Pueblo chieftain., 1921-07-10
SCENERY ONE OF
GREATEST RESOURCES

Scenery II one of the most valuable
resources of any country. writes Al
bert q. Fail. secretary OF the interior.
in the American Forestry Magazine.
This was evidenced before the war by
the great part tourist travel played in
the income OF France. Switzerland.
Italy, and other countries. and the ef-
fort now being made by foreign coun-
tries to re-ertablish the tourist indus
try on larger plane. For touring is
based on the enjoyment of scenery.
and the country that has the best TO
show will enjoy the largest infux OF
visitors.
As nation we are richly endowed
with scenery. but pre-eminent stand
the national parks. Briefly stated.
these now number nineteen. and, in
cludins the tremendous volcanic ex-
hibits OF the Hawaiian islands and the
Bount Mckinley game section of
Alaska. are areas of supreme scenic
splendor or possessing other unique
quality. which congress has set apart
for all time for the use, health. recre-
alton and enjoyment OF the people.
In the creation OF national parks
the element OF sire must be of such
supreme and distinctive quality or
there must be natural features SO cx-
traordinary or unique as to he of ma
tional interest and Importance.
Areas which expressed in less than
the highest terms the particular class
or kind OF exhibit which they repre-
sent are not included. for to do SO
lowers the standard. and impairs the
dignity and prestige OF the existing
national park system. This principle
Is readily understood after a supply Of
the individual characteristics OF the
existing national parks.
Tho appeal these nationally pre-
served wonderlands have made is fully
h.. ha .nha
of travel tn the parks during the last
three years. Including travel to few
of the 81 national monuments. travel
10 tho parks In 1918 amounted to AS
ssi people: in 1871? to si1.5is: and dur
ing the last season. e2o. to 1.5st5S. The
majority come in their own motor
cars.
Every opportunity is afforded the
public to enjoy their visits in the man
ner that best satisfies the individual
taste, and TO enable this. the fullest
possible freedom OF action Is granted
and the varied forms OF outdoor en-
tertalnment are provided. Hotels and
camps are established providing n va
riety Of accommodations.
Mountain climbing. horseback rid
Ing. hiking. motoring, swimming.
boating. and fishing. and above all
camping. are the favorite sports dur
Ing the height of tn. summer season.
In winter the development OF winter
Sports IN suCh parks as the yosemite.
Rocky Mountain. and Mount Rainier,
always offers opportunities for skiing.
sleiEhinc, snowshoeing. tohovEaninG.
skating and the like amidst ideal sur
roundings: indeed. most significant Is
the fact that during the last winter
the Yosemite Valley entertained visl-
tors from a. states of the Union, and
from 70 foreign countries.
Tho educational values OF the Ma
tion8l Parks arc also becoming more
and more recognized. They offer op-
portunities to universities and schools
for the conduct OF vacation period
studies. The nature guide courses
tht have been instituted have proven
exceedingly popular. and will gradu-
ally he extended to other parks
In time. adequately equipped mu-
seums containing specimens Of wild
flowers. shrubs and trees. and mount
ed animals, birds. and FISH native to
the individual parks, may be pro-
vlded
Already tho parks ae developed with
roads and trails which are being OK
panded as appropriations are made
available by congress. and yet are es-
tablished with such care that any
over-development to disturb. the quiet
enjoyment of the wild places il guard
cd against. Hunting. of course. is
not permitted. except in the Mount
Mckinley park. in Alaska. under OK
ceptional circumstances, because one
Of the prime purposes in the esta blish-
ment OF the parks is that they are to
constitute game sanctuary. where Wild