248 



Sierra Club Bulletin. 



It would be better for Yosemite if it were in the hands of the Federal 

 Government. The Interior Department has control of the great Yosemite 

 reserve encircling the valley for miles in all directions, and could, without 

 extra expense, supervise the valley as well. Yosemite Valley really be- 

 longs to the United States. It should be looked upon as a possession 

 of all the people, and should be made more easily accessible to all. It 

 should receive the attention that the Federal Government could give it. 

 More money would be expended upon it, more care devoted to it, and the 

 expenses of visitors should be greatly reduced. It would become what 

 it should be — a people's park. — Oakland Enquirer, July 28, 1904- 



The failure of the State to provide for the proper accommodation of 

 visitors to the valley has provoked a wide-spread demand that the reserva- 

 tion be receded to the Federal Government. Should the recession be 

 made, there is no doubt that Congress would speedily provide the necessary 

 accommodations as well as the other facilities to enable sight-seers to visit 

 the valley and its surroundings under the most favorable conditions. The 

 valley should be managed in the interest of the public to whom it belongs, 

 and the convenience of the public should be the first consideration in 

 making improvements. — Oakland Tribune, Sept. IJf, 190Jf. 



State pride may prevent the Legislature taking any such action, but 

 there is no question that it ought to be done. The present system of 

 divided jurisdiction paralyzes all effort for the satisfactory administration 

 of this greatest of natural wonders. Since it is out of the question for 

 the nation to cede the park to the State, the State ought to cede the valley 

 to the nation. — Fresno Republican, July 16, 190-^. 



Under the absolute control of the United States Government the valley 

 would have the best of care; money for every needed improvement would 

 be forthcoming; it would be carefully policed, and the chances for graft 

 or political jobs would be reduced to a minimum. The citizens of Cali- 

 fornia would enjoy every right in the valley that liberal but well-enforced 

 regulations would permit. It would be "our" valley still. Uncle Sam could 

 not run away with it, and he would certainly be a careful and at the 

 same time indulgent guardian. The fact that the Government is willing 

 to accept the trust is fortunate, and those who appreciate the situation 

 will doubtless hope to see tavorable action by the next Legislature on Muir's 

 proposal. — Stockton Record, July 12, 190Jf. 



Up to this time State management has been reasonably efficient, but 

 in State hands the administration of the park must always more or less 

 be involved in politics, whereas the Government would be able to administer 

 it through the army precisely as it administers the National Park in the 

 Yellowstone country. — Sacramento Union, April 22, 1902. 



There is a strong probability that the Yosemite Valley will be receded 

 to the Federal Government by the State of California in the near future. 

 Such a move would probably tend to a greater improvement of the park, 

 as the expenses connected with keeping the great natural wonder open to 

 the public are considerable and can be better sustained by Uncle Sam 

 than the State of California. It would also tend to a quick abolition of 

 toll-roads, make a trip to the valley fraught with less expense to travelers 

 and in the reach of almost every one. — The New Era, Tuolumne, Cat., 

 May 7, 190Jt. 



The only arguments that have been presented opposing the transfer are 

 along the line of State pride. When this is analyzed, however, it does 

 not appear justifiable. The park must necessarily remain forever in Cali- 

 fornia, and the retention of title by the State means merely the inadequate 

 continuance of a struggle to meet the obligations demanded by the mag- 



