ACTIVITIES 57 



quently check up the prices charged, and it is the behef of the 

 Service that rates are reasonable, considering the distance of 

 the parks from the regular centers of distribution. 



In the Yosemite a system of parcel post delivery of grocer- 

 ies, etc., in the trucks of the Post Office Department, has been 

 started, deliveries being made to campers every day. The plan 

 has worked well, and it is proposed to extend it to other parks 

 at an early date. 



Maintenance. Service activities along the lines of mainten- 

 ance involve such operations as the resurfacing of roads, the 

 repairing of bridges and culverts, the painting and general 

 repair of buildings, the keeping clean of trails, the overhaul- 

 ing and repair of equipment — in short, the maintaining of that 

 constant vigilance against deterioration without which no en- 

 terprise can hope to remain "fit." A large part of the annual 

 appropriations for the parks are on account of maintenance. 



Protection Service. There is Httle disorder in the parks to- 

 day, particularly in those in which national jurisdiction is 

 complete. Persons rendering themselves obnoxious are 

 warned, and removed from the park in which they happen to 

 be if the warning does not suffice. If the offense is more 

 serious they are arrested and brought before the United States 

 Commissioner for trial or commitment. Every effort is made 

 by the ranger forces to protect the law-abiding tourist from the 

 carelessness or wantonness of the law-breaking element. For 

 a camp fire left burning or garbage undisposed of, a party is 

 liable to be brought back a distance of several miles to per- 

 form the unfulfilled duty. Traffic regulations are also en- 

 forced by the rangers in order to lessen the liability of ac- 

 cident by collision or otherwise. Sanitary regulations are 

 enforced as a precaution against disease. Protection of 

 tourists against exploitation through overcharging has already 

 been mentioned. 



An important indirect protective activity is the furnishing 

 of medical service and hospital facilities to park vistors, park 



