Great Falls tribune., 1921-06-19
VANDERBILT URGES MOTORISTS
MAKE TRIP THROUGH MONTANA
Says Commercial Clubs and Newspaper Men
Cordial, Scenery Is Not Monotonous and Ex-
penses Are Reasonable for Excellent Accom-
modations; Stuct First Rain Storm Here.

Cornelious Vanderbilt, Jr., the
worlds riches reporter, who recently
motored through Montana on his way
from New York to Vancouver, B. c.,
writes The Seattle Times that the
type of scenery along the trail to and
through Montana from Wisconsin west
is not mOnotonous and that he had
excellent Accommodations at reasonable
prices. He says that at no time was
there an attempt to overcharge him.
The article for The Seattle Times, was
written from Billings and in part is
as follows:
Billings, Mont, Saturday, June IL.
The second lap Of our transconti-
mental automobile trip was ended by
our arrival here after covering 1889
miles from Chicago in IL days or 6S
hours running time. The entire. mile
age from New York to Billings of
2,615 miles, was covered in approx
mately 11S hours running time.
Montana roads thus far have been
very irregular, with some good stretches
of gravel and some dirt roads, the
worst we have yet found. Much con-
struction, which consisted chiefly of
deep, loose gravel, impeded us. This
could have been avoided by detours,
but did not attempt them as they were
too long. Clay hillcocks along the riy-
ers cause much grade work. These
dirt roads are almost impossible i'm
mediately after rain on account Of
the slippery texture when wet, and
as they dry very rapidly tourists
should by all means stop their jour-
ney until a few hours after rain, as
even four chains do not make driving
very safe.
Fortunately, in the whole trip we
have only encountered one rain heavy
enough to affect roads This occurred
yesterday afternoon near Hysham, but
this morning the roads. although slip
perry, were passable. Yellowstone riv-
er is very high and terrific current
is rushing over everything. BackWa-
ter has flooded two or three feet
above normal in some places. placing
the highway within a few feet of the
turbulent stream. All bridges were
carefully watched in case a higher and
faster current developed.
Driving Heavy Car.
Although our car weights over 500
mounds. we have come in no danger as
vet of being mired Under surface
slipperiness roads are very solid, quite
different from the red clay of the
Carolinas. so tourists should not fear
bringing heavy cars over the parks
highways. Ferrying over the Missouri
river at Bismarck is very safe on q
large flat bottom motor boat which
carries several cars, even though the
stream is swift
The type Of scenery along this trail
from Wisconsin west is not monoton-
Gus as it changes daily and accommo-
dations have been excellent almost ev-
cry night and at very reasonable rates,
with food as good as anywhere IN the
Every night but one we have
had room and bath. Expenses Of this
trip are extremely reasonable thus far.
We have always asked for the best ac-
cornmodations possible and room and
all meals daily have averaged S4.30
apolis expenses have not been included
in this average. as we remained over
in these localities for few days.
In Wisconsin gas was 22o cents
gallon and increased in price daily un-
til in Montana it reached 30 cents. Oil
ranges relatively. At no time has any
one overcharged US in the least. though
we seldom ask the price in advance
and everybody has been courteous,
both employees and natives along the
route.
Commercial clubs and newspaper men
are most accommodating and wide
awake. We have met a considerable
number of tourists since entering
Montana and with hardly an excep-
ton all those with whom we have
spoken are camping with entire fam
lilies. At the rate we have seen con-
struction, this highway promises to be
entirely graded and surfaced within
three or four years
Reach Washington Soon.
In order these are places in which
we have spent night from Chicago
west: Lake Geneva. Kilbourne, La
Crosse. Minneapolis. Alexandria. Far
60, Bismarck, Dickinson. Miles City,
Hysham. We were benighted here on