Milford chronicle., 1923-12-28

"Are you going to miss Uncle Ted's
story tonight" Ruth asked as Jack
entered the library.
Indeed I am" answered Jack. "I'm
so used to his stories it doesn't seem
possible that he isn't here"
ooh, Ruth-Jack!" called a voice
from upstairs.
Comm. Mother" they answered at
once.
Now, children" their mother said,
"Uncle Ted can not be with you this
evening for the usual story. I receiv-
ed letter from him today and he also
sent one to you but asked me to give
it to you this evening""
"You read it to us, will you mo-
ther?" asked Jack.
Eyes, dear, of course. This is what
he says:
dearest Ruth and Jack: am truly
sorry it is impossible for me to be
with you this evening and was Won
dering if you will miss my story as
much as I miss telling it. So that you
will not be too disappointed I've de-
cided to write you one.
"I am certainly seeing many inter-
esting things on my trip and it is
hard to choose what to write about.
You will remember some time ago 1
told you about the beauties of the
United States. Among those scenic
wonders I named the National Parks
In order to make it easier for visitors
to travel through those parks and see
their natural beauties, the Federal
Government has built roads, trails,
cabins and hotels. The result Of that
development has been that tourist
travel to the parks is increasing by
thousands each year.
""When the parks were first Great
ed, the states in which they were To-
Gated complained that too much tax
able land was being taken from their
control. Since the tourists have begun
coming to them the local opinion has
changed. The states are getting far
greater return from the tourists than
they ever could have received through |
taxation of the park area.
Secretary Work of the Interior
Department, told me the other day |
when 1 was in Washington, that over
S35 900 900 had been expended in these !
various parks by visitors the past
season. The money they spend in COM
munities outside of the parks is in
proportion. 1t has been estimated that
American tourists in Europe spent
over $1O,OOO,OOO this year, so you see
they are beginning to "See America
First" which not only helps this coun-
try financially but educationally.
asa bill has been drafted and sub
- i,
Senate and House for further improve
ment of the roads in the National
Parks. This will be an inducement for
more Americans to tour their own
country first.
"'YOu will remember Crater Lake
National Park as the one having the
beautiful blue lake. While there were
1nly about S35O,OOO spent by tourists
here, Oregon considers this park a
paying business.
yosemite National Park in Cali !
ornia is one of the most beautiful in
he West. A few years ago the Gov
,rnment surrendered part of it in or
Ter that a dam might be built and
zig reservoir created to supply water
md power to San Francisco. Most of ,
is natural beauties were preserved, !
however. {
MANY people go to the Sequoia
nd General Grant National Parks in ,
california to escape the extreme heat
# the summer. This community is 7
letter by about 100000 derived from !
ummer tourists. I
cit is estimated that about $4,000 7
eople outside of the State of COlOra-
o visited Rocky Mountain National
ark. Many people also went to Mesa
-erde National Park in southwestern
colorado. Some organizations in Col J
RADIO estimated that railroad and au- \
omobile travellers left over $40,0OO,OOO +
/ that State during the past season.
$50 you see how the upbuilding !
nd prosperity of the United States ]
re influenced by tourists, and how
lany communities are partially de- =
endent on National Parks for their +
isitors. The really great value OF il
ourist travel, however, does not lie e
ntirely in the money that visitors 4
pend. The information they gain re- d
arding the agricultural, commercial,
inning, and industrial opportunities
f the West is invaluable. The posi-
ilities of the West can not be over Il
stimated and officials realizing this y
re encouraging tourist travel. t
"I suppose by now it's almost time o
2r you to tour to bed. will surely Z
e with you next week. With lots OF l.
we for you both, +
'Deyotedly,
JUNGLE TED Ii