DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL PARKS. 23 



scale that the new concessions in Yosemite and Mount Rainier are 

 now being handled. When such accommodations and facilities are 

 provided for the comfort and convenience of visitors, the Southern 

 Pacific Railroad Co. can be expected to operate high-class train 

 service to Kirk, on the east side of the park, thus making it possible 

 for the tourist to enter the park by the west entrance and leave 

 through Kirk in the Klamath direction, or the reverse. I hope to 

 completely reorganize the Crater Lake concession within a few 

 weeks and make conditions definitely attractive for 1917 travel. 



The War Department, under a $50,000 appropriation, has continued 

 the construction of a scenic highway around the lake under the 

 direction of Army engineers. The appropriations, however, for the 

 administration of the park have been very small, and there is no 

 authority for using revenues of the park for its administration and 

 protection. It has therefore been impossible to build a very neces- 

 sary water system, a small electric plant, and make other improve- 

 ments of this character. The lack of water at the Crater Lake Lodge 

 on the rim caused considerable inconvenience during the summer. 



THE SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK. 



In Sequoia National Park the lack of roads and hotel accommoda- 

 tions, while not discouraging tourist travel particularly, has mili- 

 tated against the park's popularity. A new hotel or camp is a neces- 

 sity and it is essential that a new administrative building be erected 

 and an adequate water system be installed in the Giant Forest ; also 

 that provision be made for the sanitation of the village in the Forest. 



As the Giant Forest is the scenic attraction of the park at the 

 present time, and indeed the only accessible part, its improvement 

 must have attention. The major portion of the trees in the Giant 

 Forest grow on land held in private ownership but, as I have stated, 

 Congress has appropriated $50,000 and the National Geographic 

 Society has advanced $20,000 to complete their purchase and revest 

 title to them in the United States. 



Funds were also appropriated by Congress for a new bridge over 

 the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River near the Giant Forest. 



The new basis of compensation for privileges granted to the Mount 

 Whitney Power & Electric Co. in the park has netted the revenue 

 fund more than $7,000 during the past year. This fund is now just 

 large enough to protect and administer the park. Appropriations for 

 improvement only will be requested. 



" THE GREATER SEQUOIA." 



Senate bill 5913, introduced by Senator Phelan, of California, and 

 House bill 13168, by Representative Kent, of the same State, provid- 



