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

hard surfaces. and this accounts In part
for the popularity OF these countries to
the tourist
state should Attract Visitors.
North Carolina should be attracting
ten to a hundred times as many tourists
as it is doing at present. The tourists
want to come and drive and motor
through the State. but we have failed to
give them the good roads that make this
possible.
Considerable thought is being given at
the present time by public-splrited men
in North Carolina to the possibility Of
the construction Of a system OF improved
highways across North Carolina, north
and south and east and west. not only
for the advantage OF tourists coming into
North Carolina. but also that our own
people may be able, with greater facility.
TO reach different portions OF the state.
We want the mountains connected with
the seashOre, and we want all the beauti-
ful and scenic sections Of the state ac-
cessible at all times OF the year. We want
the points Of historical interest connected
by improved roads, so that any one who
wishes may be able 10 visit these places.
There is. perhaps. no one thing that
Will preserve the history OF North Caro-
lima to such a great extent as the making
OF the historical points accessible TO the
tourist. which will mean that they will be
constantly written upon
Coaching Not a Fad.
Coaching and automobiling for pleas
ure is not a fad OF short duration. II is
form Of pleasure that viii be in vogue
for generations and generations. Such
pleasure trips. however. will not be taken
over poor roads. but parties will select
those sections OF the country that are
traversed by good roads. When we have
our system OF good roads throughout the
State we should be able 10 attract tens OF
! thousands Of tourists into the State that
are now going to the White Mountains CT
New Hampshire. the Adirondacks OF New
York. and 10 Switzerland. Northern Italy.
and to France.
Prom business standpoint II would
be most profitable investment to con-
struct these roads. II only for the benefit
OF the tourist. inasmuch as the money
which they would bring into the sections
I traversed By the roads would, in very
few years. more than pay for the whole
cost Of construction.
Hotels VIII Follow
with the construction Of these i'm
proved roads throughout the mountain
Gus countries It viii be no trouble what
ever to find capital ready to construct
hotels and inns at various points along
the line of these improved roads. A farm
er living in their vicinity will find a ready
market for his products
Before the convention the highway en-
gineer Of the North Carolina geological
| and economic survey will spend a month
/ travelling around through the mountains
/ giving talks on good roads, taking I'D
| with the county commissioners the cues
/ ton OF the Improvement OF the roads of
their counties, and will map out approx
Inately different routes where improved
roads can be constructed. so that these
routes can be thoroughly discussed at the
/ convention.
IF you are interested In the construc-
/ ton Of good roads in the Southern Appa-
! lachian Mountains. plan TO attend the
! convention on October 6 and at Ashe-
vile, n. c."