Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-05-08

It is quite probable that in the annals of
advertising and exploitation the world over,
nothing ha semanated from the fertile Imagl-
nothin ghas emanated from the fertile lmagl-
ness the vision of cooperative effort that has
since evolved from nebulous and, we might
say in the light of experience, abortive Ell
fort, into the crystalization of the units
comprising this Association to a full, com
plete and harmonious organization for mu-
tual and unselfsh development. Certainly
nothing to equal it is In operation In our age
and time in the civilized world and it is not
exceeding the truth to affirm that its exist
ence has fully justified the hopes that
brought it into existence, and has opened up
avenues of effort that, in all probability,
never occurred to those responsible for its
birth.
The fame of the tender beauty of this re-
Rion so afectionately designated "The Land
of The Sky was, prior to organized effort
to make its attr~activeness known in q world
wide manner, carried abroad by those who,
in their undirected wanderings and search
ings after the beautiful, or the unusual in
nature, CHANGED upon this garden spot OF the
world, and for a century past their steadfast
love for its climate and scenery have proved
q magnet to draw them back year after year
to spend a period of rest and inspiration In
the solitude of it's mountains and valleys.
Each recurring season has seen increasing In
terest by the outside world in this favored
resting place for tired and worn jewellers. In
the large centers Of civilization, and their ap-
probation of its charms brought necessity for
suitable accommodation, which has grown
steadily until the privilege of catering to
these visitors took upon itself the nature or
a distinct, p~leasnrsble, and remnnerstlve .oc-
cupation, with the result that a strong CON-
petitiye spirit took hold upon those engaged
in this occupation, and the various towns
comprised j nthe seven counties subsequent
lyunited by the bonds of the Association be-
came, by the very nature OF circumstances,
antagonistic, and as a result retarded, IN
stead of increasing, development.
Tt is not unreasonable to say that there IS
not massed together in any one section of our
Ou1GCu OGdOO0 q 0G4OONA - ONAS
ing $50 miles, that embraces within its bord-
ers such a Investigation of enhancing seen
cry, or one that possesses a climate OF such
benevolent character at any and every season
of the year, as is possessed by The Land OF
The Sky and the permanent dwellers IN
this paradise have in the past often express
ed wonder that its beauties and benefits had
- - 1881 100 18Th Orootor ouI6ifv
even to the extent of congestion by those
seeking more equable climatic, as well as
more beautiful physical, conditions, and the
failure of the fondest hopes of those who
love its beauty brought together many prom
nent citizens in an effort to devise means
whereby a campaign of cooperative educa-
ton Of the outside world would bring to this
beloved land that appreciation and develop
ment that, in their well justified opinion, it
most heartily merited.
The first definite and tangible step taken
with a view to crystalizing the various int1u-
ences at work for the exploitation and .devel-
opment of "The Land of TIL Sky" probably
dates back some five or six years ago, when
at a meeting of the Board of Trade of Ashe-
vile, cd1eO specially dL Tie EeQuceG VI WI ~
S. Powell, then president of the Board, and
embracing such prominent interested parties
as Mr.. W. W. Finley, President of the South
ern Railway, Mr.. S. Fl. Hardwick, Mr.M. v.
Richards and other officials Of the road, as
well as many prominent and influential citi-
zens Of the counties of B~uncombe, Haywood,
Henderson, jackson, Madison, Transylvania
Eo-l Dill Abo fc~vo o41no of on toSc0aIafi0n tn
work along strictly cooperative lines, elm
mating the element of competition, was
strongly advocated, and heartily endorsed by
MIR. Finley andt those present. But It was
not until the fall of 1911 that active steps
were finally taken to bring into existence the