000 visit London.
oo0O0 visit Berlin. and $4,000 visit Wen
ma, &c, over the continent. The seaside
and lake resorts receive upward OF S16,-
100000 from their visitors.
The interior districts OF England
France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and
Holland are oil accessible, even 10 the
most remote villages. over roads with