The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-21
THE YELLOWSTONE PARK.
A New Project for Granting Hotel an
Transportation Privileges.


WASHINGTON. Feb. 2O-Eternal vigilance Is
the price that must be paid for giving the
people Of this country the best use OF their
wonderland in tho northwestern corner OF
Wyoming 1t is constantly attacked in one
way or another by corporate or individual
greed. Tint the control OF q spot so lovely
should be coveted can be understood. Yellow
stone Park Is natural pleasure ground I'M
surpassed in beauty and interest In tho world {:
II possesses forests Of great value: it is our
great game preserve and geological! garden {:
1t is reservoir md distributing centre for the
water Of the Rocky Mountains. on which do
ponds the irrigation Of vast regions eastward
of the divide toward the Mississippi and west
ward to tho Pacific.
What with tho axe Of the lumberman. the
camp fires OF careless tourists and herders.
the rifles and traps Of pot hunters. the statutes
OF Territorial authorities seeking to bring the
region under their laws. the schemes Of rail-
roads to acquire rights Of way across it. and
even Mt one time the bold operations OF high
waymen. watchfulness has been needed for
years to protect Yellowstone Park for tho en-
joyment OF the American people.
Not long ago signs were detected OF a plot to
kill with strychnine or guns the fur-bearing
animals for the sake Of thei. valuable skins.
The first military superintendent found. on
assuming Office. that OUTLAWS ard vagabonds
from the surrounding region had made the
natural pleasure ground place of refuge: the
hotels were frequented by gamblers and ad-
venturers. who preyed upon tho ,unwnry
tourist. while forest fires. originating mysteri-
ously in remote and inaccessible places. ragged
unchecked" A. daring stage coach robbery
within the park limits was one OF the incidents
Of it's experience. Again and again , the
legislation needed for the park in Congress by
fastening upon 1t. in committee. right OF way
for Itself; for Congress reGularly abandoned all
covered deep with tho tindcr created by tho
debris OF ages. to the sparks from locomotive
Just now. the particular subject which has
stirred up tho Interior H Department to an ener-
nany wth eata oek
with authority to carry on the hotel and trans
This eompanS to establish as many as eisRt
hotels In this park. and to have grant Of ten
al eas s Res r for ent sTf Rsy
OF $50 a yenr. 1t is authorized. for this sum. to
quarry stone. make brick. and use timber for
wood for its fuel. 1t may also ".graze cows.
horses. mules; sheep. and beef cattle" enough
are n'I pe or At tho cnd Of twenty Years
tho Government is to buy all It's property ut "a
pruiscrs." or else must extend tho grant. at
tho present rate. for twenty years more.
Such are some OF the provisions OF this very
peculiar measure. For, the triIing consid-
9rratGn OF year W Ssa 1t doTs not need
hotel privileges for twenty and perhaps forty
duct and methods OF a hotcl aud TRANSPORTATION
company in. that region brought out. n few
years ngo. vigorous protests. and the Govern
ment intcrfered to protect the public. Since
Grs Sotc dne to- the a e
Interior DEPARTMENT holds over the lessees Of
gree ofhote business apparently beyond what
Is now required. with the risk OF establishing
It thrust upon tho United States. by means OF
tho alternative provision Of paying for tho
whole Quilt or tying up the right OF leasing
during a period Of forty years
OF course. suitable provisions to enjoy IN
greatly add to its value: but the Interior De-
partment considers the present, project AS too
thoroughly framed In Individual interests. II
so. it only furnishes one m.re Illustration Of
the With which ths OF ms5vss end
II may not become the PROV OF private enter
prise instead OF the free possession OF tho
peODle.