Evening star., 1928-05-26
COUNTRY TO SPEND
MILLIONS IN PLAY
Vacation Season Starts.
Railroads to Beneflt-Prep-
arati0ns Extensive.
BY J. C. ROYCE.
.cIai Dispatch TO The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
NEW YORK May 26.--The vacation
season got definitely under way today,
but it did not move Of TO the brisk
start which was anticipated for it in
preliminary estimates The cold weather
which has obtained in many sections Of
the country has held back plans for
the exodus from the cities. These plans,
however, are only delayed and are not
nullif1ed
California resorts and the national
parks and scenic wonders Of the South
west have not been affected by this gen
eral condition. The transcontinental
railroads have inaugurated their Sum-
mer excursion fares and trains from
Eastern points are moving into the
Southwest and California in extra sec
tions. This gives the best and truest
. indication of the prospect for increased
travel and for increased vacation ex
penditures throughout the country
Motor Tourists Moving.
Motor tourists are moving into the
, Southwestern sections in about toe
/ same volume as those coming by train
/ This ratio is expected to be maintained
| throughout most Of the year in various
| sections, but the motor tourist traffic
will not reach its height for some weeks
/ after the rail traf1c is in full swing
Moreover, the motorists and vacation
lists now seeking the national play
/ grounds are coming principally from
! the Southern States. where warm
! weather has succeeded the Spring chills
/ In the Northern sections of the
i United States. along the Atlantic
beaches. in the Appalachian and Ad-
! irondack ranges. in the lake country CT
/ the Middle West and in the national
parks Of the Northwest, the population,
whose chief duties are to serve tourists,
| still outnumber the tourists to bs
served This does not mean that the
| Northern and Northwestern resorts will
! not have q splendid season. but it takes
warm weather to drive the city dwellers
to the resorts and that warm weather
I has as yet been lacking.
Many Millions Spent.
Nevertheless, preparations for these
tourists have involved the expenditure
OF many millions of dollars. The
amount OF paint alone used in re-
/ furnishing the Summer resorts OF the
country has given the manufacturers a
volume OF business such as they have
never experienced before.
| This has been cumulative. according
/ TO George A. Martin. president Of the
| leading interest in the paint industry.
! He declared that sales and profits in
| the seven months ending with the ap-
proach of the Summer season had run
! ahead OF the corresponding period of
| the previous year. which was a banner
| period. In the last seven years this COM
/ pany, largely on business of this sort.
| has increased its surplus $l1 ,000, 900. in
! addition to paying over $4,000. 900 in
dividends The big paint factories have
been working at better than 95 per cent
Of capacity since March.
/ Corresponding expenditures have been
made for lumber. builders hardware
seeds. plants, carpets. furniture and
other expenditures in preparation for
! the arrival of profitable guests.
Business interests of New England to-
day are In session 10 determine the
best possible methods to sell the vaca-
ton advantages of that section 10 the
remainder OF the world Similar meet
ings have been held already in many
other sections. end extensive aovertis-
ing campaigns are drawing the atten-
ton Of numerous prospective vaca-
tionists
Sporting Goods Sell Well.
Sales of certain types OF sporting
/ goods ard vacation equipment have ex-
| ceeded anything known by nanufac-
turers in the past This is especially
| noticeable in the distribution OF golf
| equipment. tennis and fishing parapher-
MALTA and boats of every description
| from the outboard- motor Skin to the
| big yachts.
| Some OF the students and teachers
who normally supplement their income
| by activities IN the Summer resorts
/ during the season already have left
/ their Institutions of learning and start
/ ed training for their Summer duties.
! The demand for musicians Is eSpe-
cially noticeable. and the amateur per-
| former who cannot obtain a place in
Summer jaxz orchestra this year must
| be q Tyro. indeed