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

In Des MOines because Iowa has become leader
among the states in park spirit and work.
More than 5000 invitations have been sent out
to individuals and organizations known to be
lively interested. And Governor Harding also an
nOunced that the attendance not limited to
persons specifically invited, for everybody inter
ested in the park movement would be welcome
The conference will discuss matters of all kinds
pertaining to national, state and local parks.
President-elect Harding in Denver March
10 last-lOng before the Chicago conventiOn-and
said, among other things, in address before
the Mile High club:
81 like the slogan See America First In these
days of the mOtOrchr might revise it and say
Motor in America First. This is the automobile
age. All America is motoring and leaving gold
en- trail behind l the golden trail in the
United States and the education and pride in the
country which attend.
I'VE are vast so varied, so physically beyond
compare that it is good to think of America first
and know America first, and do the practical
things which prosper America first.
Il shall never be content until 1 can motor from
Washington to Denver in comfort, and from this
gateway motor safely and rejoicingly over d cir
cult of our national parks and know the inspira-
ton and rejOicings that must attend"
This is the keynote of the Des Moines confer
ence. But the slogan Of the conference goes still
farther and declares:
It should be made possible for a citizen of the
United States to travel in his automobile from the
Atlantic to the Pacific and camp every night on
public ground fitted up for his comfort-national,
state municipal and local parks
81 have observed that from time TO time" saws
Secretary Payne his letter of suggestion to Gov
ernOr Harding, Suggestions made for the Gre
alton of national parks out of scenic areas that
for definite reasons should be taken up by the
states themselves, and there undoubtedly many
parks suggested to the state park authorities that
should he taken up by counties and municipalities
Recently there has been Il widespread desire on
the part Of state park authorities to confer among
themselves and with the national park service,
! en- mt
| ty of securing uniform state park legislation
throughout the country and the discussion of park
problems in general
1.-The requests for such a conference have be
come so insstent that it now seems a national
necessity, promising the greatest results to the
participants and the states they represent"
! Secretary Payne suggested Des Moines
meeting place for the conference because of the
"extraordfnary results in the field of state park
creation and development achieved by the state
of Iowa under its public park act from which
the delegates can learn much.
| Governor Hardng's invitation to the conference
! contains the following:
"Co-operating with the Honorable John Barton
Payne secretary of the interior. and in recognition
of the Importance of the public park movement
| throughout the United States, the governor of
Iowa has the honor to invite you to a national
conference parks, to be held in Des MOines,
January 10-11-12, inclusive, 1921 A program will
be presented of addresses and discussions by emf
nent leaders upon the necessity or the establish
ment and maintenance of national, state and local
parks: upon legislation administration and use of
parks; upon harmonizing and cO-ordinating these
and upon all allied subjects"
The truth Of the situation is that what may be
called the national park movement has grown
so big that it must be organized, regulated and
standardized. That is what is TO be read between
| the lines of Secretary Payne's letter The nation
wide national park movement is one Of the livest
national causes Of today. Its success and its in
creasing influence have created an enthusiasm
throughout the country for parks Of all kinds
national state and local.
There are for example. more than a score OF
| national park projects. Washington has three,
Including the Yakima valley. Iowa and Wisconsin
ask the establishment of Mississippi Valley Ma
tionaI park. Indiana. Illinois and Michigan want
national park in the dunes at the head OF Lake