The San Francisco call., 1895-07-17
THE YOSEMITE Valley
How Money for the Mainte-
nance of the Park Has
Been Wasted.
The Railroad and Stage Companies
Have Had Too Much
Attention.

From hints thrown out recently by
Governor Budd it is inferred that he will
give particular attention to Yosemite
Valley affairs as soon as he finishes work
on the National Guard and State Board os
Horticulture.
1t will be recollected that the Legislature
last winter made a raid on the commits
sion, reduced its allowance for travelling
expenses one-half and materially cut down
the Controllers estimates for maintaining
the park in the valley and the Mariposa
Big Tree Grove. The fight on the man
agement of the reservation was led by
mblyman Phelps Of San Mateo and
Rowell of Fresno, and was not only per-
sistent but skillful. Phelps was constantly
demanding information as to what the
Commissioners had done with the large
sums received for hotel and other privi-
leges in the valley.
No lucid explanation was given to his
inquiries by the Commissioners at that
time, but it comes TO light now that John
2. Irish, when secretary of the board, was
given authority to expend $1,000. On this
authorization, it is said, an Indebtedness
of $11 600 was created. Instead of making
straightforward confession regarding in
side management, the Commissioners and
the Board of Examiners concealed the
facts from the Legislature and the public.
It was thought that the Irish bills would
be paid in due time, and with a new and
liberal appropriation the reservation could
be properly cared for.
George Sperry of Stockton, a particular
friend of Governor Budd, was so indignant
when the Legislature cut down the appro-
prlation that he sent III his resignation as
Commissioner, but the Governor would
not accept it. Then it was asserted that
the Board of Examiners would allow the
commissioners to create deficiency II an
emergency should arise demanding the
expenditure of money to keep the park in
presentable condition. At the last meet
ing of the board DR.. Mclean made an
urgent appeal for the construction of a
bridge across Cascade Creek, stream
flowing into the Mereed River. The road
on which the bridge is desired is outside of
the grant, but was purchased and is owned
by the State. 1t is reported that the exec
utlve committee will authorize the con-
struction of the bridge.
A we'll known citizen of California, who
has long been conversant with Yosemite
valley management, said yesterday: at
Is time that the valley was managed in the
interest OF the people of the country. The
State should either care for the park or
surrender the trust to the Government, SO
that u can be managed in the manner that
the Yellowstone Park is governed. The
yosemite should be regarded as a public
trust and not as private perquisite The
stage companies and the Southern Pacific
have had the management long enough.
The Commissioners ought to maintain an
Office IN San Francisco, accessible at all
times to tourists and others in quest of
information. There should be some one
in the office at all times to impart facts as
to accommodation, routes, guides. hotel
charges and transportation facilities in the
valley. As it is now the commission prac-
tically gives nothing in this respect.
Every one is referred to the railroad Office
and the agent of the stage company"
1t is said that there is some talk in the
War Department of abandoning the sys
tenn of collecting information abroad
through the medium of the military at
taches at the United States legations. AL
though much OF the information thus
gathered must necessarily remain in the
secret archives of the department, it has.
nevertheless, been of great value. The
enemies of the system claim that the cost
of travelling incurred by the attaches is
more than the information is worth. It
seems probable, however, that Secretary
Lamont will not recall these officers, mas
much as some of them have furnished
material which is constantly drawn upon
by officers in their military work here at
home.