Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-07-23
AUTO AND BUSINESS.
Mount Desert Man Thinks They Have
Ruinesi Summer business.

Ruined Summer business.
Charles n. Clement, OF Mt. Deserts in a
letter to the Bangor Nesrs, expresses some
Of his views as TO the auto-tourist bust
ness, and his reasons for wishing the auto
mobile kept out of his town. He writes;
wish to take up the question OF admitting
automobiles into the town Of Mount Desert
which comprises the villages Of otter Greek.
Seal Hareor, Northeast Hsrbos and somcs-
VILE. No doubt In the near futare a special
town meeting will be called to vote on this
question. Now II Is up 10 us to look this
proposition squarcly in the face, not from a
personal, bat from public standpoint
II would be a good idea TO wait and see
what the consequences will be II We aoecp,
the law snd admit automobiles.
Bar Harbor fought the question out last
winter IN the legislature, and got automobiles
admitted into the town OF Eden. Everyb sdy
Immediately went crazy, 40 10 speak. I wit
messed the proceedings at Augusta when the
question came mp, and said 10 some OF the Bar
Harbor people. when you get II coming
your way, everybody will 80 automobile
crazy" Well, they have, and have raised
their business
Now, let Us take warning and vote on this
proposition soherly and with a view 10 bet
teriug ourselves. Dont kill the goose that
lays the golden egg, for ~ everyone knows,
q special town meeting Ia 8 very uncertain
guaranty except TO those that are especially
interested; and we cannot get full vote on
so vital matter - this automobile question.
Our summer visitors, to u man. are opposed
to the admission. How did Mount Desert
get TO be anything but ashias sowns Sim
ply by three men at Seal Harbor and the
Kimbalis at Northeast Harbor starting TO
induce people from .hs cities 70 come here
and make their summer homes.
In 1879 cur valuation cor taxation purposes
was stAs.eoo. Now. In 1918. Jsn- /. IL was q
good deal past the ss.2So.9eo mark. what
made 10 increase fAs.s summer tourists
and city visitors, OF course. When they come,
II there is anything lacking 10 their rooms
AT the hotels, when they ask Tor /. they get
IL; 80 In the cottages; 10 In the motor boats
provided 1t Is q reasonable request.
Now they come to us and ask as as voters 10
keep out automobiles. Why not do u aud
still show by our votes that we appreciate the
business they create. Seal Harbor and
Northeast Harbor both have had a phenome-
nal growth In the last thirty-six years, and q,
is because we left of fishing and worked 10 get
city people here with their money, which
they were willing to spend for the sake o.!
having place where they conid act out Of
the dust and heat and ramhle over our Hills
and through the valleys. Let as show them
our appreciation by keeping cut the gas
wagon.
Perhaps some Of US will have TO modify our
views somewhat. l must confess that l am
in this class probably should have voted
las, spring 10 admit automobiles. but must
admit that, getting down 70 facts IS they are
to-day, feel that la so doing we would strike
q blow At our summer business that would be
too far reaching to see the end Of.
Seal Harbor now has abonf seventy cot
tages. which are all rented but sir. The Sea-
side Ina has i2S guests, the Glen Cove eighty
Eve. aud altogether Seal Harbor IA strictly
''in Il" for this season, IL We don't kill ~ by
our votes.
Northeast Harbor has Just the same pros
poets, only the automobile question has a
strong hold. add Mr.. KimbAll, and no douh,
others with him, seem 20 lose sight OF the
main question that we ought 10 do the great
est good TO the greatest number. Let US take
warning from Bar Harbor, where there are
seventy cottages that are not rented, where
there are but i2s guests in all at six OF the
| leading hotels. where the stable business Is
ruined, and where the stores are being boy
| eosted by the cottasers.
We are told that some Of them go to Bangor
and Ellsworth and do their shopping. Any
| one can see that they ought TO be sick Of their
bargain have grown mp with this improve
ment a. Seal Hsrbor, and ought to know what
| am talking about when ask all iateiligent
voters to go 20 this special town meeting and
vote down this proposition TO admit auto.
mobiles.
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