The Washington times., 1915-06-26

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when seven automobiles carrying
thirty-three passengers from Camden,
s. c., to New York City, did not visit
the National Capital en- route. COM
mercial Washington should have chalk
ed up a loss conservatively estimated
at $780," This Is the statement of T..
l.. Ferguson, director of the touring
bureau Of the District OF Columbia Au-
tomobile Club.
Mr.. Fergusons statement was
prompted by an inquiry from one of the
clubs members for Northern touring in
formation for the party. The inquirer.
a Washingtonian, stated that ne in
tended Joining the party, coming North
over the Shenandoah Var pike, at
Hagerstown. Asked why the party did
not visit Washington en- route he de-
clared that this city was not included
In the itinerary because coming here
would necessitate a side trip of many.
miles, IL good roads were followed Tho
wretched condition of a portion of the
road between Richmond and Washing
ton via Fredericksburg, precluded any
thought of traversing that highway,
hence the valley route which, while II
does not permit motor tourists to visit
the National Capital without consider
dDle HllIeape, dHOfUS the maxi
mum of travel comfort for automobile
lists.
while there is hardly a day passes
that does not see several motor tour
lists leave this city out Of their timer
losing of large party like the afore-
mentioned should serve to waken local
merchants-hotel men especially-to the
trade possibilities that lie with touring
"Approximatelv s1oooo ia needed to
improve the Richmond Washington
highway to accommodate automobile
travellers, and plenty of assurance has
been forthcoming that If commercial
this sum with substantial subscrip-
ton. the balance needed Will be
speedily produced.
The volume of. motor touring is
class of patronage that wide-awake
hotel men everywhere are keeping in
mind. The passing of Washington by
the Camden party is an object lesson
well worth study"
c. NJ. Norwood and w. 3. Thompson.
OF Goldsboro, n. c.. were among the
many tourists who visited headquar-
ters of the Automobile Club this
week. They have started for the San
Francisco Exposition in the formers
Cadillac touring car. their transcon-
tinental tour having been prepared
for them by the A. A. A. touring bu-
reau in this city. AS members of the
ton, affiliated with the A. A. A, they
exercised their right to call upon the
Washington bureau for any touring
directions needed.
H. L. Cochran. A. A. member from
San Juan, Porto Rico, was visitor
to headquarters last week Mr..
Cochran. who called for the automo-
bile route from this city to Indian
Lake in the Adirondacks. entertained
club officials and a few members pres
ent with an interesting recital of
| some of his motoring adventures on
the island. Also he manifested a deep
interest in the great work the ma
tional organization of motor car users
is doing for automobilists and the
success with which building of Ma
tional Capital Automobile Club Is
meeting. Mr.. Cochran formerly lived
In this city.
DR.. r. B. Fulton. of Batesville, Va.
who is making a trip in his automo-
bile over Virginia's circular motor
route-Richmond. Staunton. Winches-
ter. Leesburg. Alexandria. Fredericks-
bury, Richmond-visited club head
quarters this week. The doctor de-
clares that when the Richmond Wash
| ington highway is completed the Old
Dominion will have the finest and
| most interesting automobile tour in
the United States. He also believes
that the circular trip will be heavily
patronized-far beyond expectation
and that this city. in its proximity to
the route. will be greatly benefited
commercially.
The following are new members OF
| the club: John B. Geier, s. A. Manuel
L. Wallace Springer. Charles F. War