Arizona republican., 1918-05-12

That good roads development had a great impetus during 1917 is evident from a statement by the data depart ment of the Automobile Blue Books, whose experts compiled the road data for the 1918 volumes-now ready for the motor tourist. New roads, the reconstruction of old ones, and the reclamation of many others that formerly were impossible compelled the redrafting of 7,103 miles of roads for the new Blue Books. The magnitude of the vast improve ment on these roads is better under stood when it is brought to mind that utilization of federal and state gov- ernments was responsible for the ex- penditure of almost $120000,000 for highways betterment last year. Be- sides this, the establishment of many national army and national guard can- comments was followed almost imme- diately by the construction of addition al hundreds of new highways direct to the camps.
 Cantonments Included Special routes to all of the canton ments have been included in the new volumes. The logging of these roads was in most cases made from cities nearest to which the camps are located so that the tourist who plans to visit any of them need only take his Blue Book way to the large city near the cantonment to find the same volume detailed guidance to the camp which | has his particular interest.
 The new books total in excess of | 415,000 miles of minute roads data, charts and maps. The graphic detail which tells the motorist at what speed ometer mileage he should turn right, cross railroad, pass stone church on l left, or continue straightaway past yellow school house is more informa- tive than even the previous intensive effort of these pathfinds has made it. Points of Interest | Points of interest notes have been 1 increased threefold. Whether local beauty, historic interest or sports will | induce his spending any considerable part of his time in town may readily be learned by the metorist long before he starts on tour by reference to this department, which is more compre- hensive than ever. These notes are so keyed that in each instance they are on the same page as that on which the route through a town is given.
 Maps
 The maps have been completely re- vised. Hundreds of new ones have been added and besides the redraftings of old ones, most of them have been enlarged, new detail added and larger area covered.
 Head Notes
 | Head notes are a feature. They summarize in short paragraphs the kind of road, how much of it is tra- l 0f %1a hilly, mountainous, or 1evel-and which sections are difficult or impass- able. They tell the motorist at a glance what the trip will probably hold in riding comfort and fuel expense, whether hilly, mountainous or level- and which sections are difficult or i'm passable. They tell the motorist at a glance what the trip will probably hold in riding comfort and fuel expense, whether he will have boulevard or diff ficult country road to traverse. | Garages, Stations, Hotels
 Garages, service stations, and hotels have been classified in a special index, an evenings reference to which makes it possible for the moIorist to arrange the details of all the tours he plans for the summer. And when he is touring, the location of the nearest garage, ho- tel or service station is always appar- ent. An instant's glance tells him how close he is to that one of the three which, in an exigency, he may need to reach quickly.
 Population of Towns
 Population of towns, their altitude and their situation as regards scenic or other charm are also indicated.
 Automobile laws and traffic regula- tions of various states and cities are incorporated. They keep the traveller in constant touch with what civil and state authorities will require of him.
 Path Finding
 That the work of the pathfindine crews, map and data men was most through, is at once apparent when one opens any of the new Blue Books, ano that the compilation of information carried the organization well beyond mid March of this year is not surpris- ing considering the results in the 191s volumes.
 Volume g, just added to the series and which last year was part of vol [ ume Springs the total number t, eleven special territories covered fol the motorists guidance
 The new volumes are divided as fol lows:
 Volume New York state and ad jacent Canada, including Long Island and adjacent states as far as New ! Haven, Danbury and Waterbury Conn; Pittsfield, Mass: Rutland anc Burlington Vt; Cleveland, Ohio Pittsburg, Wilkes Barre, Scranton ant Delaware Water Gap. Pa: TrAnton