The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-01-13


it finds much state park material and much that
is mere properly local, scenic survey of all the
states made by the General Federation of WO1n-
ems Clubs, shows areas suitable for national state
and local parks
The conference will wrestle with this enbarrass-
ment Of riches 1t is hOped-and eXpected-that
out OF its deliberations will a classification
aud standardization of park and draft of
standard state park law, which be amended
by the several states to suit local conditions.
When Senator Harding declared, ''AII America is
motoring and leaving a golden trail behind he
said something. the tongue of the day has it.
The official national parks attendance figures for
1920 give hint Of this motor travel In 1916 there
were 356,O97 visitors TO the national parks and
probably large majority of them went by rail-
road. In 1920 there were 5O4 visitors and
more than Go per cent of them were travelling in
their own cars. In 1917 private cars were record
ed to the number of "a, 1892; last season, 128O74
These cars bore the license plates of every state
In the Union
All conference roads lead to Des AIoines because
it is the capital of state that has the real park
spirit and is doing things the right way. The
Thirty-seventh general assembly created state
board of conservation. The Thirty-eight assembly
endowed this board with 100000 a year and other
wise empowered it. The members of this board,
who serve without pay DR.. L. H Pamnel,
Ames chairman; Joseph Kelso, Bellevue; John
F. Ford, Fort Dodge and Edgar r Harlan Des
Moines, secretary.
The Iowa state park law is a working instrr1-
ment. The state board of conservation with the
written consent OF the executive council has the
power to establish public parks in all suitable
places and to improve them and make them ac-
cessible from the public highways The board has
power to purchase or condemn lands for both park
and highway purposes.
Secretary Harlan, who is curator of the state
historical department, delivered an eloquent adj
dress July a, 1919, before the Des Moines Ro-
tarians. The has published il with the title
iowa Law, Policy and Proceedings Upon a Sys-
tenn of Public State Parks and Reservations"
spin from prairie lands to fairy lands" He goes
to enumerate of the beauty spots and
places of historic and scientific interest couu-
try of farming land worth up to $500 an acre.
But he says, you cannot go swimming boat
ing. fishing, camping play ball. unless in cities
without trespassing" After sketching the situa-
ton from the viewpoints of both recreationist and
owner he says in part:
Recognizing these conflicting truths respecting
these inharmOniOuS interests, the set out to
open, acquire and preserve some of these areas
Due compensation shall be made to private own
ers. Appropriate provision will be made that the
healthful may resort TO the open air with safety
without contempt Of fellow citizens and with full
sef-respect, Areas unique for scenery will be &C
quired. Those embracing objects and materials
useful interesting In scientific study will be re-
served. Grounds viii be bought whereon occurred
important scenes in early and recent social life;
where prehistoric works exist where lie the ashes
of our great where shafts that speak Of all these
facts should stand. Shore lines of lakes and riv-
ers; reservoirs; sleeps and slopes deforested in
early days Will be secured. Some will be repIant-
ed in time, with useful and attractive trees Small
roadside streams, in shade, viii be provid-
ed where families touring may camp overnight and
rise In the morning without passing cars having
filed with dust their bed and breakfast. All this,
in time TO come Is the states objective"
Chairman Pammel who is member Of the fac
ulty of Iowa State college reports that in the two
years Of the boards existence 1t has secured Il