The San Francisco call., 1897-08-12
TO ABOLISH
TOLLROADS
A Proposition to Facilitate
Travel Into the
Yosemite.
The Federal Government Will Be
Asked to Make the Roads
Free.
Alluring Excursion Rates for the
Native Sons Next
Year.

The Yosemite Commissioners a: Mon
days meeting listened to the views of
Commissioner Abbot Kinney, who had
Just returned from tho valley. He stated
in substance that the present season was
the best, so far as visitors were concerned,
that the valley ever had. This he attrib-
uted TO the great influx of people who
came to California because of the Chris
tian Endeavor Convention. Quite a num-
Der of those took the opportunity to pay
visit to the valley. There is one thing,
however, that keeps thousands from max
ing the trip, and this is the annoyance
and inconvenience of the numerous toll
roads on the way.
To do away with this great nuisance he
suggested that petition be forwarded to
the Secretary of the Interior and also to
Congress, requesting the purchase from
The present toIl-road company of its in
terest in the road, which is on United
States property. Ii the proper showing
were made to the Government he be-
lieved, the toll company would be made
TO get off, thus removing one of the
greatest distractions 10 the max ing of the
valley place for the whole people and
not for the few Who can afford to pay the
exorbitant prices now charged. The re-
ductions made for the Christian En-
deavorers proved that the high toll over
the roads kept away thousands every
year. Should the United States Govern
ment buy off the toll-road nuisance he
had no doubt but the counties through
which the roads ran would do likewise
and thus make the entire journey free.
The effect of the increase in travel this
season so impressed Mr.. Kinney that since
his return he had consulted with several
of the officers and leading mem bers of the
Native Sons with the view of encouraging
them to start excursions into the valley
next year, and as an inducement TO make
it popular, the railroad com mpany, he said.
should be invited to corporate on the
same lines as it did this year with the
Endeavorers.
To accom- plish this end the following
comm unication was drawn up and will be
forwarded 10 the railroad authorities in
time for that body to take action before
the season of '98 opens.
Captain T. II. Goodman. General Passenger
Agent Southern Pacific Railroad Company, San
+ dncisco, CdL-DEAR SIR: Referring 10 Il
conversation had with you III regard to popu-
larizlng the Yosemite Valley, increasing the
travel TO it and making this wonderful park a
gT5aLer ATTRACTION 10 the tOurlSt, we Deg 10 Sug-
gest the following line OF action for next year:
An excursion rate 10 Yosemite Valley from
all points in California, commencing on June
IS 1896, and avail able until the season closes.
Tie movement to be under the special auspi-
ces of the order known as the ''Native Sons OF
the Golden West" We believe that the rate
should be open to all persons in California.
From conversations had with members OF
the Native Sons, we believe that this order will
take an active interest in the movement and
will organize excursions to the valley from
These excursions would be made up of
friends, and consequently would be more at
tractive than NEE llngs OF strangers.
Applications for such excursions from the
various parlors could be so segreg ated by
their own officers as 10 provide a practically
constant and regu ar stream OF travel to the
valley for many months. The Native Sons
have now 200 parlors in this State There is
at least one parlor in every important town In
California. The total mem bershlp is about
Ia, 900, and is composed OF active young men
interested in the advancement OF the State. A
very la ge portlon of these have never visited
the Yosemite, but desire to do so. We be-
lieve that many, if not most, of these young
Californ:ans need only the stimulus of an
organized movement and cheap rate within
their average means to go TO the valley.
There is so at present proposal TO inaugu-
rate q general annual field meeting of the
Sierra Club, to be held in Yosemite Valley for
from three o five days in July.
We would suggest that a special rate to
members OF the Sierra Club for such meet
ing would be advantageous to the Yosemite
to the transportation companies, and to the
State as an advertising agency. The stages
and hotels interested IN such a movement, all
by their proprietors or agents, look favorably
on the suggestions outlined.
Upon favorable reply, with the rates ac-
oeptable to your company, we will arrange
details with the other parties in interest, n
case your company does not elect to do this
and after consultation with you, we ill make
definite and official propo ais for the move
ment, to the order Of the Native Sons and to
the Sierra Club.
We beg TO call the attention of the railroad
company to the heavy handicap the Yosemite
travel now suffers due to the hot, dusty AMI
uninteresting ride through the foothills to
the timber line. A raIIroad extension OF
about thirty miles from any one OF the several
directions would, in the judgment of those ac-
quainted with the situation, very greatly In
crease business of all kinds connected with the
Yosemite Valley and The National Park.
Charles e. Baily, member of the Sierra
Club, was present and suggested to the
commissioners that they select suitable
site upon which the club might be per.
mitted to erect cottage to be known as
the Sierra Cottage" The commissioners
took favorable view of the proposition
and promised Mr.. Baily that they would
look into the matter and let him know.
small force of men are now working
In the valley cleaning up the grounds after
the summer tourists have left.