, 1923-06-21
CONiNIERCIALISM PERIL
TO NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

- go N'AN 49,
States was made by Dr.. John Wesley
Hill, personal representative of the
President and Secretary of Interior,
at the formal opening of YellowstolS
National Park this afternoon. The
exercises at the northern gateway
marked the beginning of the 51st
season since the establishment of the
park.
DR.. Hill particularly warned
against any commercial exploitation
of these parks.
"Commercialism is the peril OF
our national park system" he said.
"Regarless of all facts and
figures arguments, appeals and
threats any plan. however meritor-
ious on its face, for the commercial
exploitation of parks, must by the
very nature of its aims and purposes
be Immediately doomed to failure.
Good projects, bad projects, indiffer-
ent projects. all must face the same
fate. for it is at last the established
policy of the government that our
national parks must and shall for
ever be maintained in absolute, un-
impaired form. not only for the pres
ent. but for all time to come. a
/ IolA'N h4AlAh ldo nv ullI Atllltu sup
port of the great American now in
the White House, whose sole am
btion is to administer the govern
ment without lear or favor in behalf
of the peace and prosperity, happi-
ness and contentment of the entire
people of this country.
This is the fixed policy of the
administration, and l can assure you
IL ,-t1 NO. 10 r,nl,G1l -,;11 -nt
be sweryed n hairs breadth by any
influence. financial. political or
otherwise. If rights are granted on
one claimant, others must follow, so
a precedent must not be established.
1t would inevitably ruin the entire
national park system. The camel
long ago pushed its nose under the
tent at Niagara. and he has at least
his shoulders inside. II We would
escape the tragedy OF Niagara. we
must beware of its subtle beginnings.
yellowstone history is replete
with crises where the friends of the
park and the park idea have had to
fight with n heroism worthy its ex-
plorers and discoveries to retain It
intact against the bold and pre-
sumptious claims of the advocates of
special privilege. determined to COM
mercialize this land of wonder. to
build railroads through 1t. tunnel its
mountains, dam its lakes and
streams. and secure stranglehold
~monopolies with small compensation
OF the government and total loss to
the people"
DR.. Hill declared that the national
parks arose from the needs of the
people.
what greater service can n nation
render" he said. than to set aside
these vast breathing spaces for the
life. health and happiness OF n
loyal people? Here the solidarity OF
the nation is illustrated. Coming by
railroad. auto and caravan from all
sections OF the land. representing all
the walks and stations OF life over
n million OF our fellow citizens last
year gathered In happy companion
ship In the intimate enjoyment of
these wonders OF nature. learning no,
only what the park has to offer.
hut from n another the attractions
or other sections of the country.
thus forming new friendships and a
higher. broader type of citizenship.
who will rninsay that these
patriotic pilGrimages develop the
highest potentialities of national
pride, contcntment and efficiency?
They encourage fraternity. shatter
provincialism. enEendcr pride of pos
session and contain the antidotc for
national r.ailcssncss. They inspire
love Of nature. trees. flowers. brooks.
lakes. snow-clad peaks. tho Wild life
encountered everywhere amid prim-
crlal surroundings"
Dr. iiiil. who Is chancellor OF IN.
Lincoln Memorial University. appeal
cd for n return In America to the
political idealism of Lincoln. and
suggested many Lincolninn principles
which nigh, be applied 10 present
day problems.
After describing various dc.,ruo-
1.-Two influences at work In America.
he declared:
THE antido,o for all this IN n
deeper. higher. more absorbing and
commanding spirit of patriotism.
Patriotism means service. n ser
vice of tn" heart. calling loudly for
that spontaneous. enthusiastic. do
icrmined effort that you would ire
airtibly exert In the saving OF a lifo
| which you knew would ba lost with
out your mos, Earnest and heroic
efforts,
I'm sorvic" IN humanity every
| path leaps upward. This IN tho
secret Of the upiir Of democracy.
The genius OF our iibortior like tn"
Hun. shines upon iha m~ountainside
and In IN. lo~ly valley. II warns
and auirkans the oak on yonder crag
and cheers the 1 nnef flower down in
tho vale"