The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-09

last of his family now. The aged Ploiteaea
had lectured all over the world about the
valley, and his writings on the suDlecG
have been extensively read. Now, WIN
only a few years of life remaining, ne
should be allowed to spend them III MS
early home.
Governor Budd said that he would IN
no way recognize the legislative act, put
he was in favor of granting the pioneer
prayer if the latter would abandon ehe
claim based upon the act. HutchlngSS
said he would, and the Governor moved
that in making out the Glascock lease one
acre and the little cabin be reserved.
Dr. Mclean urged the commission 70
build a much-needed bridge on the old
Coulterville road, half a mile from the
cascade The Commissioners acknowl-
edged the need of such a bridge, but said
there was no money for such purposes IN
the fund.
The committee on tenements and build
ings recommended many repairs to the
Stoneman House and the Coffman q
Kenney House. In the Stoneman House
fire hose has been placed.
Last May Governor Budd directed Il. G.
Irvine, J. l.. Maude and Marsden Manson,
composing the Bureau of Highways OF the
State OF California, to examine the roads
and general features of the Yosemite Val
ley. with view to improving the roads 10
such an extent as possible with the ma
terials and conditions there existing.
The bureaus report contains many valu-
able suggestions concerning the twenty
two miles of road in the valley proper. OI
this fifteen miles is heavy with SAND ana
dust. The remaining mileage IS IN falr
condition. Considerable study was made
OF the materials for improving the poor
part of the road, and black loan was
found that will serve the purpose If
sprinkled. The report went into innumer-
able details with reference to curling, re-
tanning walls, bridges and the protection
of the banks along Cascade Greek and Mer-
ced River. The report was referred 10 the
executive committee.
The report of the committee on the
preservation of the floor of the valley road
was prepared by George Kent Radford, a
civil engineer and landscape architect OF
worldwide reputation. Mr.. Radford spent
a week in the Yosemite Valley. In his re-
port he says:
Looking down upon the valley from Union
Glacier and other points enables one 70 reaIlze
what the floor OF the valley must nave Iooked
like before it was so overgTown and TO which IL
can be restored when properly treated.
The fiat surface, the river, the trees are theres
and the roads have been made, the cliff and
the foot coverings provided, but growth OF
low and useless small vegetation has been al
lowed to accumulate and cover what should De
open meadows and glades, spelling the views,
fnluring the fine trees and adding the danger
of conducting and feeding fire, should such
unfortunately occur by accident or design. II
is difficult to believe that any person OF ordf-
nary intelligence. and possessing reasonable
amount of TASTE can question the adyisability,
and even necessity, OF removing this under
growth and opening up the fine effects that are
waiting 70 be looked upon. Here visitors come
in various WAYS and with different ideas and
objects and it is necessary if possible. TO fore
see and provide for these individual tastes and
wants. Some go 10 the hotels and others camp
out.
For the hotel visitors, provision should be-
made Tor garden and lawn with proper plant
ing and rustic shelters, grounds for tennis Gro
quet archery and other outdoor sports.
Electric lights should De provided for the
hotels, etc. The camping grounds should be
properly located, cleared and arranged with
groups OF trees and water, as TO be attractive
and under proper sanitary control
The banks OF the river must be protected and
the wearing effects OF the stream prevented.
Provision should be made for sprinklng the
roads so as TO prevent the dust which in some
| places is now somewhat OF nuisance. Foot
| trails judiciously laid out among the trees
| clear OF the drives should be provided so that
| a complete circuit of the valley could be made
by pedestrians without encountering carriages
| except at points OF common interests. Shell
ters seats, etc, should be built on these trails
and at all points commanding interesting
| views, and picnic facilities should beiarranged
in such places as the Happy Isles, etc
| To enable the foregoing objects 10 be intelli-
| gently carried out requires the study and prep
araton OF plan, and to prepare the plan the
| foundation of an accurate and complete topO-
graphical map, which does not at present ex-
| list, and am willing TO contribute my share 10
1 this good work, and providing the Commission
| ers will pay my travelling expenses and hotel
| expenses, and give me the services OF two or
| three intelligent laboreTs for about Two
months, viii make the survey and prepare
complete working plan free of charge.
Mr.. Radford's offer was accepted and he
will begin work next month.
Commissioner Field reported that certain
campers had been defacing pine trees by
cutting through the bark, perforating It
with the words ''Camp Hanford" As he
knows the campers he was instructed to
begin proceedings against them.
The matter of repairing the old hotel at
Glacier Point and fixing up several bridges
WIS left in the hands of the executive
committee. The commission will meet
again on August II.