Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-19
RUSH WORK IN YOSEMITE,
One of tho Days Best Cartoons.

been lively times in the Yosemite since
the snow melted, making ready for the
great crowds which exposition travel
is expected to bring with IL during
July and August Yosemite is so near
san Francisco-only a nights run
mat many whose vacations Will not
permit a tour Of several national parks
inns year are expected 10 spare two
or three days to visit this one at least
All the signs point TO large crowds
An extraordinary number of inquiries
have reached tho Department OF the
Interior daily since early April In
diridua!s from many Eastern ana
southern states, parents. school
teachers in large numbers. clerks
business men, motorists contemplating
transatlantic flights, tourist agents
anxious TO make sure Of hotel reserva-
lions for enormously increased pat
ronage. ministers forming church par
ties. Sunday-school superintendent
these and many others have been seek
ing Information about ways and means
Tor seeing the Yosemite along with
tho eXpoSitions
Then there have been inquiries from
many who arc planning personally
conducted parties either for the profit
In II or merely for tho purpose of
saving their own expenses. This years
westward flying has developed a brand
now kind Of tourist agent, the amateur
who seeks only tho chance 20 visit the
cNposi'ions and the national parks
without expense TO himself
New Busincss for Women.
The scheme is 10 work up cooper
ativc parties of greater or less size
composed for the most part OF friends
or acquaintances with the purpose Of
planning out the most delightful com
bination Of places and securing. by
concerted action. the best accommo-
dations and lowest expenses possible
or course some one person must lead
such party. which means much
study and labor In advance OF start
ing, and mansized job every day
en- route. II is only fair that the per
son undertaking this role should be
left out OF the count when tho total
expenses arc apportioncd pro rata at
the end OF the trip.
good many women will lead such
parties this summer. 1t is the expert
ence OF Enos Mills, the Rocky Noun
tain sage and naturalist. that women
make, on tho whole. better mountain
guides than men. Here is an oppor-
tunity for their genius IN economy and
management. Railroad men say that
many OF the women who will conduct
such parties westward this summer
are school teachers.
With these signs written large in
the sky Secretary Lane has taken ex-
traordinary measures to make Yoscm-
lite ready. The difficulties in the way
we're great Only one railroad is
available to reach the valley. The
Sentinel Hotel has small accommoda-
tions ut best. and the several public
camps were little larger last wear
than the minimum of normal travel
required. The response OIL the part
of the concessioners to the sccrctary's
appeal was prompt. Camp Curry was
iynr cod
tourists Camp Lost Arrow was made
10 accommodate coo. The supervisor
reported. under date of May - the
capacity of the Yosemite as follows:
Sch'lhcl notci .'............. $50
Camp Curry observation-disclosures. 900
Camp Lost Arrow ............ 500
Camp Ahwahnce .......... 900
Glacier Point Hotel. ..... 10
Zig Emergency Camp.
At the same time he reported the
reservations to date at the Sentinel
Hotel and Camp Lost Arrow alone as
l.523 people. against a combined ca
paclty of $50. On account Of the short
stay within the park which these ex-
position visitors would he likely to
make. and which he estimated at only
one and one quarter days each, he eX-
pressed the belief that 10000 visitors
could be accommodated during the sea-
son without difficulty.
But Of course, this was nowhere
near enough. Stephen T. Mather. as
sistant to the secretary. FASTENED to
San Francisco and took personal charge
OF the situation A contract was made
with the Desmond Commissary Co..
which makes business Of furnishing
commissary for large camps. and once
fed 5000 men in the mountains during
the long period required for the con-
struction OF the Los Angeles aqueduct.
Early in Jupe this company began con-
vertinG tn I'd army barracks. which
have been asserted since the passing OF
military control in the Yosemite, into
the commissary end of great new
camp to accommodate at the start 1000
persons. Arrangements were also made
by which odations may be
greatly increased to meet emergencies
IT was contracted that additional sup
piles Of tents and food would be avail
able at all times.
Weather conditions during the late
spring have been as unusual i'm tho
West as they have here. Heavy SNOWY
occurred in the Yosemite at time
when fine dry weather was conndcntIy
expected This naturally delayed tho
work. But visitors to the valley wnl
reap advantages from il, nevertheless
for the waterfalls will remain ~ ,hr
height OF their beauty lator than un,Dl
New Beauties on View
In addition to these preparations in
the valley. the grand scenery IN tho
northern part OF the Yosemite National
Park will he made accessible to Tho
public for the first time. In May, Sec.