Reports. 



247 



immense numbers of tourists from all parts of the world who are 

 now deterred by the arduous nature of the trip and the lack of 

 accommodation. 



Each of these tourists would not only learn something of our 

 great State, but would spend money in it. Few of us even begin 

 to dream of the wealth that will some day be poured into Cali- 

 fornia by the multitude of travelers who will annually come to 

 enjoy our unparalleled scenic attractions. We want to hasten 

 that day, and we trust that the members of the State Legislature 

 will do their part in aiding to bring about this result by receding 

 the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees to 

 the National Government. 



Respectfully submitted. John Muir, President, 



Wm. E. Colby, Secretary, 

 George Davidson, 

 Wm. R. Dudley, 

 J. S. Hutchinson, Jr., 

 J. N. LeConte, 

 A. G. McAdie, 

 Elliott McAllister, 

 Warren Olney, 



Board of Directors 

 of the Sierra Club. 



[appendix.] 



The Yosemite Valley is a wonder of nature of reall}' national magnitude, 

 and, like the Yellowstone Park, more fitly cared for by the nation than 

 by any State. It also happens that the valley is actually inclosed within 

 a much larger national park, and that conflicts of jurisdiction, involving 

 serious results, have already occurred. The entire area of both parks 

 constitutes one natural administrative unit, and it is believed that there 

 is a growing feeling in Congress that such an arrangement should be 

 made. — San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 21, IQO-fy. 



If the reports from the mountains last summer were true, there is 

 danger in divided jurisdiction, for it was said that when the most destruc- 

 tive fire that ever visited the vicinity of the valley was raging, the State 

 Superintendent of the valley and the Military Superintendent of the park 

 stood for days disputing whether the fire was on Federal or State terri- 

 tory, until it gained such headway that their combined forces could not 

 master it until it had destroyed the fine forest extending from the Wawona 

 Road to Glacier Point. A single jurisdiction would render such a catas- 

 trophe from such a cause impossible. — San Francisco Call, Nov. 18, 1903. 



Major Chittenden, U. S. A., Chairman of the Federal Commission 

 appointed to investigate and report on matters pertaining to the Yosemite 

 National Park, said that in case the valley was ceded to the United States, 

 and that the Government would agree to assume the care and management 

 of the valley, a fort would be erected in the valley and a system of 

 permanent telephone stations established to give proper protection to the 

 forests from fire. — San Francisco Examiner, July 16, 190 4- 



