Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-08

Washington, March S.-Active can
vass IS IN progress by the American
Civic association for public support of
the bill Of Representative Kent of Cal
ifornia for the establishment of ma
tional park service, with director and
a special force whose sole duties shall
be to conserve and develop the IA ma
tional parks, with nearly 100000
acres, which the government owns.
There are also 81 national monuments,
which the bill assigns to the same ser
vice.
One of the reasons for the service
urged by the present campaigners is
/ that the supervision Of the parks ought
| to be put under single management
! in order that the public may be en-
! couraged to "see America first" Much
! work must be done to equip the parks
with facilities to accommodate tour
| lists, and only a bureau can do it.
Canada Exploits Parks.
Land preserves in European coun-
! tries and in Canada have been success
/ fully developed and popularized by
/ that means. Other areas than those
already set aside are still available
for reservation as parks, and COM
| petent bureau could select and secure
! them before they became lost in pr1-
vate ownership.
Canada has so we'll exploited its
/ hot
! itors were attracted to them than to
I American parks in the rush of travel
| to the west last year. This illustrates
what a government can do. In urging
that no time be lost in providing SIM
liar development and exploitation for
American parks the association quotes
a special message Of President Taft
in 1912 and the arguments to the same
effect in that year by Secretary of the
Interior Fisher.
This bill is the most important ma
tional park measure that has ever
come before congress- says Enos
Mills Of Estes Park, Colorado, chair
man of the committee that represents
the American Civic association in the
movement. Its enactment will pro-
vide the necessary foundation for our
IA national parks, which are now only
5 per cent developed They need roads
and trails. popular priced q ecommoda-
tons for the general publ.2 and per-
manent organization for their devel-
opment They should have accom-
modations suited to all purses.
The parks are now used practically
to the extent to which they are ready
for visitors When developed they will
be so attractive that much of the $780,
900 900 Americans have been spending
annually abroad in sightseeing will
remain at home. Home travel reaches
all interests and helps all the people.
"A vacation in these parks means
better health and increased efficiency
| Their wonders will awaken interest in
outdoor life and will intensity love of
country. BY promoting the acquaint-
ance Of travellers from all parts they
will have a unifying effect Their
scenic and scientific attractions af-
ford a distinct educational stimulus.
BY making better citizens and a richer
country they have a part in prepared
ness and in the general welfare
Canadian parks have prospered I'M
der national service Our parks can
be made quite as popular by provision
Of food supplies and for shelter cab
ms as well as for hotels of various
grades and charges. The item of cost
should not deter trips to the parks
That can be easily arranged under
such service as the bill provides"