The Washington herald., 1922-09-10
DODGE BROTHERS DONATE
11PARKS FOR MOTORISTS
Tracts of Forests and Lake Sites Presented to
Michigan for Campers of State.

seven lakes and three river sites
and which in a few years IL would
have been impossible to secure, are
hereby rendered TO the State of
Michigan by Dodge Brothers. Inc.
for use as public parks in memory
of John F. Dodge and Horace f.
Dodge, the founders of the business
of Dodge Brothers.
Both Mature Lovers.
Both John F, Dodge and Horace
f. Dodge were lovers of the great
outdoors. Had they lived to see the
growing need of outdoor accommO-
dations for the motorists who have
no summer homes to which they can
drive with their families for the
weekend, they would have person
ally provided for such accommoda-
tions, without doubt. Therefore the
board of directors feels that 1t can
establish no finer memorial for
these two men than to provide a
system of parks which will give
health and happiness for all time
to thousands of workmen from De-
troit and vicinity in whom John F.
Dodge and Horace f. Dodge were
so intensely interested and>to whose
welfare they always devoted so
much of their time and resources.
] know how deeply interested you
are in providing outdoor recreation
for the public and how earnestly
you and the department of conser-
walton under your direction have
assisted me in acquiring these sites.
and ] trust ii will not be improper
for me to say that ! think the State
Is fortunate in having a governor
who appreciates the vast benefits to
be secured to the public by placing
means of wholesome outdoor recrea-
tion within its reach.
Thanking you and the department
OF conservation for your courtesy
| and cooperation. I am.
Respectfully.
HOWARD b. BIOOMER,
Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Dodge Brothers.
GrOesbeck's Reply.
Governor Groesbeck answered
Mr.. Bloomer's letter as follows:
Dear Mr.. Bloomer: 1t is with
great pleasure and satisfaction that
I accept in behalf of the people of
Michigan the generous gift of
Dodge Brothers. Inc. of eleven park
sites in Oakland. Macomb. Monroe
and Livingston counties.
In my opinion Dodge Brothers
Inc, could establish no more fitting
memorial of the late John F. Dodge
and Horace f. Dodge than this sys-
tenn of public parks. which will nrc-
serve for all time to the people Of
this state these open spaces of
woodland, lake and river. The
memory of two great industrial
leaders will thus he perpetuated and
the people generally will richly en-
joy the fruits of the generosity of
your firm.
1t was my privilege. especiaIl,
during their later years. to count
John and Horace Dodge as my
friends. I knew them as employ.
ers who were always careful anf
considerate of their employees and
associates. They were never to,
busy to take an interest in tn,
| welfare OF those who had helpet
them to achieve their remarkable
success. Beginning in a small wa,
they had large share in the de
velopment of the great automo
bile industry in Michigan. Thi.
State is fast becoming the sum.
mer playground of the people O.
the Central West and the automo.
bile is the main factor in this de.
velopment. John and Horace Dodge
foresaw this condition and I ar
sure, If they could express them.
selves today, the present action of
| your board of directors would re.
ceive their hearty approval agree
with you that the recreational
needs. particularly of our urban
dwellers. are largely met by the
establishment of such parks as thi.
fine gift of Dodge Brothers, Inc.
has made possible.
Developing Parks.
The conservation commission is
now developing splendid system
of State parks. Thus far but a
very small amount has been appro-
priated from public funds for this
purpose. The park sites have prac-
tically all been donated. The
eleven now so generously rendered
by your corporation will give the
people of the eastern part of the
i State particularly, opportunities
for enjoyment and recreation not
+ heretofore available. This public
| spirited action on your part, l am
sure, will encourage others who
have the means to still further as.
sist in reclaiming for public use
the wonderful advantages with
which nature has endowed our
State.
I trust that / am not presumine
too much when l ask you to convey
to the board of directors of Dodge
Brthers. Inc. the thanks of the peo.
pie of this State for their timely
and valuable donation. Both the
commission and myself desire to ex'
press our appreciation to you per
sonally for looking after the many
details of the transfer.
Very sincerely yours.
ALEX ]. GROESBECK.
The eleven Dodge Brothers State
j parks consist of 627 acreS of nat