Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-09-03
a National Park in Maine

Names Third district. not only has
100 per cent record in support OF the
Presidents war measures, but he has
a record of service for his State and
the nation in other ways, that is un-
surpassed by that of any statesman.
part Of this service is trip to the
war fronts in France, Belgium and
Italy.
In CONGRESSMAN Peters the Presi-
dent recognizes a reliable. patriotic
statesman of breadth and power. loyal
to every national interest and too big
to play politics.
Congressman Peters has found time
to do good chore for Maine. with
all his duties on important commit
tees of Congress and in time of war.
Read what George B. Dorr, the gov
eminent custodian, says
The resort interests Of Maine have
only yet begun to be developed. For
one person who now comes into the
state for health, pleasure and refresh
mcnt. ten should come, and will, a few
years hence-with right development.
The National government, recog-
nizing this and the value to the peo-
pic Of what Maine has to give, is now
establishing, where sea and noun
tains meet upon its coast, the nrst
National Park in the East.
TT is a great recognition, for the
National policy is to include only in
the National Park System what IS SUI
preme Of it's type and will, on de-
velopment by the Government. draw
reople to it from the whole country
over.
'Bu. the National Park Service
has a far wider aim than the devel-
opment of single areas. however
beautiful or interesting. 1t plans to
make those on which the National
seal is set instruments TO aid in the
resort development of the whole ter
ritory which they represent.
Mount Desert Island has been Sc
lected out of all the East to repre-
sent in a single tract it's coast and
mountains. The whole resort indus
tr, Of Maine, accordingly, both shore
and inland. and all who provide for it
directly or indirectly-will be ben
Gifted by this Parks creation.
in winning this for Maine, with
the honor and advantage to the state
that will accrue from it, invaluable
service has been rendered during the
past year by Congressman John A.
Peters of Ellsworth who had the vi
sion to see what it would mean, and
has used in furthering it the excep-
tional influence given him at Wash
ington by the regard and friendship
in which his fellow congressman hold
him.
THE work that he has done this
year for Names advancement as a
great National resort is one that the
Whole State must ultimately recog-
nize."
In June of the present year the
Springfield Union published an arti-
Gle by Stephen r Mather, director of
the National Park Service, in part as
follows:
The bill before Congress to create a
national Park in Maine will add a new
Zest to the vacation season in New Eng
land and the East. The area already IS
reservation under the Jurisdiction OF
the National Park Service. President
Wilson proclaimed it the Sieur de Monts
National Monument in 1916. When 1t
assumes the more important status of
parkhood it will be called the Mount
Desert National Park. Its significance
is further emphasized by the fact that
it may be the first national park east OF
the Mississippi; but the first. let us
hope. of several in the not distant flu
ture. 1t is also the only one in which
the ocean is a scenic element.
For several reasons it would be hard
to find elsewhere an area which could
introduce national parkhood to the East
with greater distinction. Mount Desert
Island is one of the most beautiful spots
which even the coast of Maine car offer.
Its island-dotted waters lead UP to a
mass of bold low mountains rising di-
rectly from the rockbound shore. Bar
Harbor lies on its northeast. Other re-
sorts front the southern and south
western bays. The dozen or more
central part of the island. their foothills
approaching within mile of these re-
sorts. constitute the reservation which
the Congressional bill. when enacted,
will create the Mount Desert National
Park. A fine automobile road skirts the
shore. connecting the seaside villages.
and cuts across the island on the north.
wholly surrounding the park
Already the region is visited by thou
sand Of summer residents. The union
of mountain. beach and rocky shore is
unique upon the Atlantic coast To
combine the fishing. sailing and bathing
OF the seashore with the pleasures of a
northern primeval crest, rocky heights,
fresh water lakes and the inspiring
views and climbs Of a mountainous re-
gion is an experience which can be en-
joyed nowhere else. This is one of the
reasons why Mount Desert Island is
the resort of so many summer thou
sands.
1t was to secure these mountains for
ever to the public. that group of pub
lie spirited men recently acquired the
property now in the park and presented
it to the nation. This is an achievement
in public spirit OF which New England
has good reason to be proud.