A CRISIS IN NATIONAL RECREATION 



393 



each contributes in a large way to national recreation. 



With the great public reservations used already by 

 millions for recreation, with extensive field organiza- 

 tions each performing some function in recreation de- 

 velopment, the federal Government should take the 

 leadership in the movement, giving its moral support to 

 the activities of other public and private agencies, and 

 correlating their efforts where these touch those of the 

 central Government. 



For the most part the recreation work of individual 

 federal bureaus in their respective fields is excellent, 

 though the lack of a central policy guiding the efforts 

 of all in conformity to a broad national program detracts 

 from their affectiveness. There are, however, two basic 

 problems that are causing grave difficulties. The Gov- 

 ernment's failure to meet these with a definite and firm 

 policy is causing confusion, retarding progress, and 

 actually jeopardizing public interests. 



Both problems relate to the National Parks. One is 

 the question of what areas should be included in National 

 Parks, especially when this involves the transfer of lands 

 from existing National Forests. The second problem is 

 whether the economic resources within the Parks shall 

 be used for industrial purposes. The two questions are 

 very closely related. Their solution is of far-reaching 

 consequence, for the policy adopted will largely determine 

 the future success of the National Park undertaking: and 



profoundly influence the Government's future work in 

 recreation. 



There are today eighteen National Parks located in 

 fourteen States and Territories and comprising nearly 

 eight million acres of land. 



The one thought in the minds of the Nation in setting 

 aside the National Parks has been to preserve the natural 

 scenic and historic features of extraordinary interest and 

 to make them available for all time for the enjoyment 

 of the public. They are in a real sense reservations and 

 should be withdrawn from industrial development. They 

 are great public playgrounds and not places for timber 

 operations, commercial grazing, or other industrial enter- 

 prises. It is only very recently that the question of 

 commercializing the National Parks has been raised and 

 there is a tendency in that direction which is very dis- 

 turbing to every friend of the National Park system. 



The National Forests comprise approximately 155 

 million acres located in 27 States and Territories. The 

 National Forests have been set aside as permanent public 

 reservations to safeguard and perpetuate the forests, to 

 protect water resources, and for other general public 

 benefits. Vast in extent, the forests contain important 

 economic resources, such as timber, water, forage, and 

 minerals. Situated in the mountain regions, they have 

 scenic features of stupendous grandeur and exceptional 

 beauty. Their forests are the home of large quantities 



A CAMPING PARTY IN COLORADO 



Snowmass Lake, in the Sopris National Forest affords excellent fishing, and each year is visited by campers who enjoy the high mountains. 

 In the background is Snowmass Peak, which reaches an elevation of more than 13,000 feet. There are hundreds of superb points like this in 

 the public forests of Colorado and elsewhere. 



