The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-11-18

| 1t il needless to say that no other
city in the United States can present
such a varied number of attractions
for the visitor. Washington offers
magnificent public buildings, broad
avenues, spacious parks, all, perhaps
unequaled in the world. The world
accepts the invitation extended, as the
constantly increasing influx of visi-
tors testifies.
AS the real convention center of the
United States, and mecca for foreign
delegates from all parts of the world,
the city entertains thousands of tour
lists every year. A large percentage
OF these visitors visit Gettysburg. A
few years ago, when Washington wit
messed the gathering of the Grand
Army of the Republic, 100000 old SOL
diers made the journey to the historic
battlefield.
But at what a cost Leaving the
city in the morning, with uncertain
train connections at several points,
the visitors were given scarce an hour
to look at this wonderful expanse Of
ground where, fifty years ago, they
had fought a battle destined to 20
down in history as the bloodiest, and
saddest conflict. Within few months
it will be- possible to transport like
number OF visitors by an eighty mile
trip without a change of cars. "f'
Gettysburg itself IL now city ap-
proximating 5000 population. Here
on the first three days of July, 1863,
was fought the crucial battle OF the
war between the States. The battle
field covers an area Of nearly four
square miles, now by government and
4 A0I Sv,%@
tional park. 1t is little changed from
its appearance fifty years ago. The
headquarters OF Gen. Meade, and the
house from which he directed the
movements of the Yankee forces still
stands, as does the old stone house
where Gen. Lee slowly watched his
forces hold their defense to the last.
The intermediate country Is, with
the exception of Baltimore county,
the wealthiest section of Maryland.
Westminster, situated about half way
between the terminal points, is the
county seat of Carroll county, and the
richest town in the State, excepting
Baltimore The farmers are indus
triOus and prosperous. Their lands
are fertile, and their only difficulty
under present conditions is that of be-
ing forced to carry their products ten
and twenty miles over country to an
available transportation point. Along
the line are such other prosperous
communities a. Sandy Spring, Lay
louisville, Mount Airy, Myersville,
Westminster, Littlestown and Two
Taverns. I'm total, some eighty sta
tions and post-offfces will be touched.
The commercial side of the under
taking l. one that by the most casual
investigation is shown to be most i'm
portant The United States census
reports for the, present year not be
ing available in their entirety, compu-
tation il necessarily made from sta
v tistics ten years old. But even by the
1900 figures the computations of farm
products annually produced in the
section included seven miles to each
Y. side of the road is shown to be valued
i at $22,172;150. The value OF, farm pro-
ducts shipped, as hauled fifteen miles
over poor country roads to the pres
ent existing railroads, amounts to
more than $1,000 900. aya,ys !.
y AT. Westminster II an extensive
quarry. of building stone, almost abr
n golutely undeveloped. IA few years