The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-15

AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF
PATRIOTIC COOPERATION

In California there is park
known as "Sequoia National Park, '
a part Of which is covered by the
giant trees that we have heard so
much about. The land on which
these magnificent specimens Of ma
lures handiwork stand, although a
public park, was owned by private
owners who were seriously con-
sidcring selling the timber of OF
the land. In July. the Department
Of the interior, realizing that these
were the last great trees existing,
which were accessible TO tourists
and the public, made an appropria-
ton Of $4,000 to buy the holdings
from the private owners and make IL
public property. When the owners
had the value Of the timber esti-
mated by experts. IL was found that
il the trees were cut down, they
would have si56,OOO worth Of lumber.
But the owners Of the property Offer
ed 10 sell the grounds for $4,000,
which was less than half Of what j.
would bring on the market. This in
itself shows great patriotic coopera-
ton.
II more Of our people were willing
Ia make such sacrifices so that the
whole would be benefited rather
than the one small part Of the whole,
our country would be better of. II
these people had held out for
the price Of the timber on the mar
ket, the trees would probably have
been cut down, all Of the money
gone into the pockets of a few peo-
pie. and the joy Of some one hundred
millions Of people Of America, in see
ing these giant monarchs Of plant
life sacrificed When the Depart
ment Of the Interior discovered that
they did not have enough money to
buy the land, they secured a six
months option on the holdings. But
as il happened, Congress would moi
meet in time for them to secure an
additional 10000 appropriation, SC
they had given up all hope OF get
ting fhe land. However, IL happened
to occur 10 one Of The officials Ia
appeal Ia the National Geographic
Society of America. which is inter-
ested in such work. and see If they
could not secure some help from
them. When this appeal was made
the Board Of Directors Of the society
met, and after very little discussion
they drew from their treasury
$4,000 TO add to the Government APP
preparation. thus securing the
necessary funds with which to buy
the land.
One Of the trees that stands or
this preservation is 1903 feet in cir
conference and 2SO feet high and
there are many others that come
close to this one in size and gran
dcur.
A thousand years may not bring
them to their stature. but a very
few days could wipe them out for
ever. They are the only living
things that we have left To us tc
connect our present day with the
times when the Romans were ruling
over the Eastern world. when the
great Alexander sighed for more
worlds to conquer. yes, even wher
the Egyptian kings were hav-
ing the pyramids built. Nations
have risen, reached their prime, anC
slowly mouldered away into decay
and these "grizzled patriarchs' have
seen il all. This is why they should
he So precious To the world. They
are the oldest living things. NJ
one could replace them il once de
stroyed. This is why the Nationa
Geographic Society thought is wortl
while 10 aid the Government in thu
preservation Of these giants. tn
only living connecting link between
the dawn and high noon Of civil
>.zation. This is what I would cal
a most excellent example Of patriot