The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-08-28

tiOnal park movement is the
Hvest canse which is not primarily a cause grow
ing out of the great war. Our entrance into war
in 1917 caused temporary postponement of the
plans then well under way for the organization of
this association. In its place the National Parks
educational committee formed to hold the
ground already gained and to organize the asso-
citation at propitiOus time. The committee has
done its work and the National Parks association
is now doing business, with headquarters in the
Union Trust building, Washington, d. G.
The purpose of the association is spendidy
patriotic Wholly Independent of the federal gov
eminent it will closely cooperate with the
tonal park service the bureau of the depart
ment of the interior established by congress
administer the national parks.
1T is nOnpoticaI and of its purposes is to
keep politics out OF the national parks.
1t stands for the outdoor life for recreation amid
scenic beauty; for "See America First for the
development of the national parks as great
economic assets of the nation; for keeping bill
lions of American dollars at home-before the
something like S5OO,OOOOOO a year was spent
by American tourists abroad in sightseeing of
which Switzerland alone got more than OOOO.-
OOO
Yet. Notwithstanding these many activities the
main purpose of the association is educational 1t
says to the people of the nation who are to use
these public Fairgrounds:
DO you know that national parks are ma
lures great laboratories and muSeumS-that the
splendid spectacles which national parks
present not only wonders merely
scenery. but also the conspicuous exhibits of
passing stage in the eternal progress OF creation
that they show US, upon mighty scale, the proc
esses by which she has been and is making Amer
ica-that you may double your pleasure in these
Spectacles by cOmprehending their meaning and
that intelligent study of them will introduce
you a and wonderful world? Let us know
America, and let really know it. Let know
its natural well its national history. Let us
differentiate and distinguish and appreciate.
Then only shall know
The purposes of the National Parks association
may therefore be conciSely summed up thus
To interpret the natural sciences which illus
trated in the scenic features, flora and fauna of
the national parks and monuments, and circulate
popular information concerning them in text and
picture.
To encourage the popular study of the history
exploration, tradition and folk lore of the national
parks and monuments.
To encourage art with national parks subjects
and the literature of national parks travel wild
of scenery.
To encourage the extension of the national parks
system to represent by consistently great examples
the full range of American scenery, flora and
fauna, vet confined to areas of significance
traordinary that they shall make the ma
tional park an American trademark in the cOmpe-
tition for the worlds travel; and the development
of the national monuments into system iiluStra-
tive of the range of prehistoric civilization early
exploration and history. land forms, American
forest type, wild life, etc.
To enlist the personal services of individuals
and the cooperation of societies, organizations,
schools universities and institutions in the cause
OF the national parks and monuments
The National Parks Educational committee con-
sisted of % members. Charles ID. Walcott, secre-
tary of the Smithsonian institution, was chairman
The vice chairman William Kent, former
congressman from California and the donor of
Muir Woods National monument TO me nation.
Henry B. F. Mcfarland of Washington was chair