The Washington times., 1915-10-30
Plan Similar to That Adopted by
New England to Be Put Into
Effect Here.
MUCH PROFIT IS EXPECTED
Many Points Of Interest on
Route Selected for Motor
Trip Of Vicinity.

heard OF 1.-The Ideal Tour" the famous
motor route through scenic and historic
New England. 1t Is a conservative es-
innate that 1,OOO1OO motorists have ira
,versed its length since 1t came into ex-
istcnce and that as many others have
expressed a desire to do so-and will
sooner or later.
Shortly after Now England began to
realize the benefits sccruing to the COM
munities having good roads. a plan was
formulated to exploit the fact that
New Englands roads were Of the best
and that New England's scenic attrac-
tions were unsurpassed. Idea was add
ed to idea until out OF a mass Of ideas
came 1.-The Idea Tour The automobile
clubs of the North Atlantic country.
aided by the newspapers OF the section,
worked tirelsssly to perfect 1t.
TO sign-mark highways. improve bad
stretches of road and circulate litera-
ture over the country. money was
needed. 1t was natural that this should
be supplied by those the tour would
bsneiit In the largest degree. Every:
one helped. All OF those who would
benefit directly and indirectly. and those
whose hearts were full Of community
pride lent aid.
Immeasurable Profit.
That was several years ago. New
England has since profited immeasur-
ably through advertising the fact that
It had good roads and charming
scenery. Since then other sections OF
the United States have established well
defined motor tours under one name or
another and each has proven highly
profitable to the commercial interests
OF the towns through which the tour
home cherishing the memory OF pleas
ant automobile tour, over good roads
through interesting country.
After months of planning, followed by
months of noiseless preparation WORK.
which included traversing practically
every foot Of highway In tine country
surrounding the District, the writing OF
thousands Of letters to secure co-opera-
ton, the sign-marking of many miles
of highway, and the making and the re-
making Of the most comprehensive au-
tomobie road map yet produced by the
American Automobile Association. The
Capital Tour" destined to accomplish
for the country conti%gTSus % TO-. TO- the ToMn1 Ma
has done for New England. Is about to
receive Its final o. X. from the men who
have worked tirelessly to bring u into
being. 49,
Final Tour Made.
Last Thursday morning an automo-
bile carrying T. A. Mckee. secretary OF
the Washington Hotel Mems Associa-
ton: W. r. Lucas. secretary of the
Southern Hotel Mems Association. and
Il. l.. Ferguson. touring director or the
American Automobile Association. left
Washington to cover this route. This
Is the final tour of inspection. after
which it will be officially approved and
literature and maps released to the
The Capital Tour Association. which,
IN conjunction with the A. a. A.. pro-
NOTED The tour. Is composed OF the
prominent hotel owners OF the cities
through which the route passes:
ing OF the map OF the Capital tour
have been largely in the hands OF the
touring department of the local auto
mobile club. Those who have been
formation upon the work accomplished
are strong In their praise OF the new
tour and proclaim it splendid work.
Extra Effort Needed.
During the winter season extra cf-
fort should be made by every loyal
Washingtonian to exploit the Capital
tour. The newspapers OF the cities
on the route will cooperate to this end
and 1t is expected that before the next
touring season Is in full blast every
motorist In the United States will have
heard of the charms OF the country
through which the route passes.
Especial attention will be drawn to
the fine highways, the peaceful valley
scenes. the mountain grandeur. the bat
tlehelds of history and lastly. but not
by any means least. the National Capt.
tai IN this work the District AutOmo-
bile Club, through its official publica-
ton the American Motorist. which cir
culates throughout the civilized world.
viii be an important factor.
If everyone Interested In the welfare
Of the Capital City will lend his aid.
commercial Washington may look for
ward to a lively summer in 1916.
Points of Interest.
Some of the points of interest along
the route OF the Capital tour are the
Caverns of Luray. the Gettysburg Bat
tlefeld. the Natural Bridge of Virginia
the Grottoes Of the Shenandoah, Old
Point Comfort, Hampton Roads, where
the Monitor and the Merrimac fought:
jamestown. founded In 1907: Yorktown.
whore CORVALLIS surrendered; Appo-
mattox. where Lee surrendered: historic
Winchester. the Home of Barbara
Freitchie. the Peaks OF otter. the bat
tlenelds Of the wilderness, Chancellors-
vile. Salem Church. Spottsylvania
Court House. Bloody Angle and
Maryes Heights. Hot Springs. White
Sulphur Springs, w. Va: the Valley OF
the Shenandoah. the Blue Ridge Noun
tans, Harpers Ferry. and Antietam
battlefield.