Evening star., 1923-12-23
WAY is SEEN TO OBTAIN
NEW i. S. PARK in EAST
Weeks Law, Enacted in 1911, Provides
for Purchase of National Forests
by Federal Government.

and sanitary conveniences are in
stalled. Because the declared policy
of the greatest good to the greatest
number" applies to recreation use. as
, to other phases of national forest
business, there is no monopoly of the
most attractive features on the part
of few concessionnaires or tenants.
Every spot OF scenic beauty, every de-
sirable camp site. every outstanding
attraction is preserved in all it's origi-
nal allurement for the pleasure Of all.
Visitors may camp where they like
and stay as long as they like. Ex-
cept in one national game preserve
within the Pisgah national forest,
where no hunting is allowed and fish
ing is under special regulation, they
may hunt and fish subject only to
state laws. Dead wood for fuel is
plentiful and free. All that is asked
Is that the recreationalist exercise
due care with fire and observe the
ordinary rules OF sanitation.
And what Is the response? In in
creasing thousands the people of our
eastern and southern cities, towns and
valleys are annually answering the
call of the Appalachian hills. Camp
ers. mixers, fishermen, hunters, bota-
nists, geologists, students of nature,
artists, berry pickers and just the
regular American family seeking
rest. fresh air, scenic beauty, health
and the happiness that is found only
In the great outdoors. are finding in
the Appalachian National Forest just
the Fairgrounds that they wished
for.
Has Half Million Acres.
At Washington's door, within a few
hours drive, the Shenandoah forest
of half million acres, is destined to
rival in public interest the historic
valley which it borders. Farther
south, the Natural Bridge forest en-
braces the Blue Ridge where the
James river cuts through on its way
to the sea. In West Virginia the
Monongahela sends out its call west
10 Cincinnati, north to Pittsburgh.
In western North Carolina's land of
the sky the Pisgah national forest is
already well and favorably known
while the NantahaIa and Cherokee
await but the magic touch of high
way improvement to serve Georgia
and her neighbor states as a sum-
mer mecca.
What, then, must be done to bring
these Appalachian national forests to
their highest state of usefulness as
national Fairgrounds? 1t takes a
really immense land area to supply
the vacation land for SO,000,0 900 peo-
pie and the Appalachians are within
ready reach of all our people east of
the Mississippi The prime requisite
Is unified positive public support of
the national forest purchase program
SO that these forests may steadily
grow to at least three times their
present size. Road and trail devel-
opment should be pushed aggressive
ly. with the states and federal gov
ernment doing each their proper
share. Funds for the development of
sanitation and camp site conveniences
must be forthcoming in much larger
sums than are now available in for
est service appropriations. Here is
an exceptional opportunity for civic
bodies of the east and south to take
up development projects which will
yield big returns in community
Of the cash which the visitor leaves
along his route of travel And, A.
nally, the Appalachian national for
ests should be made known to the
country at large. There is no Sec
ton of America more richly en-
dowed with scenic beauty, healthful
climate or natural attraction. Ad-
vertise these forests as California |
and Colorado advertise those within |
their borders and the Appalachians |
will soon take their proper place in |
the Americans list Of American at
fractions.
After all, are we very far from at |
tainment. of our eastern national |
playground objective, and are the
necessary remaining steps SO diff |
cult? The answer seems to be mo" |
if every party at interest will get |
behind and push.