The Detroit times., 1913-05-12
Whaf the Government is Doing
BY RAYMOND PULLMAN,
Times Washington Bvreo1,
NetropoNtQM Bunk Budding.

BY RAYMOND PULLMAN,
Times Woshsn0ton Bureau.
Z Metropolitan Bunk Building.
WASHINGTON. May 12.--Franklin
X. Lane, secretary of the interior, IL
an ardent ''see America first" advo-
cate. The reasons
SECRETARY for his interest In
LANE URGES this home travel
HOME TRAVEL. movement, which
IL sweeping over
the country. are twofold. He Is q
Californian. and only western man
comes to realise fully how little the
great number OF Americans know OF
their native land; and. secondly, the
see America frst" movement will
result In the introduction Of thou
sands Of people to the national parks.
reclamation projects and Indian res.
ervations, which fall under the admin
istration Of the department Of the
Interior.
aside from the fact that 1t Is q
patriotic duty for every American to
see and learn about his country" said
Secretary Lane, there are other rea-
sons why there should be rapid In
crease OF travel to the newer sections
of the United States. The government
offers in the west great national pleas
ure grounds in the national parks.
under the administration OF the inte-
rior department. and the national for
ests, under the control Of the depart
ment Of agriculture. While much Is
offered for pleasure seekers. a tourist
cannct visit the west without being
impressed with the varied opportuni-
ties for investment and profit In the
rapidly developing regions from the
Rocky mountains to the Pacific coast.
When travelling for pleasure many are
introduced to the opportunities which
follow the reclamation, development
and settlement Of the new country.
My own state Of California 10 largely
settled by people who have first Wis
tied 1t on an excursion trip"
Secretary Lane thinks that trips to
countries Of the old world are helpful
/ an d educational.
MUCH SPENT but that the going.
IN FOREIGN abroad germ has
TRIPS. Injected 50 many
people In the Unit
ed States that II Ia time for Ameri.
cans to stop. look and listen. The
amount Of American gold which Is
turned over to foreign steamship and
transportation companies, to hotels
and merchants each year. Is estimated
to run from $3.50. 000, 900 to $40O, 00O.-
600. and the number OF people leaving
the United States to spend this money
in Europe varies from 100000 to 25O..
900 q season.
AT this time Of the year." contin-
ued Secretary Lane. thousands of
Americans are planning trips abroad
who have seen and know little or
nothing OF their own land, it's wonder
full scenery and the opportunities
which follow the development of the
western country. l am not decrying
foreign travel. A reasonable amount
Of It IL worth while, but there is too
little realisation of dangers in the eco
notnic drains caused by the growing
tide Of travel abroad each year. There
are too many people who flock to
Europe one season after another to
squander their money In foreign lands
AS only Americans can sQuander-
who have never travelled west Of Chi.
cago In their native land
During last year less than $4,000
people visited the Yellowstone, and
only 10000 entered the Yosemite. and
these are the governments two most
popular national parks. Glacier Ma
tional park. in Montana. whose seem
cry is as grand az that OF Switzerland,
with the added beauty OF magnificent
forest growths. attracted slightly more
than 5000 visitors last season. II
sightseeing or great national play.
grounds for recreation re the attrac.
tons which call people to travel. I
think that the parks and large res.
ervations maintained by the govern.
ment should draw more people from
the beaten paths Of European travel.
II hope that from now on the gov
eminent will do everything possible to
encourage people
WESTERN to visit the great
PARKS national parks of
ATTRACTIVE. the west and see
some of the worlds
most wonderful scenery. I hope also
that while touring our people will
want to gain q flrst.hand knowledge
of Indian life on some OF the reserva.
lions, q number Of which are in close
proximity to the national parks, and
that they will also visit some OF the
reclamation projects and see for them.
selves the wonderful economic chang.
es brought about through the magic
effect OF water In the irrigation of
arid land and the building of new
agricultural industries.
II have Just been asked II am in
favor OF q bureau Of national parks.
I am. for believe that there Is need
Of bringing all the great scenic won.
ders and national recreation grounds
under single management, with a
definite policy Of administration and
Improvement OF the peoples property.
The parks are being made more and
more accessible, and hotel and camp
ing accommodation are being i'm.
proved. The railroads are constantly
improving their service. and I think