THE NATIONAL PARKS SYSTEM 251 



"In studying new park projects/' he said, "you 

 should seek to find scenery of supreme and distinct 

 quality, or some natural feature so extraordinary or 

 unique as to be of national interest and importance. 

 You should seek distinguished examples of typical 

 forms of world architecture. The National Parks 

 System as now constituted should not be lowered in 

 standard, dignity and prestige by the inclusion of 

 areas which express in less than the highest terms 

 the particular class or kind of exhibit which they 

 represent." 



That this principle has inspired the government 

 to the present time, outliving the intermediate tour- 

 ing tidal wave and in face of the preaching of double 

 standards by recreational enthusiasts anxious to ex- 

 tend parks under federal control and upkeep into 

 the East, is noted in a letter written January 24, 

 1924, by Secretary Hubert Work to Senator 

 Fletcher of Florida defining National Parks in some 

 part in identical phrases used by Secretary Lane 

 eight years before. 



In furtherance of his National Park policy, Sec- 

 retary Work said, in a letter to the writer dated Oc- 

 tober 25, 1925, for which he suggested publication: 



"Municipal and State Parks and National For- 

 ests together offer outdoor opportunities in count- 

 less numbers, and easily accessible. The Govern- 

 ment finds itself duplicating these areas down to the 

 smallest picnic park. We have gotten away from 

 the fundamental principle that the Government 



