South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-20

tionaI parks. and millions OF dollars
we're left by tourists IN Colorado,
Mills said.
lIr. Mills. who Is a naturalist and
the author OF such books on outdoor
life as wild Life IN the Rockies.
Long Speak Inn" Scotch" and
The Thousand Year Pine" spoke
under the auspices OF the Kendall
vile library. and public schools.
He deplored the fact that many
natural history stories enormously
pictured wild animals OF the Rock
les as ferocious. There is not
ferocious wild animal on the North
American continent; one has no
need Of a nrearm In the wilds but
they probably need weapon In
such civilized centers as Chicago and
New York city" the great naturalist
said.
Introduce Mills.
Mills was introduced as the man
who had camped and explored in
the wilds Of the United States. Can
ada. Mexico and Alaska. and who
sojourned of the beaten paths In
the far north FIVE years before
KlOndike and the subsequent rush TO
the gold fields Of the north was
heard OF. Because he has spent the
greater part OF his life In the open.
he has q personal knowledge OF the
habits OF all wild life creatures. such
as animals and birds, 10 be found on
this continent. as well ss an init
mate acquaintance with geological
and typographical formations and OF
plant and tree life.
He spoke Of the grizzly bear as
one OF the brainest animals on
earth, dignffied. stearn. leading almost
a solitary life but having time 10
play and when In such moods, was
the clown OF the animal world.
"All the children OF the wilds
spend much time at play" Mills de-,
clared. and the time Is coming
when our national citizenship haze
doubled. mankind too will realize
IN the open. because right now we
are becoming more and more cog
infant that outdoor recreation not
only is a physical benefit but lessons
crime and brings about q complete
rejuvens ton"
Mr.. Mile urged forest and park
reservations by counties, states and
race. but to preserve many OF the
physical and economic benefit 70 our
wild creatures which are fast dis
appearing. II such preserves are
maintained and laws enforced af-
fording protection TO wild life. ami
mails nov nearly extinct Will again
reproduce. lie cited the life habits
and customs OF many individual an
tmals and pointed out how men can
learn a valuable lesson from them.
State Is Fortunate.
The speaker said that Indiana is
fortunate in possession OF much
primitive scenery and urged that a
state park be established in the
picturesque ravines OF Brown county.
In pleading for preservation OF the
dunes OF northern Indiana. Mills
said they are beyond compare. he
recalled having guided a party OF
international scientists through the
Rockies. AZ the party prepared to
depart for New York and thence TO
places In Europe and Asia. he asked.
Gentlemen Is there any other place
you will stop 20 see between the
mountains and the sea 30 Yes. the
dunes Of northern Indiana" they re-
piled.
Mr.. Mills gave statistics 20 show
that thousands OF tourists are at
tracted 90 state and national parks.
He predicted that a park IN the
dunes would draw people from ar
over the world and IN a short time
prove the best financial investrrent
Indiana ever made. He paid touttl-
ing tribute 20 the late Mrs. juliet 2.
Strauss. for her work In saving TuT-
key Run state park. and lauded
Richard Lieber. director OF conser-
walton in Indiana, ~ man With q
vision who IL earnestly striving 20
conserve some OF Indiapa6 primitive
beauty spots for the Hoosiers 20
come. HIS department deserves
the united support OF ell patriotic
Hoosiers," Mills declared.