Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-08-22
WEST MICHIGAN
PRESS TAKES THEIR
ANNUAL OUTING
NINETY PEOPLE GO ON THREE
DAY TRIP TO CHICAGO-ROY-
ALLY TREATED ENROUTE

Michigan Press association, repreS-
enting seventy-fve weekly papers in
Western Michigan, were guests of
Hotel Browning in Grand Rapids,
The Michigan Railway company, the
Graham a. Morton S. S. line, The
Chicago Herald Land and Industrial
Bureau and the Pere Marquette Rail-
road company, on big three-day
outing to Chicago last week Friday.
A full days entertainment was pro-
vided by the Chicago bureau, assist
ed by the international Harvester
company and the managers of the
Bismarck and Terrace gardens. The
trip was educational in nature and
the travellers were lavishly entertain
ed all the time. Mr.. and Mrs. j. M.
Langston and Ed. ID. Engemann
made the trip from, Belding.
Hotel Browning was the secen of
the get-to-gether session. Along with
registrations and other preliminary
arrangements for the trip, time was
found to look over this splendid new
hostelry in which Grand Rapids has
just pride. Of light brick construc-
ton, fire proof throughout, the struc-
ture stands an appealing style OF
architecture The interior is arrang-
ed in single rooms and suites, each
with its own bath convenience and
free telephone service. No where has
the comfort of its patronage been
overlooked. From the fourth to the
fifth floor, elegance and convenience
combine in an atmosphere of pleasure
and rest. Alvah Brown, president OF
the stock organization and chairman
of the Kent County Good Roads as
sociation, is one of the states most
~nNL,,.,o@.o good rnndc hnncfarG and
the pleasure of motorists is one of
the leading features of the mahage-
ment. Billiard and pool rooms with
a modern barber shop, drug store,
garage and grill room, (the latter
yet unfnished), but emphasized the
thoughtful consideration that char
acterizes the entire hotel structure.
A dining room in connection provides
for either cafeteria or table service,
as patrons prefer. This enables the
travelling public to provide themselves
with luxuries at nominal cost where
the atmosphere of the establishment
is pleasing and home-like. 1t is safe
to say that nowhere else in the state
can the same privileges and comforts
be enjoyed at the very moderate rates
found at Hotel Browning. The loca-
tion is ideal; just out of the busy sec
tion at the corner of Oakes street and
Sheldon avenue and only three
squares from the Union depot. Street
car service but one block away,
makes direct connection with all
steam and railway terminals. Fol-
lowing a dinner in proportion to the
genial hospitality everywhere pres
emit. and at which Mr.. Brown extend
ed a cordial welcome, West Michigan
editors and wives accorded this hos
telry a vote of excellency attained by
merit alone. Departure was then
taken for the first lap of the journey
with Chicago the final goal.
Board Interurban Cars
The Michigan interurban station at
the intersection of Lyon and Lock
streets was in waiting for the news
making delegation. A special train
was provided to carry the scribes
over the very comfortable lines to
Holland. Comfort is one of the OBJ
iective points of effort with this in
terurban line, made possible by
double-tracking many miles and an
especially well-fitted roadbed. In the
sixty minutes required to make the
trip to Holland inspection brought
out several facts of Importance con-
cerning the finest electrical railway
system in Michigan and the largest
in the entire country, The company
has more equipment per mile than the
average steam road. Points-eX
as far as Bay City to the north, De-
troit to the south and interesting
points from lake to lake. The policy
of Safety First" is observed
throughout the workings of the entire
system. Steel coaches transport the
travelling public in day or parlor
coaches, with present indications
promising dining car service at on
distant date. Tickets may be pro-
cured and baggage checked through
over the Michigan Railway lines to
Denver. Los Angeles, Seattle and all
points west of Chicago. Connections
are made with the Graham q Nor
ton boat lines at junction points, leav
ing no cause of worry in making the
transfer, thereby perfecting a
through service, complete in detail
and courteous attention. The trans
portation of freight and express is a
feature of extensive value to the busi-
ness world and leaves a vast field yet
undeveloped for this mode. of transit.
The freight business alone has in
creased largely within the last few
years because of the superior SER
vice 1urnlSned winch really amounts
to express deliveries at freight rates
Shipments are ready for delivery be-
tween points on the system within
IL and "a hours and freight is taken
for all points west, southwest and to
such points east in connection with
the boat lines from Detroit as Cleve-
land, Buffalo and Toledo.
City of Grand Rapids Chartered
Perhaps none of the lake boat lines
enjoy a greater degree of patronage
and popularity than the Graham e.
Morton boats. Although palatial in
equipment, the safety zone standard
ICES workings of the entire line. Boats
of steel construction, wireless, life
boats, comprises the equipment
throughout, engendering a feeling of
pleasure and safety in making the
connecting points. A dining service