The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-08-13

The proposition is not such paradox as IL
seems at first thought The national PARK en-
thustasts Of the country would have the natlohai
parks system comprehensive. 1t Is already fairy
60 FOR example It contains the Grand Canyon the
most wonderful example In the world OF stream
erosion; the majestic granite peaks OF the Con
tinental divide In Rocky Mountain; the freaklsn
volcanic activities of the Yellowstone; the rencs
Of prehistoric people In Mesa Verde; Crater Lake
ia the crater of a prehistoric volcano; Larayette
On the coast of Maine exemplifylng the Oioest
rock forms In America; Mount Rainier. VAST
single peak with % living glaciers; SeQuoia with
its millions Of Big Trees.
This desire for a national park system that shall
be comprehensive is shown In the movements TO
establish the RedwoOds National park in Call
fOSua, the Mississippi Valley National park, the
Mammoth Cave National park In Kentucky, the
Dunes National park in Indiana and the okenno-
kee National park in Georgia. In the statement
0f National Park Policy" made in 1918 by the
late Franklin K Lane as secretary of the inte-
EiOr, IL found this
"In studying new park projects you should seek
20 find scenery of supreme and distinctive quail
ity or some natural feature so extraordinary or
unique as to be of national interest and mpOr-
lance You should seek distinguished examples
Of typical forms of world architecture The
national park system as constituted should
not be lowered in standard, dignity and prestige
by the inclusion of areas which express in less
than the standard terms the particular class or
kind OF exhibit which they represent"
Okefnokee is without doubt natural wonder
II covers nearly seven hundred square miles in
southeastern Georgia. Among the freshwater
swafaps east Of the Mississippi 1t is exceeded in
size only by the Everglades Its scenery is first
class Of fits kind. 1t Is refuge for some excep-
ticnalIy rare forms Of animal life 1t is an i'm
portant wintering ground for large numbers Of
migratory waterfowl 1t has extraordinary In
A0roI cff foil in cnito
Of extensive numbering operations, about 500
square miles of diversified territory In an abso-
lutely primeval state. This latter fact is i'm
portant inasmuch as it is stated that the Dismal
Swamp and the Everglades have already been
changed by man beyond the hope or possibility
Of preservation in a natural state
So, II there is to be a swamp national park. it
would appear to be a case of OkefnOkee or moth
ing
Even should the destiny of Okefinokee not be
that Of a national park. it is possible, and even
probable that some of its will be preserved
10 the nation through the OkefinOkee society
This society was organized in 1913, its object be-
ing ito give authentic publicity regarding the Oke-
hnOkee swamp; to secure its reservation and pres
ervatlOn for public, educational, scientific and
recreational uses" The society has the hearty
endorsement Of the National Park association
the United States biological survey, the American
Museum of Natural History, the National AssOcl
ation Of Audubon societies, the Geological SOcl
ety Of America, the American Game Protective
association the State Geological Survey Of Georgia
the Cornell university departments Of zOolog!
and entomology. and many scientists and nature
lovers throughout. the country. The president o
the society Is Professor James G. Needham o
Cornell university, and the secretary DR.. J.
Wilson Of Waycross, Georgia.
One OF the first aims Of the society Is to secur
certain representative portions Of the swamp a
the nucleus Of q reservation to which addition
may be made rapidly opportunity or fund
permit The society plans, after securing tn
area for reservation, to present it to the Uni
ted States government. in order that it may b
administered and perpetuated as a national viii
q life refuge.
Okefnokee was named by the Indians. Tn
name means trembling Earth" 1t Is an inspire
tion since often it is hard to say where the Ian
ends and the water begins Cowhouse Run, 70
example, is almost solid with water lilies an
anever-wets" (Orontium) yet boat can be pole
through II between cOlonnades Of cypress TO Il
lands covered with long-eaved pine (Pinus palu'
tris,. The otter hum goes about in fiat
boftomed craft with his hound. The Big Waite
stretches for miles between shoreless margin
hnnked by cypress; here one may discard tn
forked push-pole and take to the paddle. Chas