114 



Sierra Club Bulletin. 



National Parks III Kept — Cost and Difficulty of Reaching Them 

 Deter Many Travelers. 

 (N. Y. Times, October 20, 1912.) 

 To THE Editor of the New York Times : 



In the editorial article on "The Grand Canon" you express surprise 

 that Americans should be constantly crossing the Atlantic to visit the 

 beautiful scenes and famous resorts of Europe vi^hile our ovjn country 

 is comparatively neglected, although it holds out to every traveler, and 

 particularly in the great, wide West, such wonderful scenes of grandeur 

 and beauty as few places in the world can show. 



The explanation, I think, is not far to seek. Our National parks, 

 which include within their boundaries these great masterpieces of 

 nature, and which were set aside for the enjoyment and enlightenment 

 of all the people, are not administered as they should be. It ought to 

 be possible to visit the most interesting and impressive scenes over 

 tolerably well-kept roads and trails, with an assurance of reasonable 

 comfort and in a manner in keeping with the grand, simple, natural 

 environment, and this should generally be possible at a cost within 

 range of the traveler of average means. But he who expects to find 

 these conditions will often meet with disappointment. 



Our National parks and National monuments are administered by 

 various departments of the Government — those of the Interior, War, 

 and Agriculture — and, owing partly to this distribution of powers, it 

 has not been possible to establish a uniform and well-considered system 

 of supervision and development. The annual appropriations by Con- 

 gress are entirely inadequate, except, perhaps, in the case of the Yellow- 

 stone National Park, to meet the many forms of expense connected 

 with a thoroughly efficient management. 



To those who have given the most serious and disinterested thought 

 to the problem of our National parks and National monuments it has 

 appeared that their many needs can best be met by placing them all 

 under an independent bureau, a Bureau of National Parks, which shall 

 be entrusted with their preservation, proper development, and ad- 

 ministration. 



Some day these grand National possessions will be appreciated. 

 Then the thousands who now go to Europe will be glad to "see America 

 first," assured of an ample return in pleasure, health, and instruction. 



G. F. Schwartz. 



New York, October 17, 1912. 



Secretary's Office, Department of the Interior, 

 Washington, D. C, May 17, 1913. 

 Gentlemen: — Replying to your telegram of April 23d, petitioning, 

 in joint meeting, the temporary opening of the Yosemite National 

 Park to stock grazing to relieve the present drouth conditions existing 

 in southern and central California, I have to advise you that I have 

 given this matter most careful consideration and have considered your 



