Reports of Committees 



199 



Secretary's Report 



To the Members of the Sierra Club : 



The past year has been one of the most active in the club's existence. The 

 club has had a greater opportunity for genuine service than for many years 

 past. The inclusion of national parks in the Federal Water Power Bill rendered 

 it necessary to start an energetic campaign to have them excluded without de- 

 lay from the destructive commercialization to which they were thrown open. 

 Already many filings have been made under this recent legislation, certain of 

 them in the immediate vicinity of the Yosemite Valley, which would seriously 

 affect some of the most beautiful falls of the park. These are only a prophecy 

 of what will come if the parks are left unprotected from similar assaults. The 

 bill pending in Congress providing for the damming of the Yellowstone Lake 

 represents an attempted invasion of the Yellowstone National Park. It is quite 

 evident that a concerted attempt is being made to break down the safeguards 

 which have heretofore surrounded our national parks, and it is vitally import- 

 ant for all of our members to work more earnestly than ever to stop these 

 threatened invasions before it is too late. The creation of the Greater Sequoia 

 (or Roosevelt) National Park is also important legislation which the club is 

 fostering and which is now pending before Congress. 



During the year a member, who does not wish his name disclosed, has pre- 

 sented the club with bonds representing $2000, accompanied by the suggestion 

 that the income be used for the care of the Parsons and Le Conte lodges. This 

 is an admirable way of helping in the work of the club and placing it on a 

 firmer foundation. 



Owing to the very active campaign for new members conducted during the 

 year, the membership now numbers 2257. There were 663 members added 

 during the year and 314 lost through death and resignations. This increase in 

 membership is most encouraging as an indication that the club is approaching 

 more normal times and has safely bridged the unsettled period resulting from 

 the war. From every side, both from editorial comment in newspapers and 

 from private expressions of opinion, it becomes increasingly evident that the 

 Sierra Club is held in high esteem because of its unselfish and fearless stand 

 on all questions which come within its sphere of activity. 



William Colby, Secretary 



Report of 1920 Outing 



The outing held by the Sierra Club during July, 1920, was the most ambitious 

 and, at the same time, the most successful the club has ever undertaken. This 

 particular trip had been planned to take place in 191 7, but the entry of the 

 United States into the war prevented. The club started from Huntington Lake, 

 crossing the lake on barges and camping at the upper end for two or three 

 days. The party next visited the Lower Hot Springs on the South Fork of the 

 San Joaquin, moving up the river to the very attractive Paradise (Jackass) 

 Meadows, where another short stay was made. Moving still farther up the 

 river, the club camped for one night near the junction of Evolution Creek. The 



