The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-23

TIE CsuHtts- sss Nssss 80 ths Nssis-si
Fsrks psa Ferest 4eserv.tisrs-

THs Csunusu ..s Needs 81 ere Nsae-s'
rssks p-s Ferest Rs.erv.sisrs.
wLsHiSoroM Feb 22-Althoush detaeh-
ments Of the regular army are now and have
been for years In charge Of the national parks,
the legality OF at least some Of these details
has lately been questioned. and an effort to
procure similar detachments to take charge
OF the forest reservations has proved unsuc-
cessfuL II lie. therefore. urged that Con-
Eress. at It's present session. should specially
authorize and direct tho Secretary OF War.
whenever the interests OF the military estab-
lishment would not suffer thereby. to make
such details OF troops upon the request Of the
Department OF the Interior. II appears that
Acting Advocate General Lieber has ex-
pressed the opinion that existing details made
under the act OF 1890 were clearly an over
sight on tho part Of the War Department at
the time" and. further that as neither tho
Constitution nor any act Of Congress expressly
authorizes the use OF troops to execute the
laws relating to these reservations. II Is un-
lawful to employ them for this purpose.
II would appear that tho Yellowstone Ma
tlonsl Park is not included In this objection.
but the Yosemite. sequota and General Grant
PARIS are. ns well Ms the new forest reservs-
tions. OF these latter there a-e at least thlr-
teen WHICH deserve careful Watching. namely
Hnh 2nI IN rnrornI ,ss son,b ps nnp Se
Teak. White River Plateau. Plum Greek. and
Battlement Mesa II Colorado, the G[snd
Mexico the Bull Hun in Oregon. and the Pacific
10 washinaton. These have an aggregate
all set apart Tor protection. but the means
have not been provided.
the 20 the E PSSo Dss
miles from north TO south and ilfty-tour from
east to west with an average, altitude Of
miles or 2,142. TO acres. The Yosemite Park,
comprising forty-two California townships.
square as ms 81 or or Ths
PARK, a.shaped Tract IN DIT Tulare county. Cali;
Grant seG Tnrt s: nrd
about four square miles. making an aggregate
for the two Of l13.s4O acres. Taxing the
get the enormous aggregate. in round num-
bers, OF l5OUUOOO acres segregated from the
All these areas deserve care in order to pro-
tect them from trespass and fire, and accord
ingly the suggestion that there Is now such a
lack in the legislation for the purpose as may
cause the military authorities to hesitate in
furnishing any further protection by troops.
must deina nd the consid GRAFTON Of Congress.
terror Department that stoe p l drive their
sheep on tho forest reservations. thus de-
rs the ss a Ga, 81. %sr so
partment to which application was made for
troops to guard several OF these reservations
that II would be unlawful to furnish them. and
the Interior Departm ent had no appropriation
for the purpose. the matter had to be dropped.
bill. however. is pending in Congress- on the
subject. which would give the required au-
thority.
Turning to the Yellowstone Park. It appears
that last year. although the spring was late.
the June travel In the park exceeded any
thing before known, the increase being due
largely to the Chicago Fair. as the hotel regis
ters showed many foreign visitors. The Park
Association now has hotels at four points,
namely Mammoth Hot springs Fountain.
lunch stat Ions At Norris Upper Basin. and
the Thumb. With the repeal OF the laws
prohibiting the leasing OF more than ten
acres to a single corporation and any erec-
tion OF hotel within one.fourth OF q
mile Of q Reyser or other object OF interest,
hotels might he built by tho Park Association
at Norris and Upper Basin. where they are
said to be needed. The quarter mile restric-
tlon was made by Congress at q time when
hero was fear lest persons or corporations
should get proprietary rights which would al
low them to charge visitors for the privilege Of
seeing its wonders.
Another need is that Of an act defining the
boundaries Of tho park and providing for
them after survey. giving the park
proper government. and perhaps increasing
he park guard by company Of infantry. In
yosemite Park the settleme nt OF the questions
raised By mining claims are i'm portant