The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-08-12

travelling in their own automobiles Many thou
sands will visit than park; other thou-
sands will visit several parks still other thousands
would like to visit all of the parks. These ma
tionaI parks the peoples Fairgrounds; the
people should be able to get to any or all of them
easily IN their own cars So all twelve should De
connected by good roads-by the National PARK
to-Park highway.
This Scenic West is alive this summer with visi-
tors from every nook and Granny of the United
States. It is summer PARADISE land of high
mountains, great forests cold rushing streams,
clear lakes, wild flowers. camping grounds. and
trout: of everlasting snow on 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 Rocky Mountain
had 169,492 and Yellowstone 62261 and Glacier
1886 and Mount Rainier 55.232 and Yosemite
5S.362 and around the circle. Every year
the people go there to play in greater numbers.
Every year the travel by private Increases; in
1917 there were 54,692 and in 1919 there were
97,721. Every year the park-to-park traffic grows
larger.
So here's the plan: At this writing-probaby
half around the 4OOO-mile circle from Denver
is official pathfinder picking out tentative
When he has completed the round he will
lead an official party around the circle and this
official party will fix the official route. Then every
body-states, counties municipalities and semi
public organizations will get together and fix up
the National Park-to-Park highway. Possibly the
federal government will also join in the work.
The National Park-to-Park highway project
originated in 1915, the that tourist travel by
private motor first assumed impressive proper
lions. The next summer meeting held in
Yellowstone National park and the National Park
to-Park Highway association was formed. Gus
Hom'S of Cody, WyO., 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 con-
struction of at least good highway connecting
these twelve national parks in the Scenic West,
to increase publicity and to encourage inter-park
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 tourney. He is A. L. Westgard. His Official
title is route director field representative or
something of the kind of the American Automobile
association He has probably had a hand in laying
out every one Of the many transcontinental routes
He admits having made IL east and west trans
continental trips and so between the Canadian line
and Uncle Sans south boundary. The sec
rotary of the Interior John Barton Payne, Director
executive committee Of the American Automobile
association gave him an official start from the
department of the interior building. On this trip
he is also the personal representative OF Director
Mather.>
lime % Mr.. Westgard left Denver on his path
ending trfp turning TO the north and heading first
for Rocky Mountain National park, 10 miles north
west Of Denver. It will be busy trip and wiz