The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-27
BY Richard Lieber.

Director the Indiana Department OF
Conservation.
Indiana is cashing in on its
scenery
1t is rapidly becoming one OF the
foremost vacation places and recre-
ational centers OF this Nation and
has great future as a tourist
mecca, chiefly because of its diversi-
fled scenery and historic spots, and
the fact these places are accessible
through a system Of excellent high
ways.
Some States today are proffting
to the extent Of better than $780,
100000 a year from the tourist traf-
. fic-Indiana, conservatively esi-
mate, collects approximately $780,
000, 0o0.
Unfortunately, in the past Hoo
siers spent great deal Of their
play periods visiting other common
wealths, with the result that We are
not thoroughly acquainted with what
our own State possesses in scenery
historical monuments, landmarks
Our slogan should be ''See Indiana
First and Know Your Own State"
We have made a beginning in es-
tablishing State parks. but the true
significance of this enterprise will
not be fully understood in our time,
much as the movement itself has
found enthusiastic support from all
of the people. The time will come,
however, when the creation OF State
parks will be considered matter
of course, and wonder will be ex-
pressed that we did not have the
foresight to have set aside still more
of the available scenery for such
purposes.
Indiana contains approximately
twenty-three million acres OF land
and water. State reservations under
control of this department are the
State forest Of 1000 acres in Clarke
County. Dunes Park of 1000 acres
in Porter County. Lake James Park
Of 700 acres in Steuben County, Tur-
kew Run Park Of $50 acres in Parke
County. McCormicks Creek Park or
35G acres in Owen County, Clifty
Falls Park of $40 acres in JEFFERSON
County Muscatatuck Park or S5
acres in Jennings County and $500
acres in a game reserve in Brown
County. 1t is pittance, ana the
State should control not less tnan
half a million acres of forest lands,
in addition to direct ownership of
number of the northern Indiana
lakes.
Whenever these items are men
TONED and whenever the absolute
mood for at least this much has peen
clearly shown, the matter Is dis-
posed of because it would cost mil
lions of dollars. OF course, 1t would.
nrogram of this size may cost
twenty or twenty-five million uoi-
lars. Some day it will be carried
ont and most likely then ten times
the price will be paid. whenever l
hear the argument that this or that
plan can not be successfully eXecu''
Oh because the personnel OF the Leg
)islature is not attuned to sucn He'
ures INV only answer is: Get Leg
;slat,,re that is able to think in mod
ern figures-that is able to eompre-
bend the needs Of the hour ana aoie
TO look beyond the sheer necessity
Of the day.
The conservation commission mas
demonstrated that State parks can
be made profitable investments ana
two OF our major reservations are
having approximately 10 per cent
per annum. When the Dunes ParK
ia developed to the point Of accom-
modating the thousands that VIM
visit it,, we confidently expect inns
profit figure greatly to advance.
Indiana can be made dehgntioi
- 4Iaza Nation and WQeM