, 1925-11-25
WALTER PERRY OF
TETON COUNTY ON
PARK EXTENSION
Makes Urgent Plea for Wyoming
ties to balk at Proposed Annex
alton of States Resources.

What are the
of that portion of the Teton Nation
al Forest which lie in the proposed
extension of the Yellowstone Ma
tional park? What are its uses?
Is this area more valuable as a
part of the park or under its pres
emit control?
Forest Service officials estimate
that there are one billion five humid
red million board feet of merch-
antable timber on the area which
may be conservatively estimated as
worth three million dollars. If this
timber was all sold today the Coun-
tvs share would be e $775,000;
something else, the l%odgepole pine
of this area would produce 13
million ties valued conservatively
at one dollar each on the railroad;
again there is 500 million fee of
spruce paper pulp timber besides
an almost unlimited supply of as
pen which can be used for the same
then there is over 800
million feet of fir which make a
good grade of lumber. Timber IN
der Forest Service control is a per-
manent crop, only mature trees are
cut and care is taken to protect the
young growth.
Geological reports state that there
are ZIG sections of coal lands, vast
deposits of low grade copper, con-
siderable phosphate bearing areas
and a mountain of asbestos. 2100
head of cattle Craze the area. That
portion of it that lies north of the
Buffalo is the chief summer range
of the elk.
The development of American re
sources las been extremely rapid.
Less than 1875 years ago President
Jefferson vas condemned for push
ing through the Louisiana Purchase.
He was buying worthless property!
Alaska too, worthless! Today there
are many who state that the re-
sources of this valley will never be
developed beyond the present agri-
culture.
This world is very apt to stand
for a long, long time and its re-
sources must of necessity be devel-
oped to sustain human existence.
So our resources here must be de-
veloped, how Don 10 n knows.
But why add such ~undeveloped re-
sources to the National park?
Another point, the elk, if the
National park boundaries are ex-
tended southwards, there can be no
hunting over large areas where
hunting is now permitted. 1t is
often the case that the elk do not
leave that portion of the country
until after the hunting season is
closed. Nonresident hunters have
all left the valley before October
18th. They in the main, are fore
ed by conditions. to hunt in THE
area above the Buffalo. So park
extension would mean no more
nonresident hunting parties, the
resident guide practically forced out
of business, an ever increasing num-
Der of elk to starve during the
long, cold winters.
There is still another factor to be
considered in connection with out
door life. The area under question
produces hundreds of dollars worth
of furs annually and under the reg
ional trapping system, now in force
in Wyoming, will continue to pro
duce furs for many years to come
Another source of revenue cut off
The preservation of our wonder
full lakes is much to be desired
The reclamation service reports state
that the greater number of them are
undesirable as reservoir sites. Pub
lie opinion only, saved Lake Vel
lowstone from being made a reser
voir, the same public opinion, plu!
the protection afforded by the stat
and forest service will protect oul
lakes from spoilation. 1t might b.
interesting to note here that thu
great new dam at American Falls
Idaho, has ample storage for al
unappropriated flood waters from
the upper Snake river valley, 81
why should the protection of othe
lakes be necessary.
Truly, it seems to us hat Their
is but one reason for park extension
and that is the added revenue
which the park service and tn
transportation companies will enjoy
The welfare of Teton county has nc
been taken into consideration, tn
welfare of the priviledged Few. No
the vast majority is being pushed
The "Sagebrusher" as usual can g
rot. Preservation in the nature
state" for the sake of monopoly
the game that is being played.
WAITER N PERRY