The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-03
A Menace to the Yellowstone.

A Menace to the Yellowstone.
The number OF tourists who have
visited the Yellowstone National Park
this year is far in excess Of the record
OF any previous season. The increase
has been due largely to the Lewis and
Clark fair at Portland, Ore, visitors
to which have been induced by the low
railroad rates to make an excursion into
the park on their way to or from the
Pacific Coast. 1t is now possible to
arrange the trip so as to leave tho park
near the southwest corner, instead OF
going back to the entrance at Gardner
on the north border In order to get out,
80 that the traveller may see all the
principal points Of interest in the reser-
walton without retracing his steps.
This plan, however, involves stage
ride Of sixty miles to Monida, on the
Oregon Short Line between Butte and
Ogden, with a stop overnight at ham,
let named Dwelle, on branch Of the
Madison River, where the conditions Of
hotel life are somewhat primitive.
This Monida route out Of the Yellow
stone is controlled by the Union Pacific
Railroad Company, and to some extent
is run in opposition to the Yellowstone
Park Transportation Company, whose
stages take the great majority Of visit
ors through the reservation, and which
is controlled by the Northern Pacific.
Special attention has been drawn to the
character and conduct Of the drivers
in the Yellowstone during August by
the report which apparently originated
at Cody, in Wyoming, and was widely
published throughout the country, to
the effect that a Yellowstone coach had
been overturned on precipitous road
by the carelessness Of drunken driver
and that several Of the passengers had
been badly hurt, some of them fatally.
The story was wholly false, but it led
tourists in the Yellowstone to observe
that care on the part Of the stage drivers
there is the rule and that they seldom
run any risk which ought to trouble the
most timid Of travellers. Nor is there
any evidence Of tendency among them
to indulge in strong drink. This is not
true outside the park limits, onthe Monida
stage line, where on one day in August
a stageful OF passengers was driven
thirty miles by driver who truthfully
stated in their hearing, as he mounted
the box, that he was drunk as an owl.
The Union Pacific ought to put an end
to this sort Of thing if it expects to make
the Monida route popular. We doubt
whether there ever was a more unat-
tractive luncheon station, withfllthier sur
roundings, than that near Lake View, half
way between Dwelle and Monida. No
intelligent traveller would willingly stop
there a second time.
As is well known, the national Gov
eminent has thus far refused resolutely
to sanction the construction Of any
railways in the Yellowstone Park. What
the traveller sees there he must see from
a stage or surrey, or from horseback, or
on foot. The regular stage Journey
occupies five and half days. 1t is none
too long and the rate Of travel none too
slow if the visitor desires to carry away
with him any abiding impression Of the
wonderful beauty, grandeur and variety
of the scenery. Yet the cry is constantly
heard among the throng Of tourists,
"Oh, how much nicer it would be il we
only had steam railroad or trolley
here. We could see the whole thing in
one day." OF course, the more thought
full traveller does not agree with this
view He realizes that the value Of the
reservation as park for the benefit
and recreation of the people demands
q slower introduction to its attractions
and a longer sojourn among them than
could be had upon railway excursion
ride within it's limits. We do not mean
to have it understood that anything like
a majority Of the visitors to the Yellow
stone express themselves in favor Of the
introduction Of railways as yet, but the
proportion of those who avow some
such sentiments as those we have quoted
was unpleasantly large at tho height Of
the season this year, and the feeling
thus expressed should not be allowed
to go without challenge, or it may de-
velop into menace to the integrity and
usefulness of this great national recrea-
ton ground.
One of the highest authorities on
every matter relating to the Yellow
stone National Park is Captain HIRAM
MARTIN CHITTENDEN, U. 8. A., the
engineer officer in charge OF the Govern
ment work there. In commanding the
rare foresight Of Congress in reserving
one spot In the national domain where
original conditions may remain undis-
turbed, he thus summarizes the argu-
ments for the exclusion Of railroads:
Tho moment railroads arc built through the
park II loses forever that original condition which
10 one Of It's greatest charms They would un :.
doubtedly work serious damage 70 the game and
10 the forests. 70 nothing Of their effect on the
natural beauty Of this region Electric lines would
be less Objectionable than steam railroads, but
the same fundamental argumeut appliss 70 them