Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1916 — Seeing America by Motor. [ARTICLE]

Seeing America by Motor.

Statistics that are a little belated, but still interesting, convey the information that no fewer than 6,000 tourists crossed the continent last summer in automobiles. There was the lure, to be surs, of a great international exposition, but this, the experts hold, was not. in itself sufllcient to account for the motor traffic. On the contrary, they are of the opinion that the movement was a product—a remote by-product of the European war. These 6,000, so the argument runs, were in the habit of going abroad every summer and touring Europe. The war put an end to that, and they turned to the transcontinental trip as a substitute. But, whatever may have been the motive governing the trip last year, it is now certain that the journey hereafter will be made for its own sake. The 6,000 set forth skeptics and returned converts. And this summer it is estimated that twice 6,000 will motor from East to West and that these will pass a proportionately large number of westerners journeying eastward. The belief prevails that the fashion of "seeing America first” has been firmly established, and that, in the future, this continent will be traveled as Europe has been traveled in the past. To a great extent, it will have been the motor car that has discovered America to Americans. Those who made the transcontinental trip last summer were, for the most part, bound by no necessity to economize in expenses. They had money to spend, and they spent it freely. They were the travelers de luxe. But, this year, and In the years to follow, thousands will be abroad in the country in their cars who can not spend so lavishly. Not all of them, of course, will make the transcontinental trip; many of them will not leave the confines of their own states. Touring is growing in popularity annually. It is looked upon, by those who can afford it, as an ideal outing.

Keepers of hotels, accordingly, now that the ‘‘seeing America first” habit has been formed, are being cautioned by automobile clubs and transportation companies generally to avoid discouraging the tourist by exorbitant charges. In various cities arjd in numerous resorts, both east and west, local clubs are taking the matter of hotel rates in hand and are obtaining from their managers schedules of prices that will prevail the season through regardless of the demand for accommodations. Rate cards so obtained and distributed amount virtually to pledges that the schedule of prices listed will be maintained. This inspires confidence, and if anything will contribute to an increase in American sightseeing, vacation and recreation travel this will Serve that end. It is a movement that deserves encouragement and support.—lndianapolis News.