The Coconino sun., 1920-12-10

kiCSSiNC pldH VI uCNCiopliiCul lOI oui national park system when the 1922 estimates of appropriations prepared by the National Park Service of the department of the interior are consid- cred by the enlarged house commit tee on appropriations.
 Total estimates of $2,473 3,594.50 have been submitted covering the pro- tection, improvement, maintenance and administration of the 19 national parks and "A national monuments; an area of 12,774 square miles or S,175,- 360 acres. The increase in the esti- mate of SEATS, ,594.50 submitted over the current appropriation of $973,S20. is admittedly large, but it should be remembered that these pleasuring grounds, the property of the people, comprise an area larger than the com bined states of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The number of visitors to the national parks and monuments has increased from 356,097 visitors in 1916 to 1,05S,455 visitors in 1920. While several of the parks and mon- uments are open the year round, four months is the average travel season and more than one million people are under the protection of the park rangers in that period. Besides the human life in their care, the wild an imal and bird life is dependent on their protection and care the year round. Forests of inestimable value must be protected from fire.
 But besides protection there are over 1000 miles of highways in these parks that must be maintained, several thousands of miles of trails and sever- al hundreds of miles of telephone lines. To provide proper sanitation to protect the health of the tourists, and to develop power to provide electricity to light the public camps and hotels are problems the park engineers must meet and solve.
 Under wartime conditions practi- cally no new improvement work was authorized or possible because of lim- ited appropriations and the increasing cost of labor and materials. But since the armistice travel has overwhelm- ingly turned to the national parks and because of their supreme majesty and matchless beauty they have created a pride of possession and a desire for use that have found expression in nearly every corner of our land, and even abroad. Travel increases con- stantly and provision therefor must be met. Motorists will readily apprec- ate the inadequacy of only one thous- and miles of park roads in an area equal to that of Connecticut and Mass achusetts combined. Many miles of new trail must be constructed to pro- vide means of travel for the horse han ,s,ln,. ha h,l.np 4o camp grounds must be developed and proper sanitation systems installed. The increase in the appropriations asked is to proved for these.
 The administrative costs of manag- ing and developing this vast domain in the interests of all our people are remarkably low and are due to the business policy of Secretary Payne and the organizing genius of Stephen T. Mather, director of the National Park Service.
 The following is brief review of the estimates submitted for the var ious parks and monuments which con- gress is asked to approve in beginning the proper development of our na- tion's scenic resources.
 Generals:
 One hundred thousand dollars is asked to provide an emergency fire fighting fund to protect the noble for ests from the ever-present forest haz- ard, $33,64O is asked to provide the necessary personnel for the adminis- trative office in Washington, D. C., and $1 300 to purchase and distribute national park photographic material in connection with the work of inform ing the public of the beauty and use- fitness of their scenic possessions.
 Yellowstone National Park, Wyom- ing: $492, 10000. For administra- tion, $21 ,315.00; for protection, $91,- 579.00; for maintenance, STA, ,230.00; for construction of physical improve ments, S200, ,950.00; and for miscellan- eous expenses, $4,226.
 Yosemite National Park, California: $575, ,537.50. For administration, S27,- 900; for protection, $48, 8,500; for main- tenance, $135 5,637.50; for construction of physical improvements, $365 400; and for miscellaneous expenses, $S,- 600.
 Glacier National Park, Montana: $333,l00. For administration, ST. 400; for protection. $38, $50; for main teBance, $33,00O; for construction of physical improvements, $215. $50; and for miscellaneous expenses, $28,000.
 Mount Rainier National Park, Washington: $214,40O: For admin istsation, $8,600; for protection, S10,- 504s dor maintenance, $19,000; for construction of physical improve ments, $167, 300; and for miscellan- eous expenses, 5000.
 Sequoia National Park, California: $175,217. Fro administration, $11,- 700.00; for protection, s16,757; for maintenance, $12,S60; for construction of physical improvements, $128,900; for miscellaneous expenses, $5,0O0.
 Grand Canyon National Park, Ari- zona: $169,000 For administration, $1O,600; for protection, $11 300; for maintenance, $16,000; for construction of physical improvements, $106,000; for miscellaneous expenses, including necessary surveys, $24,500.
 The principal items under new con- stulctiOn are for the widening and