144 



Sierra Club Bulletin 



boundaries of the larger grant. This recession was vigorously 

 opposed by many of the members of the legislature, and by 

 some of the press as well, and it is generally conceded that ex- 

 cept for the strenuous work done by the Sierra Club the bill, 

 carried as it was by so small a margin, would never have gone 

 through. The good effects of this combination can now be 

 easily recognized. Whereas the state was never able to appro- 

 priate over $io,(X)0 per annum, and usually less, Congress gave 

 $250,000 last year for the Yosemite National Park, and we are 

 asking for $319,000 this year. 



About 1904, members residing in the vicinity of San Francis- 

 co suggested the idea of local Sunday walks which could be ar- 

 ranged by a committee and announced in advance, thus giving 

 those who could not afford the time for the summer outing an 

 opportunity to enjoy the beauties of nature in a milder way. 

 These first walks were announced in the advertising columns 

 of the daily papers each week, but soon this was replaced by 

 the regular printed schedule as at present. The local walks 

 have proved a great success, and these, together with the out- 

 ings, have done much to bring the membership of the club up 

 to its present large figure. 



An increasing number of members from southern California 

 led to the establishment of the Southern California Section with 

 headquarters in Los Angeles in 1905, when the revised by-laws 

 were adopted by vote of the club in April of that year. It has 

 erected through private subscription the John Muir Lodge in 

 the Santa Anita Canon. 



In 191 2 it was called to the attention of the directors of the 

 club that the famous Lambert Soda Springs property was for 

 sale. In order to prevent its passing into improper hands, Mr. 

 Colby promptly took an option on the property, and a year later 

 the entire amount of the purchase price was raised by sub- 

 scription amongst the club membership. After the death of 

 Mr. E. T. Parsons, in 1914, it was decided to erect on the prop- 

 erty a suitable stone building, to be known as the Parsons Me- 

 morial Lodge. This was accordingly done in 191 5, at an ex- 

 pense of about $3000. It is now open in charge of a custodian 

 each summer. 



One of the recent good deeds of the club has been the sav- 



