The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-12-16
TEN THOUSAND LAKES SECRETARY
ENDORSES PAID TOURIST CAMPS

ENDORSES PAID TOURIST CAMPS
The Tourist Camp, and its proper maintenance,
is problem particularly to the centers of popua-
ton in the lake region of Minnesota
Samk Centre established Tourist Camp sew
eral years ago and it has been maintained by the
city. 1t is beautifully located on the shore of
Sank Lake, close to the city and to the Golf
Course Hundreds of tourists linger longer than
a few hours or over night every year. Generally
speaking the business of the community be-
lieve the Tourist Camp is profitable investment
for the city. For some time the Herald editor has
been convinced that camp at which nominal
charge was made would give the best satisfaction.
This decision was arrived ait after talking with
tourists visiting Sank Centre, and through period
icals.
In his report of the activities of the Ten
Thousand Lakes Association which Secretary Ho-
falling presented to the annual meeting held ait the
Ryan Hotel, St. Paul, Dec. Is, he discussed the
Tourist Camp problems. He is sold the idea that
+'paid" camps give the Dissatisfaction to the
tourist and to the community Mr.. Hotaling in
his report says
For a number of years the Ten Thousand Lakes
Association has been endeavoring to find solution
of the tourist camp problem and in its annual
QUESTIONABLE has asked the resorts to report the
actual effect of the tourist camp their business
This year los resorts reported definitely on
the tourist camp proposition and the figures which
they give indeed interesting. Of the los
porting, 80 claim that the camp is detriment; so
report that it has effect whatever and Is say
that it helps their business.
These figures would indicate an overwhelm-
ing majority in favor of the tourist camp, but
examination of the reports themselves would indi-
cate that tourist camps in different parts of the
state, operated in different manners have varied
effect on the resort owners The opposition to the
tourist camps comes largely from section of
the state, and section where there large
number of resorts. Many of these resorts are old
established institutions, operated by experienced
and should he able to determine whether the
tourist camps actually affect their business.
Of the Is who say that the tourist camp helps
their business number of resorts operate their
own camps. The tourist camp they claim, increases
the revenue they receive from their boats. 1t also
increases the sales in their stores. The SO who
claim THAT their business is not affected make little
comment.
There number of tourists who visit Min
nesota tourist camps each year, not because they
are trying to economic, but rather because they
desire to travel that way. At many tourist camps
big expensive motor bungalows with other
expensive camping equipment will be found. Peo-
pie who travel in that manner are not visiting
tourist camps for the sake of economy, the cost
of one motor bungalow would pay for number of
vacations.
This class of tourists should be encouraged, be-
cause they are liberal spenders and leave great
amount of money with farmers and business in
stitutions. This class of tourists is perfectly will
ing to pay for tourist camp Accommodations. In fact
the things that go with well regulated camp.
Your secretary believes that to place all the
camps i'm the state pay basis would be big
step towards eliminating some of the evils that the
tourist camp is accused of. It would at least
discourage undesirables in touring the state and
would generally elevate the tourist camp to a high
er plane. While some complaints come from places
where tourist camps are operated paid basis,
the most dissention appears Ito be in places where
the tourist camping privileges free. Many of
those who claim that the tourist camp does not af-
feet their business are in localities where there
paid camps.
The situation is one that must be handled care
fully. Radical changes in the manner of handling
tourist camps might do more harm than good, but
it may be possible by gradually bringing tourists
camps about the state to paid basis that the sit
uation will be improved. The regulation of the
tourist camp is problem incidental to the tourist
business that must be worked out with the utmost
care Your secretary does not believe that the
tourist camp should be abolished He believes that
it has important place among the facilities that
Minnesota has to offer the tourist but he does be-
Heve that conditions not altogether satisfactory
at the present time, and would suggest that more
pay camps and less free camps be maintained dur
ing 1927.