The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-02-11
GOOD ROADS.
IMPORTANTIN
DEVELOPMENT
North Dakota Will Reap Bene.
fits From Improved Roads,
Says Tracy

mite and far-rcaching road program
Tor the year which will have a won
dcrful effect upon the states COM
mcrcial. agricultural. Industrial and
social life in the future, for good
roads arc powerful factor in the
development Of the state as well as
in bringing people to and through
the state" said A. w. Tracy, secrc-
'tary of the National Parks Highway
association. in commenting on the
value Of the tourist industry to Bis
marck and North Dakota.
THE National Parks Highway tNo.
- is the main artery for travel east
and west across the state. and it is
economically right that it should re-
ceivc the first and greatest amount
of attention by the state highway de-
partment." says Mr.. Tracy. "Thc ne
cessity and Importance Of this is
evidenced by the federal government
designating this as one of tho prin-.
cipal trans-contincntal highways in
its recently approved system. The re-
suits from every standpoint will am
ply justify such action as has been
proven by the states Of Wisconsin
and Minnesota.
Tourist Business Profitable
Minnesota, according to the Ten
Thousand Lakes association, received
from tourists in that state during the
past year more than $59,00O,OOO. Good
roads. together with the great amount
of advertising given the state, has
made this possible. While North
Dakota is not favored with the at
fractions Minnesota has. it is favored
by being on the direct route to the
greatest tourist detectives in the ma
ton and can reap benefits according
to the condition of its roads. Even
with poor roads tourists left in the
state along the points between Fargo
and Beach more than half million
dollars last year. With the entire
highway improved this can be more
than doubled every year. and the re-
turns from such an investment will
be enormous.
"That the tourist traffic is worth
while is shown from a review OF the
traffic through Bismarck last year.
During the season of $50 days, the
daily average. according to the state
highway department. was 21l cars or
81 $50 for the season. These cars
were checked at the Bismarck Man
dan bridge. With the very conscrva-
tive estimate that only onc-third or
1850 stopped at hotels and spent
for such accommodations only $5.OO
a day. this would mean $52,75O. and
with incidentals Of $1.00 a day would
add $lO,55O more or total of SG3,3OO
spent for hotel accommodations.
Investment Pays Large Returns
"Allowing the other two-thirds. or
q 100 cars, AS stopping at tourist
camps at an average of $500 day
and Sl.OO a day for incidcntals, would
add another S63,3OO Gasoline, oils
and repairs at about $500 q day, or
S94.95O. brings the total to 1921 800
spent for the season in and around
Bismarck and Mandan. as this was
one of the principal night stopping
points. The above figures are based
only on a daily average OF $500 and
$500 day per car and not indl-.
viduals. Figuring that the average
tourist took two and half days to;
cross the state, very conservative
estimate Of the amount left in Nortn'
Dakota along the National Parks
Highway in 1925 is $553,875.00. There
is every reason to believe that the
actual amount left here was double
that, or $1.O00,OO0.OO, which would
be wonderful returns on an invest
mcnt Of s4,069.00. which was The
amount North Dakota paid to the
National Parks Highway association
last year towards publicity and adj
vertising Of the highway.
"With a continuation Of the nation
wide campaign which is now under
way and with an improved road clear
across the state. the tourist industry
through this part of the state can be
developed annually into several mil
lion dollars. It is a worthwhile
business. especially as it can be in
creased each year.
All Are Benefited
Tourists bring cash into an agri-
cultural district between seeding and
harvest-and they buy heavily. rec
'ords show. Even the small merch-
ant, taking advantage Of this cash
income. may improve his credit with
wholesalers and jobbcrs and they
in turn benefit through the increased
cash receipts from merchant Gus
toners.
up. S. Williams, secretary Of the
Minneapolis Civic and Commerce as
sociation, declares the cash paid by
tourists who come TO Il state is only
Apart of the benefits to the state
from this source. The man on vacs-
ton is looking things over carefully,
he isn't suspicious, his mind is open.
Nobody is trying to sell him any
thing. He is having good time. He
gets his first impression Of the state
from the roads. Then he sees the
other advantages, lakes. rivers. stores,
industries, farms, colleges, universi-
ties. thriving CONNIE rciaI centers and
modern stores. He sells himself on
the state. H" gets the desire to
come here to live. There are many
business men who first came to the
state as visitors. They brought in