The Wilmington morning star., 1940-02-11

500, 000, 900 in spending volume
from tourists, and vacationists. by
reason of. the advertising program.
1t is anticipated that this amount
will be increased, due to war condi-
tons in Europe.
CITY ADVERTISES
Supplementing the we'll defined
advertising campaigns of the state,
a Of the Ocean Highway associa-
ton, the commissioners of the City
of Wilmington judiciously spend a
certain amount yearly to attract
visitors to the city and to our re.
sorts. This is an investment which
bi -gs rich returns. Preparation Ct
copy and all follow-up work for the
city, is carried forward by the Of
flee of the Wilmington Chamber of
Commerce. Over the past several
years. the files indicate a steadily
increasing volume of tourist traf-
fic. It is needless to state that ex-
penditures by visitors pass through
many local business channels, in adj
dition to hotels, tourist homes, gar
ages and service stations. Retail
stores of practically all classical
tons feel the beneficial effects of
this volume and derive substantial
amounts of new business therefrom.
1t is a trite statement but a very
true one, that tourist volume con.
stitutes just as much of a Smoke.
stack" insofar as creation of bust
ness expenditure is concerned, as
does the payroll of the average
manufacturing enterprise. This, nat
urally is an argument that atten.
ton and effort be given by a com
mercial organization a n d citizens
generally, toward stimulation an6
increase Of both tourist and indust-
rial lines. Each fills a niche of ma.
Jor Importance in the advancement
of a municipality and in increase of
business volume for all lines.
The Wilmington Chamber of Com
merce is under obligations to Nor
wood S. Westbrook, Of the State
Highway and Public Works Commits |
sion for his commendable and CO.
operative spirit in making a survey |
Of tourist traffic across the Cape
Fear river bridges, during the fall
and winter tourist season. This sur.
vey is made once each month and
was started in November Of 1887,
ABOUT two years ago. A comparison
of figures of some months ago, with
a check recently made, is very il
Eliminating. 1t reveals better than
words can express, the truth of the
statement that figures are convinc-
ing and cannot be denied.
During a nine hour period for the
one day of November 3, 1887 there
passed across the bridges here a to-
tai of 112 cars south-bound, and 81
north-bound, or a total of 1873. The
numbers Of state represented in that
traffic count was 81.
In the same period of nine hours
on December 20, 1889 there were
299 cars noted south-bound and 108
n~orth-bound, or a total of 407 with
% states represented. The checks
indicate that the traffic at this time
is approximately three times the
volume Of two years ago and that
the percentage of Increase continues
to show a healthy trend. In the
figures just enumerated, it should
be held in mind that neither trucks
nor cars carrying North Carolina
license were included.
With the facts outlined above,
the statement is justified that Will
mington is fortunate indeed in be-
ing a major clearing point on the
Ocean Highway between New York
and Florida. In addition, material
and increased travelling volume dur
l. the summer period is felt in the
city as a result of traffic to the
four splendid nearby ocean resorts,
Wrightsville, Carolina, Wilmington,
and Fort Fisher Beaches. Full eff
fort will be continued by the COM
Of Wilmington, the Will
nington Chamber Of Commerce.. and
other agencies, to the end that the
volume of tourist traffic may not
% held at the present level, but it
shall be increased steadily as time
LENDERS MIST APPLY