The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-21

liam H. Barron, our chairman, to make New Englanders New Eng land minded, and then to spread the gospel to our potential cus- toners. But, great as has been our progress, 1t must be further stimulated. For example, in my state, Connecticut, 1t is interesting to note that our recent General Assembly appropriated for the bi- ennial term, 1895 and 1886, for the Department of Labor and subsidi- ary departments, the sum of $112,- 3O6, purporting to help industry which has 0 capital investment in that state of one billion dollars. For agriculture in Connecticut, with q capital fnvestmen of $206,- 268,642, that same General As sembly appropriated $60,721, in addition to vast outlays for ex- perimental stations, the State Col lege and such. For recreation representing a capital investment of more than $3OO,OOO,000 that same GenerSl Assembly appropri. ated $1.00. The explanation o. our. leaders is that the businesses most directly benefited by recrea- tion will raise the funds to under write the activities of the Connec- ticut Publicity Commission. l mention this only to show that our state leaders are not yet sold up- on the unlimited possibilities of this business and this despite the fact that some sixty Connecticut towns would find 1t very difficult and in many instances impossible to pay their current expenses with out the tax revenue from non- residents who, 1t Is well to re. member, ask for very little in re. turn for their taxes. They do not. for example, ask these towns in which they summer to provide education for their children and that alone Is the big item in all city and town budgets. For years I have been arguing that New England could not afford not to advertise and an indication of this challenge to us Is reflected in the tremendous advertising budgets of some other sections of the country as for example--All-Year Club of California $633,505; Colorado As- sociation, $3TO.00O; Californians Inc. $33S.965; Hawaii Tourist bu- reau, $220,000; St. Petersburg, $17O,530; Pinehurst. $1G7,000: Seattle, s100.000; San Antonio, $110,000. These figures were for 1888 and 1t is now estimated that there is being spent in recreation al advertising in the United States more than $5.000.000 annually. As against this promotional item, there is the statement of Henry l.. Stimson, secretary of state, on December 9, 1932, to the effect that the expenditures of American tourists in foreign lands dAring the period from 1924 to 1880 totalled three billion. nine hundred million dollars. There is but one answer to the question of whether this business is worth going after.
 Prospectus
 "Amplifying briefly our plan ming program, I should remind those who have land in the vicinity of lakes, rivers or the shore which they would develop, that if they would enhance the value of their land they should plan now to have acce ssibiiity to these lakes, rivers or shore frontages. Without that approach, much of the value for summer homes will be lost. Towns which would spread their tax bur- den in the years ahead and this very apparently must be done, will do we'll to plan approaches for now undeveloped land to our rivers, lagos and shore frontages.
 "A word about hospitality. When one invites a guest to his home the responsibility of hospitality is his. Likewise, when we of New Eng land invite the rest of the country to spend a week. q month, or the summer with us, the responsibility of hospitality is ours. By ours, mean not just the official greeter but every man, woman and child In New England. Massac chusetts sets an excellent example in hav- ing its policemen present to out of-state visitors--not an insulting reprimand for some slight motor vehicle violation-but guest sticker for the car and with 1t q courteous request 10 comply with safety reEulations.
 ''In public business as In private business, customers go where they are invited and remain where they are welcome. Courtesy always pays the largest dividends.
 Tt Is high time that we. of New England. recognize that there is such a thing as adverse publicity. A few of us who are New England minded spend our time and the money of our supporters attempt ing to sell New England to the