Evening star., 1920-01-04

Never before in the history of au-
tomobiling has there been such de-
mand for information about touring
conditions as during the past season.
while the outlook for 1920 promises
to break even the record thus estab-
lished," says A. G. Seller. manager of
the touring bureau, American Auto
mobile Association, Riggs building,
Washington. D. c.
'One of the reasons for the in
crease in touring is the removal OF
wartime restrictions. The necessity
for conservation of gasoline. oil,
tires, etc, particularly during the
year preceding the signing of the ar
mistice, naturally resulted in great
curtailment in the use of passenger
cars Patriotic citizens refrained
from using their cars unnecessarily.
because every one knew that a real
shortage of gasoline existed even
after the removal of enforced restric-
tonS.
Autoists Conserved in 1919.
Another reason for the relatively
small amount of touring during 1918
lay in the reluctance of most people
to spend their money too freely
Once the necessity for curtailment Of
expenditures was removed by the
virtual ending of the war many who
had been working under tension for
long period decided to take vaca-
tions.
"Those who were fortunate enough
to possess automobiles naturally
turned to this form of recreation,
with the result that early in the
spring the demand for road maps and
information about routes. hotels, etc,
assumed unprecedented magnitude.
The touring season began as early
as April, increased to enormous pro-
portions by June and through the
summer and fall traffic on the main
routes became almost a procession.
Every section of the country wit
messed the same condition of affairs,
but it was particularly noticeable in
such popular eastern resort regions
as the White mountains the Berk-
shires and the Adirondacks, and at
this season the crowds are drifting
toward Florida.
New England, favorite mecca
for automobilists. due to the excel
lence of it's roads. the beauty of it's
scenery and the prevalence of first
class hotels. saw in the year 1919 a
still further increase in touring. The
completion of several missing links
in the fine chain of macadam state
highways throughout the northeast
ern states had an immediate effect in
stimulating tourist traffic through
that region. Motorists soon learned
that it was possible to make COM
/, picLS ClICuil euCOuH
any dirt roads whatsoever.
"One of the most surprising features
of the seasons touring was the un-
precedented amount of automobile
traffic to points in Canada. Montreal
and Quebec probably received more
motor visitors from the states this
year than in all other previous years
combined, judging from the number
of inquiries received at the A. A. A.
headquarters. Those who went from
New York to Montreal and thence to
Quebec found good roads, provided
they were not too ambitious and were
content to follow the beaten track.
This particular highway is now. in
excellent condition, but for the pres
ent, at least, it stands alone. Ottawa
being isolated; although steps have
been taken to improve the road lead
ing north to that city from Prescott
on the ST. Lawrence river.
Demands for data regarding trans
continental trips assumed a magni-
tude which was truly amazing
throughout the entire season, and the
touring bureau was kept busy lay
ing out tours across the continent,
many motorists having planned to
spend most of the summer on the
road A. L. Westgard, field repre-
sentative for the A. A. Ar and who
has crossed the continent eighteen
times, is stationed at the Washing
ton office ready to plan such trans
continental tours. The scarcity of