Evening star., 1920-06-06
STARTS ON TOUR
OF NATIONAL PARK
Secretary Payne and A. A. A.
Officials See Departure of
A. L. Westgard.

Secretary of the Interior John Bar
ton Payne, Director Of National Parks
Stephen T. Mather and officials of the
American. Automobile Association
were present Tuesday when A.. L.
Westgard, field representative of the
A. A. A., made his getaway for cir
cult of the national parks
Mr.. Westgard is making the trip
under the auspices Of the American
Automobile Association and in the in
terests of national park-to-park high
way. He is perhaps one of the best
known automobile tourists in the
country.
Will Go to Denver.
from this city to Denver. Col. where
he will join an expedition Of west
ernerS who have taken upon them
selves the task of laying out ma
| tional park-to-park highway passing
/ through seven states. AS soon as a
forts will be made all along the line
! to improve the roads through federal, |,
state and county cooperation.
After Mr.. Westgard and President
Gus Holm of the National Park-to-
Park Highway Association and other
=
| made the preliminary circuit there
will be an official tour, starting from
Denver. August 25, Ola comprehen-
sive character.
This tour will occupy sixty days
in covering the national parks and
national monuments and other atrac-
tions. Director Of National Parks
Mather will be a member Of the sec
ond tour. along with other men who
are deeply interested in making it
really possible to see America first,
! through the medium of good roads.
Links Up National Parks.
1t is the belief Of many Americans
that numerous dollars spent abroad
| can be kept at home if the scenic at
| fractions in the states west of the
] Mississippi river are connected UP
with real roads. With travelable ar
| teries from one national park to an
other, thousands of citizens from
| states not blessed with natures won
ders will be attracted by a park-to-
park highway available in dry as well
as wet weather and linking up the
reation reservations Of the country.
| Representative F.. w. Mondeil Of
! Wyoming, in commenting on Mr.,
westeard's trip. said:
| Il know of no undertaking promis-
ing more for the education and en-
i p0ODlG
than a realization of the plans for the
building of the national part to park
highway system. Connecting spots OF
rare beauty. embracing variety in
type and character, such a highway
would prove attractive and edifying
to the increasing legions of motor
tourists. and, in my opinion, must
| contribute to a better understanding
and appreciation of the potential re-
sources of the great west, and at the
same time present a lesson of inspira-
ton to those who love nature"
| Commended by Senator's.
Senator John D. Kendricl, also of
Wyoming. commends the linking ur
: Of our national recreation spaces:
cit is no longer a matter OF argu-
ment good roads are essential to the
economic growth of our country OF
that the money expended in improv-
ing our national highways is a most
profitable investment. A peculiar
| value, however, attaches to the park
to-park highway plan. Our national
parks are among the most wonder
full and beautiful scenic spots Of the
world. but hitherto they have been
too little known to the people Of our
country, and. indeed. to the people
OF the west"