Reports. 



^7S 



REPORTS. 



REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 

 May 6, 191 1, to May 4, 1912. 



It is a genuine pleasure to make a report on the condition of 

 the Sierra Club for the past year, for it has been marked by a 

 steady increase of membership and the Club's influence is be- 

 coming noticeably greater. The Treasurer's report indicates a 

 larger balance than ever before, which is fortunate in view of 

 increased expenditures. The total membership of the Club is 

 now 1,527, making a net increase for the year of 127. 



The accumulation of books and exchanges and especially the 

 growing stock of back numbers of the Sierra Club Bulletin 

 have made it necessary to rent additional space adjoining the 

 present office, in which to store these possessions. 



The Club conducted a vigorous campaign early in 1912, with 

 the object of securing an increased appropriation for the Yosemite 

 National Park, in order to make adequate preparation for the 

 accommodation of visitors during the exposition year, 1915. The 

 boards of trade, chambers of commerce, and other organizations 

 throughout the State co-operated most actively. Unfortunately, 

 the desire of both poHtical parties in Congress to make a record 

 for economy may operate to keep the appropriation for the next 

 fiscal year down to $50,000, which is the amount regularly ap- 

 propriated for some time past and which might have been re- 

 duced were it not for this concerted effort to secure a larger 

 appropriation. This amount is more than three times as much 

 as was appropriated under the State regime, however. 



A Bureau of National Parks, or, more properly, a National 

 Park Service, to take charge of all such matters as appropriations, 

 creation of new parks, extension or alteration of boundaries of 

 existing parks is a matter of pressing necessity. The inclusion 

 of the Kings-Kern region, and other similar areas in national 

 parks, are questions which will probably be left for such a bureau 

 to determine, and it is to be hoped that Congress will without de- 

 lay pass the pending bill providing for such a service. 



The acquisition of the Soda Springs property in the Tuolumne 

 Meadows marks a distinct step forward in the Club's history. 

 This has been commented on editorially in this issue. 



The Southern CaHfornia Section of the Club has evidently 

 been organized on a permanent basis and is conducting a series 

 of well-attended and enjoyable walks and excursions. The Local 

 Walks about the bay region have also proved more attractive 

 than ever, if one may judge by the increased attendance. 



