RECORD LEADER

June 10 1915

 

MAKE WISCONSIN A TOURIST STATE

 

We Have the attractions -

All We Need Is Some Road Improvement and Publicity.

 

            Wisconsin should awaken to the opportunity possessed by the state to develop an immense tourist business.  A considerable acreage within the borders of the commonwealth is occupied by the thousands of beautiful lakes of the state.  That acreage can be made a source of income, if we are awake to the situation.  It is authoritatively stated that the state of Maine receives a summer patronage of $30,000,000 per year, and a few other states receive each a considerable fraction of that amount.  Wisconsin has the opportunity to appropriate to itself many millions of dollars from the annual expenditures of summerers and tourists.  Shall we do so?

            We probably have as good roads as the states that are now receiving the largest tourist patronage, but our roads should be better and we should make them better regardful or regardless of the additional income which may be developed.  We need good roads for our own use and we have the ability to pay for them - and if the tourists of the middle west want to use them to our profit to the extent of a few millions of dollars per year, we ought to be agreeable to the proposition.  We are taxing the cities and villages for the construction of our highways, and here is a chance for them to get their money back - from the patronage of tourists.

            There are a half million automobiles in the middle west - there will soon be a million, and then more.  A considerable percentage of the owners will want to make a tour each year - some of them several tours.  They will come to Wisconsin if we invite them - and especially if we make it pleasant for them to visit the state.  If we have the best roads, together with our unparalleled lakes and streams and charming country in general, these people will come again and again - to our profit every time.

            The Yellowstone Trail, which is to run through this city will bring, we hope, thousands of people to our city every year.  In addition to this, it will provide an excellent road for our own people of the town, for our farmers and thus help us in many ways.  Let us hope when the Trail Day for this city is announced in the near future, everyone will turn out to do his share in helping things along.