The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-14
PLANS FOR A new PARK
A Proposed National Reservation
in the Appalachian Region.
An srcn OF Mountain Peaks and Vir-
Admirable Sitc--tn Interesting Pc
titan 10 Congress From the As
sociation in Charge OF the Matter.

For some time there has been a project
on foot to establish a national park IN the
beautiful country of the southern Appala-
chan region, the site suggested lying part
ly in western North Carolina and iartly
in eastern Tennessee. For the purpose oil
bringing this public enterprise u ne al
trution Of Congress, an organization was
formed under the title of the Appalachian
National Park Association and its officers
recently completed an interesting petition
which has been submitted to tire National
Legislature and presents the desIra5uity OF
the proposed reservation from several
points Of view.
The memorial of the association Gals at
tention to the natural beauty OF the sng-
gested site, which is in the heart OF The
Great smoky Mountains the Balsanl Noun
fains and the Black and Craggy Noun
tains. There are In this group forty-three
elevations of 600 feet and upward in alu-
tude numerous others of inferior height,
and all are clothed in virgin forest. inter-
sected by deep valleys. and abound IN
brooks, rivers. and waterfalls. Prof. Grey.
the eminent botanist. is authority for the
statement that greater number OF m
digenous trees may be encountered IN
trip OF thirty miles through western North
Carolina than can be observed in trip
from Turkey to England. through Europe
or from the Atlantic Coast to the Rocky
Mountain plateau. The association de-
clares that unless protected by the Ma
tional Government this rare eXpanse oi
American woods. with its beauty and va
riety. will fall before the ak, inasmuch as
there is an increasing scarcity OF timber.
Locking at the park project from the
standpoint of the scientific forester. 1t is
remarked that these mountain woods act
as storehouse for moisture for the dry
season. and at other times tend 10 check
the too rapid flow OF water. thus prevent
ing destructive floods. Many rivers rise
in the mountains in question and the
obliteration OF the forest areas viii work
irreparable injury 10 the water supply.
The petition proceeds TO comment upon
the heaithtulness OF the Appalachian re-
gion. stati-g that the plateau lying be
tween the Great Smoky Mountains aud
the Blue Ridge is one OF the natural health
resorts of the world: that malaria is IN
known there; that pulmonary inyalids find
great relief from Its climate, and that the
territory offers superior advantages Tor
the establishment OF a soldiers and sail
ors' sanitarium. This part OF the Appsla-
chan range is but twenty -four hours dis
tsut from New York. Chicago. st. Louis,
Toledo, and the Gulf States, within easy
reach of millions Of people. and from its
central location would be. in fact, rs well
as name. a national park.
The attention OF Congress is directed to
the fact by the petitioners. that there is
no national park OF the character OF the
one suggested east OF the Yellowstone.
which is considerably more than 2Oep
miles from the Atlantic coast; nor Is there
even a forest reserve east of western Da-
lGota which is but few hundred miles
nearer The Chicksmauga battlefield,
SAYS the petition. though called. it is be-
lieved a National Park possesses Zone
of the characteristics OF such a park as Is
now under consideration
IL is confidently believed by those who
are forwarding the project that no forest
reserve in the country. with possibly one
exception. would yield a larger return TO
the Government The forests are very
dense: the timber OF valuable species: the
underground is SIN 10 a large extent un-
injured by fire. and the forest, when made
accessible by Government roads, and man
aged In q scientific manner, would, ii is
asserted. yield an immediate. a constant,