The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-04
FOR NATIONAL PARK
MOVEMENT TO CREATE ONE
IN HUDSON HIGHLANDS.
One of Finest Stretches of Scenery on
the American Continent and Boasts
Of Many Historic Exploits.

CORNWALL, N. Y, Nov. A. move
ment has just been started here for the
creation of a national park in the High
lands of the Hudson. Heretofore such
parks have been brought into existence
either for scenic or historic reasons. but
1t is pointed out that both arguments are
equally applicable to the plan for the
preservation under national control Of the
region in question, inasmuch as 1t is not
only the ground of some of the most
dramatic incidents OF the Revolution, but
is pronounced by world-travelers one 81
the most beautiful pieces Of river scenery
in existence.
The project contemplates setting aside
.as a government preserve about IL square
miles of the most rugged portion OF the
mountain region of the middle Hudson, ex-
tending from Cornwall to Jones Point, on
the west bank of the river, and from
Fishkili to Peekskill on the east side.
Within this territory is included at pres
emf n large amount of land belonging to the
government, comprising the West Point
reservation and Iona Island, which Is a
station Of the Navy Department. Most of
the land is still in virgin condition, being
heavily wooded, and practically none OF It
is adapted to cultivation.
The estates OF several well-known mill
ionaires lie within the territory, among
them those of J. Pierpont Morgan and
James Stillman on the west shore OF tie
river, and Stuyvesant Fish on the other
side. Other prominent residents of the
section are General Charles r. Roe, John
Bigelow and Professor n. F. Osborn.
Only three villages, Highland Falls. Car
rison's and Cold Spring lie within the area
which 1t is proposed to form into a pre-
serve, and a less number Of persons would
be affected by the adoption Of the plan
than by the setting aside of any similar
area almost anywhere In the Eastern
States.
While a considerable amount OF money
would be required to buy up all the land TO
be included within the proposed park, it
would not be necessary to purchase this
outright, in the opinion Of DR.. e. l.. Part
ridge, of New York, one Of the men most
prominently identified with the plan. In
an article which is TO appear in the next
number Of the Outlook. presenting a plan
for the creation of a national preserve on
the Hudson, DR.. Partridge points out the
meLhod py which his might be accom-
plished.
The government should obtainf' he saws
through condemnation proceedings, rights
or easements, In order to preserve the es-
sentials of q park, while diminishing MS
little as possible the value Of land for villa,
private park or small farm purposes. A
HlBnland Preserve Commission should he
created along the lines OF similar bodies.
and to the. engineer and proper officers oi
this commission there should be given fnl
authority to prevent the ruthless cuttinp
OF timber which is liable to be Of a char
acter to affect the beauty Of the preserve
and throughout that part Of the region
which can be seen by travellers on Inc
river, the officers of the commission should
have power to prevent the establishment
of disfiguring and offensive Industries. s1et
as all quarrying as q business, iron works
or chemical works.
The control Of the forestry should be
Intelligent, but reasonable. If of a proper
character, destructive forest fires would
be prevented and the possible future adj
vantage Of this region as a watershed
would be preserved. The effect of fhis
treatment Of this extensive woodland
would be to open this region TO the West
Point post-situated nearly in the centre
for military practise and ~inanuevres
and Jurisdiction for this purpose should
be given TO the United States. 1t woulc
be, IN one sense. an enlargement OF the
United States Military Reservation-mos
digniled in view Of the large expenditures
being made At West Point at the present
time
In the past most OF the national park
have been created IN the West. and IT Il
felt by the men behind tho present move