Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-01-06

it finds much state park material and much that
is more properly local. scenic survey of all the
states, made by the General Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs, shows areas suitable for national state
and local parks.
The conference will wrestle with this embarrass-
ment of riches. 1t is hoped-and expected-that
out of its deliberations win come classification
aud STANDARDIZATION of park areas and draft oil
a standard state park law, which can be amended
by the several states to suit local conditions.
When Senator Harding declared, "All America is
motoring and leaving golden trail behind" he
said something, as 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 919504 visitors. and
more than So per cent of them were travelling in
their own cars. In 1917 private cars were record
ed to the number of 54,692 last season, 12S074.
These cars bore the license plates of every state
In the Union.
All conference roads lead to DeS Moines because
it is the capital of state that has the real park
spirit and is doing thin" the right way. The
Thirty seventh genera lsembly created a state
board of conservation The Thlrty-eight assembly
endowed this board with 100000 year and other
wise empowered it, The members of this board,
who serve without pay are DR.. L. H. Pammel,
Ames, chairman; Joseph Kelso, Bellevue; John
f. Ford, Fort Dodge and Edgar r. Harlan Des
Moines, secretary.
The Iowa state park law is working insru-
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 ad
dress July "a, 1919 before the Des Moines Ro-
tarians The state has published 1t with the title
"Iowa Law, Policy and Proceedings Upon a Sys-
tenn of Public State Parks and Reservations"
"In Iowa." says Mr. Harlan at is but a short
spin from prairie lands TO fairy lands" He goes
ON to enumerate some of the beauty spots and
places OF historic and scientific interest in coun-
try Of farming land worth up to $500 an acre.
But" he says, "you cannot go swimming, boat
ing fishing, camping nor play ball unless in cities,
without trespassng." After sketching the situa
ton from the viewpoints Of both recreatonist and
owner he says in part:
'Recognzlng these conflicting truths, respecting
these inharmonious interests, the state set out to
open acquire and preserve some of these areas
Due compensa ton 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
self.respect Areas unique for scenery will be ne
duired Those embracing objects and materials
useful or interesting in scientific study will be re
served. Grounds will he bought whereon occurred
important scenes in early and recent social life;
where prehistoric works exist; where lie the ashes
OF our great whore 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 he secured. Some viii be repant
ed In time with useful and attractive trees. Small
roadside areas on streams, in shade, will be provd
cd where families touring may camp overnight and
rise I'm the morning without passing cars having
filled with dust their bed and breakfast All this,
IN time TO come is the states objective"
Chairman Pnmmel. who Is a member of the fac
ulty OF Iowa State college. reports that In the two
yeurs OF the boards exlstene II has secured IA