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Sierra Club Bulletin. 



12. The various newspapers throughout the State have almost 

 without exception indorsed the proposed change in editorial 

 comment. Not one dissenting opinion has come to our notice. 

 Since these comments outline some of the arguments to be given 

 in favor of the proposed change, and since they voice in a degree 

 the sentiment of the people on the question, extracts from a few 

 of these expressions of opinion are given in the Appendix 

 hereto. 



13. In conclusion, the past has demonstrated that the Yo- 

 semite Valley is of a national character, and every citizen of the 

 United States is vitally interested in its welfare. The State 

 assumed the burden of caring for it, and has expended its money 

 for the benefit of every citizen of the United States. Forty years 

 has proven that the State cannot afford to appropriate out of 

 the funds at its disposal a sufficient amount to adequately care 

 for this National Park. California has vital interests which 

 concern her alone. She has forests to protect from fire; she has 

 flood-water problems; she has a State Redwood Park; she has 

 multitudinous interests which demand the expenditure of her 

 own money. She can obtain no funds elsewhere for this work, 

 for her citizens only are vitally affected by such expenditures. 

 Her funds even now are far short of being adequate to meet 

 the growing necessities of this great State. The Yosemite Valley 

 requires the expenditure of at least one hundred thousand dollars 

 every year for its proper care and management. A hotel is abso- 

 lutely required to be constructed in the valley at a cost of at 

 least two hundred thousand dollars. The State cannot afford to 

 appropriate this amount. 



But the United States is amply able to do this, and will, if 

 given the opportunity. Therefore, the Yosemite Valley and 

 Mariposa Big Tree Grove should be receded to the United 

 States, and thereby become a part of the National Park, to which 

 it naturally belongs. The result would be the improvement of 

 the valley and National Park by the construction of the best of 

 roads, bridges, and trails. Ample hotel accommodations of the 

 best quality would be provided. A telephone system for the 

 entire park to guard against forest fires would be inaugurated. 

 The patrol system of the National Park would be rendered far 

 more effective and the valley itself placed under the same system, 

 so that perfect order would prevail, no matter how great the 

 number of visitors. The toll-road system would be abolished, and 

 in all probability a splendid boulevard constructed up the Merced 

 Canon, which would reduce the time and expense of travel one 

 half and greatly increase the comfort This would attract 



