Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-09-11
AUTOS FOR BAR HARBoRg
Bound to come, according to Charles
j. Glidden.


j. Glidden.
According to c. J. Glidden, one Of tins
| worlds most enthusiastic and darlne
automobilists, several hundred cars viii
be seen on Mt. Desert island before ths
close of 1918.
Writing 10 the Boston Globe Mr.. Gid
den, after describing restrictive measures
IN many foreign lands, says: sForeigE
countries were not alone in barring the
automobile from their roads, and some
sections of America have acted unwisely
in this direction, none more so than thi:
famous health resort of Der Haebor, moi
unlike some sections OF the west COST oi
Scotland Ia climate and scenery.
"During The past i've years business has
slowly fallen OF, and cottages built fos
rent are idle or occupied at much lower
prices, while the hotels are not filed Is In
the past when 1900 or more transfer,
guests occupied them. There are also
fewer yachts in the harbor.
"All this I attribute to the action of the
authorities in keeping out the automo-
bile, as hotels on the automobile routes
are well filed and enjoying prosperous
season. 1t certainly cannot be assigned to
any other cause, as the beautiful scenery
has not changed, and Bar Hsrbor and the
surrounding country will always hold first
place among the charming spots Of the
world.
There is in Bar Harbor, not counting
the city streets. 10 miles of good road
now trsversed by some 600 public vehicles,
not including the large number OF private
conveyances. To this can be added 2so
miles OF good road in the adjoining towns
on Mt. Desert island.
"The people are longing for the return
OF good old times and the entry OF the
automobile, which can be accomplished
only by an act OF the legislature during
the coming winter.
SIN 1910 and 1911 the town voted against
admitting tbs automobile, but in March
of this year fully 50 per cent OF the people
voted to ask the legislature to repeal the
act, aud 1918 will see motor cars running
over the various roads OF the entire island
and through every village.
THE roads, while narrow in some
places, are suitable for the automobile
limited to a speed OF twenty five miles per
hour, but on the short curves and through
the villages the cautious and sensible
motorist will reduce speed TO twelve or
less hourly.
"New York and Boston tourists will
follow the welI-cbsrted routes to Els
worth, then over the old stage route On a
fair dirt road to Trenton, eleven miles,
bridge, bearing left, practically following
the coast line via Eden, Salisbury Cove,
Hull's Cove, to Bar Harbor, a distance OF
nine miles, or twenty miles from Els
worth.
at was my privilege to drive over this
road. Psrt of it is State road and the
remainder one OF the best for motoring,
perfectly safe for the largest touring car
An average speed OF twenty miles per
hour can safely be maintained all the way
from Eilswort to Bar Harbor.
'sGreat enthusiasm prevails here over
the prospects Of the roads being opened
to the automobile in 1918, and several cars
are now on the island, tuned up now and
then in a garage and occasionally during
the wee small hours OF the morning q
short run is made, but the liability OF q
20 tine and court record prevents q
greater violation OF the law.
''On my run to the bridge, my host. MIR.
Roberts, of the Newport, two miles from
the bridge, took his car from stable and
in it the drive was finished. Returning to
the stable, the car was left and we re-
turned by horse power, but the car wa
run in open territory in the town OF Ire
mont.
"Bar Hsrbor people will give the auto
mobile royal reception. Special roads
are under consideration to the summit
of Green mountain, 1,50o feet high, by g
grade not exceeding 10 per cent. Many
roads will be widened, and, where nec-
essary, bridges widened and strengthened
and before the season opens next year Mt
Desert leland will be added to the auto
mobile wo-id.
San invitation viii be sent to the
National association and the Bay State
association to run the big tours here in
1913, and special arrangements will b.
made for ell who participate
"The railroad is considering the erec-
ton Of large modern hotel on the water
front, in anticipation of large travel
here by automobile. Local people will
buy about fifty cars, and all the out Of
town residents will come here in the auto
mobile, and il is estimated several hum
dred cars will be seen on the island be-
fore the close Of 1872