, 1922-03-02

flowers and for wild Strawberries about n spring
This vast. remote, rugged, heavily-tlmbered Kali
bah National forest is still a wild place in spite of
the fact that thousands of cattle and sheep have
been grazing in 1t for years. 1t is still so Wild
that there are at least 10000 black-tall deer In II,
though they shrink In disgust from the cattle and
sheep. There are many mountain Hons that live
on the deer.
This Is the way Senator Shoots Joint resolu-
ton came to be introduced: Stephen 4. Mather.
director of the national park service. drove from
the north through the Kaibab National forest to
the North Rim Of the Grand canyon. Upon his
return to Washington he wrote the following let
ter to President Harding:
Dear Mr.. President:
Last summer / visited the wonderful country at
the North Rim Of the Grand canyon and was pro-
foundry impressed with the splendid forest and the
extraordinary display Of wild life to be found there.
This region has been so Isolated from transportation
eenters that 1t has remained almost untouched. and
Is one OF the very largest areas Of virgin forest In
the country. II is reliably estimated that there are
some thirteen thousand deer In the Kaibab National
forest.
was accompanied by Mr.. Emerson TIough. the
tract the name OF "rhe President.s Forest Sp's"u''
A few weeks later in Los Angeles I met Mr.. T..
company. the corporation which has conducted cattle
grazing operations In this forest for a number OF
and enthusiastic response to the idea Of maintaining
this region solely as a game preserve and for public
enjoyment. Since then he has very generously made
the ofer which l have the honor OF transmitting to
you in the accompanying letter. This oner means a
very real sacrifice on the part OF the Grand Canyon
Cattle company In abandoning the improvements
which they made and relinquishing ;he prospect OF a
considerable profit from their operation. Mr.. Mar
shalrs other Interests. however. are Considerable. and
he cheerfully makes this sacrifice In a truly public
spirited manner.
May I express the hope. Mr.. President. that you
may find an opportunity Of visiting the Presidents
Forest yourself and feeling the inspiration Of It's vast
ness and unspoled beauty.
The letter OF Mr.. Marshall to President Harding
Is In part as follows:
The Grand Canyon Cattle company. a California
ForpOruflop. luH beeu ODgratlug hero for "a uuuha -
years under leases from tho United States forest serv-
valuable improvements. particularly In the devotion.
ment OF water supply and the erection Of stone cat
tie camp buldlngB. Tho company owns certain pat
ented tracts Of land within the boundaries OF the ZOE.
est reservation and several tracts OF located acrlu
lands In the immediate vicinity. At the present time
we arc grazing a herd OF breeding cattle, numbering
about 400 head, under permit from tho forest service.
We desire to register our Willingness 10 vncate and
abandon the Knibab forest reservation and the pub-
lie lands Immediately adjoining to the east thereof.
recognizing that by 10 doing the purposes OF former
here could be more completely fulfilled, ana making
the entire region available for the public enjoyment.
Our only request Is that a reasonable time be given
the company to dispose OF and move It's livestock ana
other personal property, and that In recognition OF our
action such grazing permits be not hereafter Issued
to other livestock interests In the area now covered by
our permit.
Arrangements have been made through privat. I'm.
dividusis for acquiring the company's patented land
holdings. which are TO be presented TO tho United
states without cost to the government.