The sun., 1919-04-13

he VIII encounter between the Rocky
Mountains and the Pacific coast.
wherever water can be turned on
the ao-called desert land he will see
crops OF wheat and potatoes, fruit and
vegetables that will far surpass the yield
per ,acre OF his Eastern farm. And
what Is more he will scracely ever be
out OF view OF another automobile &C.
cupied by man and his family travel
ling TO see the country"
Truth Il SPREADING.
I'm glad to say. however. that the
truth at last is beginning to penetrate.
Scarcely a day passes but what inquiries
are received at A. A. A. headquarters
about this very subject.
Here is a quotation from letter from
one OF our members:
II am very glad to become a mem
Der and am sure that you will now
help two girls who are going on a long
tour to Yellowstone Park first, then to
Los Angeles. Cal, as our destination.
We are rather bewildered when we
think OF It. but are determined to try
It."
This letter brings out an aspect OF the
situation which is most interesting. I
refer to the fact that a constantly in
creasing number OF trips OF this sort are
being made by women without male
escorts II Is evident that the wild and
woolly West Of former days has become
only memory when unattended women
feel safe TO take trips Of several thous-
and miles in length in the widest and
least populated sections of the country.
have dwelt somewhat at length on
the features enumerated above because
I honestly believe that this particular
NJ
one which needs and deserves the great
est amount Of publicity II Is not my In
tention to give the impression that such
trips ae free from difficulties but merely
to convey the idea that such difficulties
are not nearly as overwhelming as many
believe to be the case. Bad stretches
will he found IN various places, but there
are a surprising number OF good roads
also and much additional road improve
ment Is being contemplated COR the COM
ing season.
As regards the touring in the Eastern
States. there Is very little which can
be said at this time having a direct
bearing on the situation. This IL mainly
the result Of the lack Of activity in high
way improvements due to the exigen-
cies of war requirements. The State
| and county engineers have as rule
contented Themselves during the las,
year in maintaining the trunk roads In
fairly presentable state. This has
| been by no means an easy problem. as
large number Of motor trucks have
been travelling over these routes during
| the last twelve months
In view OF the existing situation there
fore II would be Wise for all tourists
who are contemplating trips OF no mat.
ter what length. to secure UP to the
| minute information about the roads over
! which they propose to travel. Other
wise they will most certainly come "a
grief. for they will find that roads which
they supposed to be in excellent condi-
ton have been literally cut to piece.
since they last travelled over them,
while other roads which formerly they
would never have dreamed OF using are
now the only ones available.
On the wholS the outlook for the com.
ing season is most promising and fee
Justified in predicting "A revival OF tour.
| ing which will surpass even the record
made in the days before the war.