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Sierra Club Bulletin 



so undeveloped that they are not likely to be exhausted in any future that can 

 now be foreseen. W. F. B. 



Conference on The National Conference on Parks, held at Des Moines in 

 National Parks January, was remarkable for its size, its enthusiasm, and its 

 progressiveness. The difference in purpose between our na- 

 tional parks and our national forests was brought out at various points in the 

 conference, and there was a very evident determination to present a united 

 front against recent tendencies to throw our national parks open to commer- 

 cialization. The various movements to establish state parks came in for a good 

 deal of attention and encouragement. It was a fitting recognition of the firm 

 and patriotic stand taken by Secretary John Barton Payne in favor of park 

 protection that he was made chairman of a national committee charged with the 

 task of arranging for another conference next year. W. F. B. 



Gifts and A public-spirited member of the club recently came to the con- 

 Bequests elusion that if she gave certain money to the club during her 

 TO THE Club lifetime, instead of bequeathing it to the club in her will, as she 

 had originally intended, she would be doing a great deal more 

 good with this amount of money, and it would immediately begin to accomplish 

 the results which she desired. We trust that our members will give serious 

 thought to this plan. There are many praiseworthy objects which can be ac- 

 complished or furthered by the judicious use of funds, even though small in 

 amount, but which work the club now has to forego because of financial limi- 

 tations. Material wealth accumulated during our lifetime ceases to have any 

 value for us after death. While it is eminently desirable that we should all pro- 

 vide for those who are dependent upon us, and who need such provision, yet 

 there is a proper limit to this form of disposition, and there is nothing more 

 praiseworthy than to devote some portion of one's accumulated wealth to ob- 

 jects which will perpetually promote public welfare. 



There are few things more vital to the national welfare than to preserve in- 

 violate for all time some of our wonder-spots in their primeval condition as 

 examples of "pure wildness," to use a favorite expression of John Muir's, for 

 the enjoyment and uplift of the generations to come. 



This important work can be furthered by financial aid. W. E. C. 



