Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-05
EDUCATING AMERICANS
TO HOME ATTRACTIONS
Department Of Interior Innuguratcs
Plan to Develop Marvellous
Natural Beauties.
THIS COUNTRY HAS NO RIVAL
Mark Daniels, Superintendent of Ma
tional Parks, Says Italy, SwitZcr-
land and Tyrol Can't Compare in
Scenery to United States.
(By Mark Daniels, General Supcrinten-
dent nnd Landscape Engineer OF
National Pnrks.)


National PnrksD
There are in the United States the
oldest living things on earth. the deep
est canyons In the world, the highest
water falls. tho finest glaciers within
easy reach Of tourist travel, the finest
mountain climate, ruined cities Of n
lost race. the greatest trees on earth
all Of this In country with popula-
ton In excess OF 100 100000, n large
proportion OF which spends its time
abroad In search of mountain scenery.
Think Of It, Canyons over "A mile deep.
water falls u half-mile high. peaks
from the summit Of which can be seen
land three miles below and giant trees
that were 5000 years old when Christ
was born, all in a country :he people
OF which epend annually n quarter Of
n billion dollars In foreign lands to
Wow similar. but inferior scenery
Surely there must be some reason for
this apparent Illogical condition. cs-
pecially when the areas that comprise
most of these wonders are in rcserva-
tions administered by the government
OF TINT great people.
Nevertheless, the fact Of the matter
is that Just such conditions do obtain
and II was not until Secretary OF the
Interior Franklin K. Lane took hold
that ther. appeared any light upon the
horizon that might indicate any ap-
probable change for the better. He has
been wrestling with the problem. and
the solution is now forthcoming.
Many people have asked. why docs
not our government do more work in
the national parks?" Others. and al
WAYS those who have not seen them.
ask. why should the government be
asked TO spend money on the nauonai
parks when there are so many other
important things needed"
ADMINISTRATION OF PARKS
LACKS DEFINITE POLICY
Between these two factions with op-
posite views the government has most
successfully sailed neutral course.
Congress has appropriated a compare
lively small sum each year which mas
sufficed to oil the troubled waters that
we're constantly agitated by the storms
OF protest on the part OF those VINO
know and love our national PARKS
which sums were At tho same time not
OF sufficient magnitude TO seriously an
tagonize those who wished more money
appropriated for rivers and harpors'
There were several contributing rae
tors which have served % maze me
continuation of this condition possioie'
some OF which are lack of appreciation
of the Importance OF scenery as tac-
tor in the country's economic develop
ment the tremendous volume OF "orh
in the charge OF Cabinet officers. par
ticularly tho Secretary OF the Interior
rendering II Impossible loI Hliii W So
park matters his fuller attention lack
OF . definite policy n the administra-
ton Of the parks, and ignorance on the
part Of the public as to the mag
n!hcence and glory OF our scenic reser-
vatiors. Perhaps the most potent or
these Is the first mentioned.
Until recently. the parks have been
looked upon as more orsless OF lux
ury, and therefore a financial burden
to tho government. The value OF
scenery as an asset. as natural re-
source has however. been emphasized
converted. II ia only necessary to
study the results obtained in Italy.
Switzerland and the Tyroi 10 come TO
fuller appreciation of the Importance
Of scenery as resource
DIVERT EUROPEAN TRAVEL.
TO NATIONAL PARKS HERE
Over $500. 100000 leave this country
spent abroad Switzerland alone Sc
cures revenue OF $3.50, 100000 an
nually from the sale OF her scenery,
large proportion Of which comes from
the United States.
II Is true that not all OF the $780,
100000 spent abroad by Americans Is
for scenery alone. but a very corstd-
cradle proportion is, and the pcssibil-
ity Of retaining some of this has aroused
the interest of many in the question OF
the advisability OF systematically de.
ve!oping our national parks with nm
eye to diverting at least some OF the
EuroyeaR travel TO home channels
Early in his term OF once an Secre-
tarv OF the Interior. franklin X. Lane
cam, to full realization OF the i'm
por &c OF scenery as a national asset
an vertaxed as he was he set about
plssging a way to open and develop
our national parks. the eventual ac-
complishment OF which will be another
link In the long chain of things accom-
plished by linn for the American peo-
pie.
Heretofore the affairs Of the parks
had been attended to by officers in the
department who had many other mat
ters to attend to along with the park
problems. and these men were not In
tImately acquainted with the parks
The secretary's first step was TO Gre
ate the office OF general superintendent
and landscape engineer, with head
quarters In San Francisco. whose prime
duty should be n thorough and exhaus-
tive study OF conditions ir the parks.
to the end that with his intimate
might be taken looking toward the
establishment OF comprehensive
policy.
Primarily. the National Parks are
maintained for all the people and IT
was found that IL even small frac-
parks. three things were essential,
namely. tons. transporta-
ton and publicity.
MUST EDUCATE PEOPLE
OF ATTRACTIONS AT HOME
1t was obvious that people would
3ot travel to tho parks unless they
$ere informed of the attra ctions to
be found in them.
Heretofore. the only information that
was disseminated from the office OF the
Secretary took the form of a few semi
technical bulletins which were sent out
IN response to the letters Of inquiry
sent In by those directly interested.
broad. more comprehensive scheme
was needed, one by which the atten-
ton OF millions Of the Inhabitants of
this country could be called to the
marvels and phenomens to be found
IN the parks. IL II was ever hoped to
divert any material percentage of trav-
ell to home lands