The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-15

remainder and preserve in its original state
OF nature, or nearly so. the most of that
portion of the valley lying west Of the Y0-
semitic Fall, though there are still too many
evidences OF misdirected clearing even in
this portion of the valley floor.
There is constantly recurring testimony
that insufficient care is taken OF the roads
and paths leading to the view points. They
are, at best, but mere tracks, flied with
loose granite sand in some places and with
an impalpably fine dust in others, which
flies in clouds and follows ones team during
most Of drive around the valley in such
dense volumes as TO seriously Obstruct the
vision. while rendering personal comfort an
lmpOsslbility. In the hands of trained eX-
perts In park forestry, this condition would
speedily give place TO a more intelligent and
substantial system. Again, along the banks
OF the stream much cutting If tim
Der has taken place. with the in
eVitable consequence of l00sening the
fue sandy loan of which its banks are
mostly composed by the decay of the roots
and fberS which were thrown out by the
removed trees. The inevitable consequence
is that during the spring foods when the
streams are bankfull and flowing with great
rapidly, a constant undermining and wash
ing away of the soil must occur. This in
time must change the direction OF the stream
from side to side of the valley with serious
consequences TO real Improvement
The removal OF fallen logs and stumps in
the river bed will further aid this mischief
by giving the stream full Roadway, whereas,
If undisturbed, these fallen trees and logs
occurring along the stream at irregular lE-
teTyalS act as breakwaterS and retard the
violence of the water action by lessening its
Roadway as we'll as being very picturesque
adjuncts along the river reaches. Occasional
eddies will be caused az times by ill-fallen
logs or trees. The damage arising from
such must. Of course, be either repaired or
prevented by artificial means.
NhereSOever we saw the Towering shrubs
or the lesser fora of the valley IN bloom
the specimens were in many instances very
rare and all were beautiful. II was with
regret that we viewed the havoc being
wrought among these more delicate plants
by the ill-judged turning of livestock to
Craze at large all over the valley floor.
In short. TO the educated eye it is apparent
that OSemite has always been under the
management of persons in the main who
were totally incompetent to properly care
for or preserve its natural beauties, ana our
experiences While there and upon the road
leading thereto fully confirmed the stories
we had from time 10 time heard-that the
Yosemite was and always had been in the
hands Of merely mercenary individuals.
and that all of its natural beauties which
were destroyable had been seriously marred
and mutllated to cater to the present wants
of mOney-making clique. At first thes1
reports were heard by US with a
largely added leaven Of reserve, but after
having made the trip | am compelled to add
my testimony to that of others which is
condemnatory of the manner in which the
| valley seems 10 be managed That all of its
| attractions are under the control of a clique
| having for their only object mercenary
| gain will be apparent to any Travelled per.
son who may endure the trip, which costs
| more for less real service than any tour Of