There is no real necessity for this desecration of the public property; 
it is proposed only because it is cheaper. Secretary Payne further 
says: "Any such encroachment upon the Yellowstone, in my judg- 
ment is not necessary, and will do very great harm. Since the water 
does not remain in the park, means may always be found for its 
utilization after it leaves the park to the same and often to a greater 
extent than if the effort was made to use it in the park." 
Not only the Yellowstone Park is being attacked. Claims have 
been filed for power utilization of portions of the Yosemite, and even 
the Grand Canyon of the Colorado is to furnish private water power 
profit through the reduction of its wonders if these schemes succeed. 
The same Idaho Congressman who nearly succeeded in passing 
the vicious bill for flooding the southwest corner of the Yellowstone 
has openly announced his intention to oppose all appropriations for 
park maintenance unless his constituents are permitted to work their 
will, and has kindly pointed out that all the more acts setting aside 
great areas of the public lands to park and recreational uses, or pre- 
serving stupendous natural wonders, have had inserted in them a 
sneaking provision for irrigation uses. Glacier, Sequoia, General 
Grant — all the parks are to be entered upon, as the irrigationists may 
find them cheaper sources of water than the outside lands! 
The present administration of the Interior Department and the 
existing Federal Water Power Commission have definitely agreed, at 
the urgent request of the American Ci\dc Association, not to consider 
any applications for park desecrations until Congress has had time to 
act, either in definite protection or in gradual destruction of the 
parks. These officials wiU probably retire March 4, 192 1, and no one 
can now predicate the attitude of incoming cabinet officials of the next 
administration. 
Only one way exists to protect and defend the national parks for 
all the people. It is for every man and woman who believes in the 
value of the parks to insist to congressmen, both representatives and 
senators, that all commercialism be kept out, whatever may be the 
plausible and specious claims that disguise it. There must be insistence 
that the Congress promptly amend the Federal Water Power Act, by 
excluding national parks, monuments, reservations and cem.eteries 
from its otherwise beneficent provisions. Letters to congressmen are 
essential to the ejffort, and all Garden Club members who have not al- 
ready done so should write immediately. 
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