Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-08-06

parts of the country are visiting these
~ national parks at this very moment
Eighty-five per cent of them are
travelling in their own automobiles. Many thou
sands will visit more than one park; other thou-
sands will visit several parks; still other th0usanas
would like TO visit all Of the parks. These ma
tionaI parks are the peoples Fairgrounds; the
people should be able to get to any or all or them
easily In their own So all twelve should be
connected by good roads-by the National PARK
to-Park highway.
This Scenic West Is alive this summer with wish
tors from every nook and Granny of the United
States. 1t is a summer paradse-a land of high
mountains, great forests, cold rushing streams,
clear lakes, wild flowers camping grounds, and
trout: of everlasting snow the peaks. bright
skies, cool nights; of the primeval wilderness OF
scenic roads and of good hotels There are more
national park visitors this summer than there were
last summer and last summer Rocky Mountain
had 160,492 and Yellowstone 62 261 and Glacier
1886 and Mount Rainier $500 and Yosemite
1892 and around the circle. Every year
the people go there to play in greater numbers.
Every year the travel by private car increases; In
1917 there were 54.602 and in 1919 there were
97.721. Every year the park-tO-park traffic grows
larger
SO here's the plan: At this writing probably
half around the 4,000mile circle from Denver
IS official pathfinder picking out a tentative
route When he has completed the round he viii
lead Official party around the circle and this
official party viii fix the official route Then every
body-statee counties. municipalities and semi
public organizations win get together and fix up
the National Parkto-P Park highway Possibly the
federal government viii also join in the work.
The National Park-to-Park highway project was
originated in 1915 the year that tourist travel by
private motor first assumed impressive proper
lions. The next summer meeting was held In
Yellowstone National park and the National Park
to-Park Highway association formed. Gus
HOlms of Cody Wyo. a national park and good
roads enthusiast who had put through the Yellow
stone highway. elected president. L. L. New
ton OF Wyoming secretary. and Scott Leavitt Of
Montana treasurer. Director stephen T. Mather
OF the national park service elected guide
philosopher and friend" OF the association. The
purpose OF the organization Is to promote the
struction of at least sne good highway connecting
these twelve national parks In the Scenic West
TO Increase publicity and to encourage interpark
tourist travel. A number Of state branches have
been formed. The war interfered with the project.
Now the time is ripe for active operations.
June / the pathfinder left Washington on his
long Journey. He Is A. L. Westgnrd His official
title il route director or field representative or
something OF the kind Of the American Automobile
association He has probably had hand In laying
ont every one Of the many transconfInentaI routes
He admits having made Is east and west trans
continental trips and 30 between the Canadian line
and Uncle Sans south boundary. The new sec
rotary of the Interior John Barton Payne Director
ATather and A. @. BatcheIder, chairman Of the
executive committee Of the American Automobile
association gave him official start from the new
department of the interior building On this trim
he is also the personal representative Of Director
Hather.
June rs Mr. westgard left Denver on his path
finding trip turning TO the north and heading first
FOR Rocky Mountain National park. IS miles north
Gest Of Denver II vii be = busy "trip and via