Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1909-06-17
Seasons Outlook.
INTERVIEWS WITH LEADING Ho-
TEL MEN MOST ENcouRAo-
ING.
caseo Bay islands Evidently Attain.
ing First Place as Maine Resort.

ing First Place as Maine Resort.
The Breeze has interviewed several
of the leading hotel men on each is
land with the intention of getting as
close as possible to the real situation
this season as to advance booking OF
rooms and the general tone of the
business outlook. To say that the re-
suit is satisfactory is only a moderate
statement. BY all the indications it
would seem that, reckoning from the
standpoint of comparisons with 1908
at this time of the month, the hotels
will be earlier filed by at least a
week and that approximately 25f more
people will be housed during the sum-
mer.
To begin with, the Peaks Island sit
uation. though complicated by the
ferry. which may or may not be said
to be detriment to the island as
summer resort, but which surely
tends not to its benefit except as an
accommodation for Portland commu-
ters. is as promising as last year ane
even better. Almost all available cot
tages near Forest City Landing have
been let for the season. There are
very few at Trefethens and Ever
green still unrented. but the demand
from Portland will take these up. 1t
is doubtless true that most of the fur
away summer people will look to the
more secluded islands below for cot
tages.
Speaking of the advance bookings
at the Peaks Island House. Manager
Ralph E. Rowe says that his Western
and New York mail has been heavier
than ever before. The house is prac-
tically booked full for the entire sea-
son and the date of the arrival OF
most of the family parties who have
engaged rooms is at least a week ear
lier than last year. Going down to
Long Island, Mr.. Charles E. Cushing
of the Casco Bay House has had an
excellent mail and is assured of
heavy r season. lyusiaess. ~ Mo .r~z<-
Ponce of the Granite Spring Hotel is
well booked also.
A step further to Cliff Island sees
the Aucocisco House in the same posi-
tion as last year. Mrs. F. G.. Batch
elor, the proprietor says the house
would be comfortably filed IL an addi-
tion equal to the present building
were put on at once.
AT Great Chebeague The Hamilton
usually leads the way with volumes of
business. with Hill Crest a close Sec
ond. Mr.. Edgar II. Paine of the
former. is entering on his second sea-
son as proprietor and reports at least
double the mail of 1908 The other
houses are all we'll booked and in the
same proportion as far as has been
learned to date.
The Merriconeag at South Harps-
we'll has been through several
changes OF management the last few
years. which under ordinary condi-
tions would be detrimental, but no
doubt exists as to the ultimate success
OF Pierce G. Anderson this year, and
their advanced booking has been
equal to and little ahead of 1908
says Mr.. Pierce who. was head clerk
here last year. and knows the amount
OF business done to a nicely.
The Ocean View Hotel at Bailey Is
land the largest house there, is get
ting no less than n more applican-
tians than last year at this time.
while The Robinhood Inn. woodbine
and Seaside are also well booked.
At Littlejohn's Island. The Rock
mere. owned and managed by Mr..
Gilbert n. Hamilton. is steadily prog.
ressing every year as the most popu-
lar inner bay house. Mail has been
heavy this year. Applications have
also been coming we'll at the Melrose
House. These are only few of the
many houses in the Bay but straws
show which way the wind blows.
There Is also to be considered the
railroad reports OF which the Maine
Central and Boston e. Maine are our
nearest sources OF information. The
summer congestion at Portland Union
station has already begun and trains
over the ". e. NJ. system are carrying
fun the number Of cars usually hauled
In July and August.