The sun., 1919-04-13
TOURISTS BY MOTOR
GO FURTHER AFIELD
Big Increase in Trips to West
Is Predicted by an
Expert.
by l.. A. DICKINSON,

Manaoer A. 4. A. Metropolitan Divtston
Touring Bureau.
The outstanding feature as regards
the probable motoring conditions for the
coming season, in my opinion, relates to
the ever increasing tendency on the
part OF the motoring public to 60 fur
Their and further afleld In search OF In
terestiny things to see. The slogan.
"See America First" Is at last begin
ming to bear fruit in the greater
increased demand for information rela-
tive to touring conditions throughout
the entire Western portion of the coun-
try.
The inability OF motorists OF means to
take their cars to Europe. as was the
almost universal custom prior to the
outbreak of the war. has made It neces-
sary for them to confine their touring
to this country. As a result. thousands
Of motor car owners are beginning to
realize at last that America has no peer
as q scenic playground. Not only can
this country duplicate practically every
thing in the way Of mountains and lake
scenery which Is to be found In the Alps
or the Highlands OF Scotland, but also
Il has many features which are peculiar
to itself.
Attraction All Our own.
Where, for instance, is 1t possible to
md a replica OF the far famed petrified
forest in Arizona, or the prehistoric cliff
dwellings which dot that section Of the
country? The Grand Canyon OF the
Colorado River certainly needs no intro
duction to any one who has studied his
school geography. while nearly every
one has either seen depicted or heard
described the geysers in Yellowstone
Park, and the glaciers in Glacier Ma
tional Park
without attempting TO go further into
details in this connection. I can state
unreservedly that the demand for in
formation about the motoring possfbili-
ties through the West Is increasing to
a most gratifying degree. I say crafty
ing advisedly because I am firmly OF the
opinion that once the imaginary diff
culties attendant upon touring in that
region are dissipated In the minds OF
the general motoring public, there Is
bound to be stupendous migration west
ward.
This is particularly true of the coming
season. because as soon as the devas-
tated regions of France, Belgium and
italy are thrown open to the public there
will OF course be a rush of tourists to
that region. 1t is quite fair TO assume,
however that this condition will not
obtain during the touring season of
1919; in the meantime IL would be well
for those motorists who wish to visit
rev regions to become acquainted with
some facts about the territory west OF
the Mississippi.
find that there exists in the minds OF
great majority of the tourists an an
reasoning dread of what has been UNI
fortunately designated the Great Ameri-
can Desert. Time and again members
who have visited our touring bureau for
the purpose OF securing detailed infor-
nation about the possibilities of trans
continental touring have expressed them
selves as being fearful that the crossing
Of this desert is matter involving
unusual dangers and difficulties.
What 1t Is and Isn't.
As Secretary w. D. Rishel OF the Utah
state Automobile Association has very
aptly said:
THE average motorist has visions
Of miles and miles of sand with almost
unbearable heat through which he mus,
push his way to reach the Pacific Ocean
Tie has read columns and columns OF
press agent slush where this ear OF
that truck made the trip after hard
ships worse than could be found on the
western front and that the driver came
through alive due only to the strong
construction OF the particular car he
drove or the make of tires the car had
on or the kind Of lubricating oil he used
NOW. what are the actual conditions
The tourist can follow any one of the
central routes and have a bed to sleep II
under roof every night. He can 81
down to a table to eat three meals &
day. He will find gasolene, a garag,
and automobile supplies at frequent in
tervals or as often as he needs them
The lighter he Is equipped the faster time
he can make Instead OF heat he will flnC