Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-03-03

Smoot says 1t is a wonderland" 1t Is indeed-a
land of scenic beauties, Of geological maryels, of
strange contrasts, of romantic history
The High plateau Of Utah divided by canyons
into nine distinct plateaus which drop the surface
In successive cliffs from nearly the summit-level
of the Wasatch mountains to the desert out of
which rises the Kaibab plateau, These cliffs ex-
pose In turn strata representing many millions
of years of world-building. They curve and twist
In fantastic outlines They take every possible
erosonal form They literally run the gamut of
color and shade and tint
There is no space here for detailed description
of the Pink cliff. the White cliff and the vermil-
ion cliff of the great Hurricane fault the Natural
bridges and the Rainbow bridge; of the Painted
desert; of Lees ferry across the Colorado where
John ID. Lee hid out for 20 years after the Noun
tain Meadows massacre; of Utah's "Dixie', land
of cotton and seml-tropical fruits of the varle-
gated hills of sediment from prehistoric sea along
the Pariah river where are gold and free mercury.
Zion National nark--a deep, many-colored gorge
cut in the plateau by the Rio Virgins famous.
Cedar breaks. Il marvel of erosionai forms and
stratfed color, Is yet to Ne seen by the public.
Bryce canyon, thousand-foot niche In the top of
the Pink cliff, an amphitheaer-like canyon show
ing an endless variety of eroSlOna forms painted
in every color, shade and tint Of the artists pal
cite, Is of the most gorgeous specacleS of the
world.
Southern Utah and northern Arizona are working
together to exploit this land of wonders. branch
railroad is likely to be run from Lund to Cedar
City; the steel may be extended from Marysvale
to Panguitch. Cedar breaks, Bryce canyon Zion
and "The Presidents Forest are TO be connected
by automobile highways over the routes indicated
by the broken lines, according TO present plans.
bridge across the Colorado at Lees ferry Is
planned. Two of the ColoradoUtah highways to
be constructed by Colorado under the federal aid
plan will strike southern Utah, thus connecting
this region with Mesa Verde and Rocky Mountain
National parks
There lisa bill In congress to make Bryce canyon
the Utah National park. 1t is more likely to be
made state park. Cedar breaks may be added
to Zion National park.
So there will soon be thousands Of tourists
pushing from the north to the North Rm-there
we're 1900 last season. And now that the Kalbab
Suspension bridge has been built across the Col
orad0 In the Grand canyon a large proportion Of
South Rim vlsitors-of whom there were 1921
last year-w cross to the North Rim. On the
North Rim there Is scant for the public with
In the national park lines. Hence the need of
"The Presidents Forest"
an these circumstances asks Mr.. Average
Man, "why not make The Presidents Forest
part of the Grand Canyon National park?"
Because It can't be DONE" answers the expert
enced national park enthusiast, "at least not now.
The people will be lucky to muster enough votes
In congress to get the joint resolution through.
The Agricultural department and the forest serv-
ice as usual would fight to the last ditch to pre-
vent the transfer of national forest land to a ma
tlonal park and the Interior department and the
national park service, HUH Didn't Theodore
Roosevelt make the Grand canyon n national mon
ument January II, 1908, with the idea that 1t
would be made national park at once in response
to the nationwide demand2 But the monument
was put in charge of the Agricultural department
instead of being transferred to the Interior de-
partment. And didn't 1t take the people just
eleven years, one month and fifteen days from
January IL. 1908, to get their Grand Canyon Ma
tional park2 Verb sap.!"
One enthusiast writes Of 1.-THE Presidents For
est" as "the grnndest natural work of Almighty
God row left In all the world Suffice 1t to say
that as forest 1t is worthy companion to the
Grand Canyon--the Canyon Of Canyons!