The record-union., 1898-12-02
YOSEMITE REPORT is FILED.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT
AMERICAS ALPS.
commissioner Tell About the
i wonderland and Make Many
Recommendations.

One of the most interesting OF all the
State officials reports that have been
filed this year, is that Of the Yosemite
Commissioners, which is now at the Of
flce of the Governor.
There is interest in Yosemite, not
only among the people Of California,
but throughout the United States. The
matter contained in the report deals
with the condition of the valley, the
needs of the commission, the neglect
OF this great scenic spot by the Federal
Government, and other matters of vital
Importance
The first part of the report deals with
the greatly reduced cost of reaching the
valley, which has been effected by bet
ter roads and lower rates. 1t is said
7hat there are evidences of neatness.
thrift, repairs and general improve
nients that are pleasing to the tourist,
compared with the old regime. The
clearing away of a great amount Of
surplus underbrush has enabled the
public to obtain far better views than
heretofore of the great scenic Won
ders. This has also given increased
pasturage for pack horses and other
horses that are driven into the valley.
The waterfalls are now visible IN a
Aofore.
There is now rock cut trail to Yer
NAL Falls, and this is said to be far
Hafer and better than the old ladders.
Bad bridges have been improved or
rebuilt, ugly fences have been removed,
and pleasant building has been con-
Etructed for the Sierra Club.
The destruction Of the Stoneman
HiQJSQ r
trouble. The loss of $4,000 has never
been made up to the Yosemite fund
from other sources. but $500 have
peen expended for temporary hoes 10
take the place of the old structure
IT is recommended that there be an
electric light plant to furnish power
and light, and it is suggested that the
power from the water in the Yosemite
would be available at little cost. This
would minimize the danger Of losses by
mre. In this connection the Commits
Eioners say:
Under the laws of this State the
Stcneman House could not be insured
and was not insured. The State in
sures its own property and we are in
Horned, has saved a great deal Of mon
ey by doing so and it seems
only just and right that the State
should take from the amounts thus
saved In insurance, a sum sufficient to
compensate that particular branch of
ahe States service which is the loser"
If it is meant, by the foregoing, that
California has a fund, or sets aside
money for the insurance Of it's own
buildings, this is an erroneous state
ment. Inquiry at the Controllers office
brought out the fact that there is not
such fund, so if the Commissioners
meant to say that the State insures its
property, they must have meant to con-
vey the idea that it insured by the
profits on premiums saved or insured
by not buying policies
The Commissioners recommend that
the Federal Government should expend
money for the care of Yosemite, as it
does for the Yellowstone Park. They
also ask that there be q careful fire
patrol. On this subject they say: 1.-THE
forests Of California need a complete
and efficient forest patrol for the sup
preston of fires. No such patrol can
be made efficient when temporarily or
ganzed and manned by political pro-
teges and recruited from distant
states, as was the preliminary organ
azation in the Sierra forest this year.
OAC VI lnSSC lOTGSI uTGS entered InG
State Park near Inspiration Point but,
by the prompt direction of the forces
of the valley to the threatened place,
the fire was put out and no serious
damage was done within the valley lin
dts Without this action on our part,
however, the fire would undoubtedly
have traversed the entire south side of
the valley with a destruction that can
hardly he estimated
They also favor advertising the scenic
wonderland, on which they say:
"One Of the most certain requirements
of the Yosemite Valley is judicious ad-
vertising. How far the State can
properly go in this matter is a sub
ject to be carefully examined. It
might advertise its tenting and camp
ing privileges in the local State papers,
together with its rules and regulations.
With attractions like the Yellowstone
Park and the Grand Canyon of the Col
prado made easily accessible and freely
advertised, it has become necessary for
the success Of the Yosemite Valley, as
a point of attraction for tourists, that
dts beauty and grandeur should be kept
before the public. Without this it will
certainly fall into more or less neg
1ect. This valley is one of the grand
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