The San Francisco call., 1909-12-13
BAUM R[SENTS
OPPOSITION TO
HFTCH H[TCHY
Electrical Engineer Resigns
From Sierra Club on Account
of Directors Action
Other Members of Mountain
Climbing Organization Pre-
pare for Public Protest

Frank c. Baum, a prominent cleo
trical engineer Of San Francisco, has
resigned from membership in the Sierra
club on account of the action taken
by several of the directors in opposing
the efforts being made by the city Of
San Francisco TO secure a Sierra water
supply in the Tuolumne river and Hetch
Hetchy valley districts. In a sharp
letter written by Baum to the direc-
tors he offered his resignation and
earnestly protested against what ap-
peared 10 be policy of antagonism TO
the interests of this city. He stated
definitely that he was out Of sympathy
with the attitude of certain of the di-
rectors who would make it appear that
the Sierra club was well nigh united
in its opposition to the citys plan of
securing a Sierra water supply.
WATER SCHEME FAVORED
Baum was not alone in the club in
his antagonism to the opposition to
the Sierra water project. Warren
Olney Sr, one OF the pioneer members
CT the Sierra club, and other prOmi-
nent members sympathize with Baum's
attitude. but have decided to stay in
the club and by some definite action
demonstrate TO the public and 10 the
authorities at washington that the
Sierra club has members who strongly
support the city's water project.
These members have discussed in
formally the situation and probably
viii hold a meeting at which it win be
decided to take some action to put the
matter in the true light before the
public.
They feel that hostile influences have
used the club for their own purpose
in creating a show of sentiment against
the Betch Hetchy project, and an effort
Will be made to counteract that action.
PROTEST SENT TO GARFIELD
Baum, who has taken the most radi-
cal step in the matter, is considered
to be one of the ablest electrical en-
glneers in America. He has had
charge of several large electric power
undertakings in the Lake Tahoe dis
trict and has been the head of the
Fleishhacker electric power develop
ment work.
A direct protest against the use of
the Sierra clubs name in opposition TO
office of the secretary of the interior
During the former administration in
Washington c. II. Bentley of this city
had q conference with the then secre-
tary of the interior, James r. Garfield.
The Hetch Hetchy question was taken
up Secretary Garfield mentioned the
attitude of the officers of the Sierra
club toward the city's plans.
Bentley is not a member of the club,
but he told Garfield that he did not
think that the clubs opposition was
by any means unanimous. Garfield
asked for light on the subject.
PUBLIC ACTION PLANNED
When Bentley returned to San Fran
cisco he spoke to friends of his who
belonged to the Sierra club and they
assured him that the organization of
mountain climbers and nature lovers
was not committed to opposition TO the
municipalities proposition. He advised
his friends so to inform Secretary
Garfield and a telegram was imme-
diately dispatched to the interior de-
partment at Washington signed by
former Governor George c. Pardee,
Mayor Taylor, and other members of
the club, which stated that many of
the Sierrans favored the Sierra water
supply project.
respondence of the department of the
interior and is accessible to the secre-
tary. but the members who favor the
city's scheme believe that a fresh step
should be taken and are prepared now
70 declare themselves in a more public
way so that there viii be no misunder-
standing. either by the public or by
Secretary Ballinger and the officials at
Washington.