March 23, 1918. 



Hon. Swagar Sherley, Chairman, 

 Committee on Appropriations, 

 House of Representatives, 

 Washington, D.C. 



My dear Sir: 



May I ask your favorable consideration as Chairman of the 

 Appropriations Committee of the item for the appropriation of 

 ^50,(XX) for the improvement and protection of the Sieur de 

 Monts National Monument^ on the coast of Maine? 



I fully realize the strain there is on the Treasury during the 

 war. At the same time, may I say that this is a park created 

 through the munificent gifts of citizens for which no appropria- 

 tion has been asked until this year and now only for its protec- 

 tion and improvement in the public interest. 



I have been a summer resident of Mt. Desert since 1870, and 

 have met there travellers from all over the world. All agree that 

 there are few, if any, spots — anywhere — which combine such 

 qualities of mountainous area close to the ocean, of exhilarating 

 sea and mountain air, of unique forestry and fauna due to its 

 position between the cold belt of Canada and the warmer belt 

 of Cape Cod. It is bound to be a spot to which people from all 

 parts of the United States will increasingly turn, indeed, have 

 turned already. The only national park in the East, it will give 

 such an opportunity, moreover, for the commingling of citizens 

 from North, South, East, and West, as is helpful for the unifica- 

 tion of the people. 



I remain. Yours very truly 



(Signed) William Lawrence 



