The Holly chieftain., 1924-01-03

the principal winter home of the waterfowl that
travel with the seasons between the Gulf and
northern Canada X and are marshy lakes con-
nected by waterways is Vermilion Bay of the
Gulf No. Is the Rockefeller Foundation Wild
Life Refuge of 5000 acres. No. 2, called Pecan
Island. contains 100000 acres. No. is the private
holding of the vermilion Bay company, $1,000
acres. No. is the Louisiana State Wild Life
Refuge 11,OOO acres. No. 5 Is Marsh Island Wild
Life Refuge of 793OO acres purchased by Mrs.
russell Sage and dedicated to the permanent pro-
tectlon Of bird life No. 6 marks the location Of
the home and bird refuge of Edward A. McIlhen-
ny, nationally famous for his efforts in behalf Of
bird protection,
Yes; times have changed and we have changed
with them The national parks movement, one
of the livest nonpolitical issues of the day typ
cal and suggests the extent of the change. Up to
1912 our national parks, then twelve in number.
were neglected by the federal government and were
considered nuisance rather than asset. Mem.
bers of congress turned deaf ear to any plead
ing of their and hastily moved away from the
pleader. In the General Federation of Women's
Clubs this story is told with elee In 1912
Mrs. John ID. Sherman elected chairman Of
the department of conservation of natural re-
sources. then largely devoted to sentimental
and lady-like effort in behalf of the song birds
and trees. When she suggested the creation of
division of Natural Scenery" there was laugh
and the national officers said. But scenery isn't
u natural resource" However. she had her way
and today organization In the country is
keen-or more niuential--n the nation n-wide
movement toward national parks, state parks,
nfcIpal Fairgrounds, chiidren's gardens. nature
study in public schools, the outdoor life and the
preservation of all kinds of wild animal life and
game fish, ,.
In 1913 the late Franklin X. Lane became Sec
renry of the Interior in the first Wilson cabinet
He was the first secretary with the vision to see
in national parks-whch contain the finest
scenery earth-an economic asset of the first
rank. For the first time there sympathy and
encouragement in the Interior department for the
nature lovers. They were regarded as co-workers
not cranks
From then things moved rapidly. New M.
tonal parks of the first class-like Rocky Noun.
tain, Grand Canyon and Mount McKinley-were
created. The national park service estab-
lished. The National Parks association OF nature
lovers wns organized. Aflliation among the many
nature-loving and nnture-protecing organizations
was brought about. Adverse legislation in congress
was defeated and beneficial legislation passed
And the army is drawn up to repe further at.
tacks by commercial interests upon the natural
beauty spots Of the country.
The slogan. "See America First" was born and
of American dollars formerly spent abroad each
year by American sightseers stay at home
More than 100000 tourists last year visited the
national parls-nbout so per cent of them IN their
cars. These visitors came from every state
in the Union. Every wide-awakc and sclf-respect
ing city and town In the scenic West has nn auto
camp Maine estimates Its tourist business ut $40
100000 year. States like Michigan Wisconsin