New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-24
BETTER ROADS WILL
BRING TOURING ERA
Time Is Ripe to Vie with
Europe for Millions
Spent by Motorists.

For every month or year the
European war lasts it will take double
the time, at the very least, to restore
the highways to a condition that Will
make them attractive to American
automobile tourists, in the opinion Of
jefferson De Mont Thompson. a prom
inent New York motorist, who has
toured in nearly every country in ku-
rope.
Mr.. Thompson is an expert in the
matter Of touring for recreation. lie
has travelled over the greater part OF
the Continent in motor car, making
an extensive tour every year for nine
or ten years. His car was Grated for
shipment carly last August, but his
plans we're upset by the outbreak OF the
war. Instead of going abroad he spent
two or three months touring in the
East, and his comparisons Of motoring
conditions here and in Europe are in
tereSting.
ut is all very well TO talk patri-
otically of the duty of motorists to see
America first and to spend their money
at home. but il is a fact that this coun-
try does not offer the tourist either the
roads or the accomm odations that could
he found. up to a few months ago. IN
Europe" Mr. Thompson said few days
"Bv touring | do not mean days
trim into the country and back, but a
Journey Of weeks-of long jumps be
tween cities. Burope has offered the
tourist a network Of good roads IN
every direction: here we have hun
dreds of stretches of good roads, but
without continuity. | know of no place
where there can be found even 200
miles of straight macadam; abroad the
tourist can find unbroken macadam
day after day. Up to last August the
run between London and Berlin via
Paris, a distance of 600 or 500 miles,
could be made over nearly perfect
roads. All the great national routes OF
France and the main roads of Germany
are of the same kind.
"What is needed in the United
States is a concerted effort 10 link up
the highways, so as TO provide contln-
nous routes, if the many millions Of
dollars annually spent by Automobiles
i'm Europe are 10 be diverted to TINS
country. Now is the time, while condi-
tions abroad are chaotic, TO improve
the highway systems 10 point where
they will compare favorably with those
of Europe. Then, when Europe Is again
in condition 20 bid for the trade OF
American tourists. she will find the
United States bidding for the same
advantages.
"The Lincoln Highway is wonder
ful idea. ! have not been over the
route, but / have no doubt that II Is
good and bad in spots, just like all our
other main routes. Some day. OF
course, it will realize the dream Of its
founders. The so-called National High
way to Atlanta, | understand, is almost
impossible in places at certain seasons
of the year.
az do not believe that America fully
realizes the advantages that will fol-
/ low the general betterment Of its
roads system. In my opinion the buy
/ ing of large estates on Long Island and
the building of magnificent country
residences by very wealthy men fol-
| lowed as a direct result of the i'm
movement of the highways in that
section; and that, by the way. was be-
onn when the Vanderbilt Cup was
Taced for in the carly years. Long ISL
and owes much TO that trophy.
"Cive the motorists chance 70 see
this country under the best conditions
and they cannot help liking II. Ia
many cases, have no doubt, they. will
do as | have done For years ! had had
preiudice against New Jersey but
n,hen I was prevented (rom going %
Tnrone in August began TO tour
arnnnd home, and discovered the
Laoutv Of the Lake Hopatcong region.
8s result / have bought a small
nIsce nm the lake front and viii build a
s,,,,yrer home there. The same invest
nont might have been made IN any
"ma If dozens Of other places ana
u"rv such undoubtedly would be made made
H." notorists if conditions were sueh
~ 70 call them to the country gen
orally t.rro cities the
Ar,or;can hotel, either IN Sollliv 10
sarve food at its best or IN cleanliness me-
49, not compare with the slmll lSI
Lace i'm Europe. Those iaults 49, -
h rrobsblv be remcdied, however. II 'ht
polpme of touring were greater, As y,
wnuid be IL the Americans VINO you,
sbrosd could be induced to get our anu
see the scenery We have a. nome