Evening star., 1921-05-20
URGES EXPOSITION.
ON NATIONAL PARKS
Exhibit in Connection With
National Museum Proposed
by George Shiras, Sd.

An exposition of the national parks.
in connection with the National Muse
um, was proposed for the District by
George Shiras. 3rd. at the annual
meeting of the National Parks As
sociation. at the Cosmos Club. yester-
day afternoon.
The proposal for a permanent eX-
position here of the great national
parks. which would include many
habitat groups of the animals of the
parks. was indorsed by the meeting
and will be further considered by the
executive committee of the associa-
ton.
No Extensive Exhibit Here.
Mr.. ShiraS. who discovered the
moose of Yellowstone Park pointed
out that at present the National Cap
ltal has no permanent and extensive
exhibit of the beauties. fauna and
flora of the national parks. In con-
necticn with the National Museum. he
said. an exhibit might be establi shed
which would be an addition to the
city as well as an incentive to the
hundreds who come here each year
to visit the parks.
The executive committee of the Ma
tional Parks Association is headed by
Charles d. Walcott. secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution. and includes
Henry B. F.. Macfarland president of
the association; Robert Sterling Yard.
executive secretary: Leila Mechlin.
secretary of the American Federation
of Arts and Edmund Seymour, presi-
dent of the American Bison Society.
Outlines Commercialism Peril.
The greater part of the meeting was
given over to the report for the past
year of Secretary Yard. who outlined
at length the peril which confronted
the national parks of the country
last year through the menace of the
attacks of commercialism.
Mr.. Yard told of the fight waged
by the National Parks Association
against various bills introduced into
Congress in the interest of water
power companies last year. and spoke
optimistically of the future of the
parks. The Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution and other large ma
tional societies had aided the asso-
citation in its fight. he said.
Membership of 1900.
The National Parks Association has
a membership of 1.300 persons. large
increase over last year. Mr.. Yard
reported. He stressed future con-
servational opportunities akin to the
main objective of the association.
President Macfarland declared that
the association in its two years of
existence. has justified its existence.
The association is essential for the
defense of the parks from the at
tacks of commercialism. which. he
said. IF it had its way, would break
them down."
The report of Charles j. Bell. treas
urer. showed the finances of the as
sociation to be in a satisfactory con-
dition. The budget for the ensuing
year was approved
Dr. George F.. Bowerman. librarian
Of the Public Library, made sugges-
tions for interesting the Librarians
of the country in the work the as
sociation is doing.
Letter to Mr. Lanes Family.
The secretary was instructed TO
send letter of coincidence on behalf
Of the association to the family of
the late Franklin X. Lane, who. as
Secretary of the Interior. took
great interest in the national parks
A. G. Batchelder of the American
Automobile Association. a member of
connecting up the various national
parks by a system of highways. This
series of interstate roads. he said,
would make the parks easy of access
to thousands more of people each
year.
The meeting yesterday afternoon
was preceded by a visit of the mem
bers of the association to the White
House. where they were received by
President Harding. who expressed
organization.
Following the reception the MEM
bers were entertained by President
Nacfarland at an open air dinner in
the ward of the Cosmos Club.
1t was decided at the meeting to
prepare a memorial to be sent TO
President Harding, explaining more in
detail the objectives and past work