davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

tional parks in the course of his vaca-
ton travels. He was displeased with
the methods in which the wilderness
was being exploited. and on his return
he wrote a letter to the Federal au-
thorities registering his protest in en-
phatic terms.
4 SHORT time thereafter he received
n this reply from Uncle Sam:
Dear Steve: If you don't like the
way the national parks are being run,
why don't you come down here to
Washington and run them yourself? I
mean this sincerely. Come on"
The letter was signed by one of Steve
Mather's college chums Franklin K.
A few days later the two met in the
lobby of a Chicago hotel
You're just the man I'm looking
for" said Lane. You're going down
to Washington as my assistant"
That's news to me-" replied Mr..
Mather
1T is news to everybody" replied
Lane. 1--WE already told the newspaper
men that you are appointed. Come on,
and We'll argue about it later"
Mr.. Mather consulted his partner.
Go ahead, Steve" the latter said.
1--WE owe something to the country for
all 1t has given us. You pay it back
and I'll run the business"
Arriving at Washington, Mr. Mather
found that he was an assistant to the
Secretary, with the salary of stenogra-
pher. But he also found that he had
ample authority to reform the admins
tration of the national parks.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

ened to the beauties and possibilities Of
the national parks and the necessity OF
conserving these areas for all time.
Taken all in all, you have achieved re-
suits that / believe no other man could
have accomplished in the early days
of organization and administration
during the trying period Of the World
War and its aftermath"
Energy and enthusiasm are the doni-
mating characteristics Of this slender,
ruddy-faced, white haired patriarch Of
the parks. For years he was constantly
on the move and at home wherever he
found himself-on horseback on some
mountain trail, in Pullman car, before
congressional committee, on q log by
campfire.
Mr.. Mather came by all his eagerness
for activity quite naturally. One Of his
forbears was Cotton Mather, the IA
nous New England minister. Another
was Elder Brewster, the renowned Puri-
tan leader. One of the joys of his life
was his ability to purchase and re-
store the century -and-a -half-old Mather
homestead at Darien, Conn.
Though Of Colonial New England
stock, Mather himself is native of the
West. He was born in San Francisco.
He was graduated from the University
his way Immediately to New York to
seek job on the staff of the Sun.
Insignificant incidents often stand out
as most revealing Of a mans character.
There flashes to mind a picture of a
meeting of State and Federal authori-
ties at Fresno, Calf, to discuss means
of coping with the dread foot and
mouth disease. In their panicky anx-
iety State officials had hired hunters to
slaughter deer by the thousands. At
this meeting it was proposed to double
this activity and to extend it to the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

printed and formed an important fea-
ture Of the average newspaper.
Mr.. Mather inserted in his boraX
packages little slip offering 81 for any
published letter mentioning borax or
suggesting a new use for it.
before long his Office was mum
~ dated with clippings of letters
about borax. The prizes paid out to
housewives who had discovered new
dollars. However, the consumption Of
borax increased by leaps and bounds,
and Stephen T. Mather learned right
then the lesson that with hundreds of
friends boosting for you the game of
life is more than half won.
The borax company's mines were 10
Gated far out in the burning sands of
Death Valley, Calf. The raw borax
was hauled many miles across the
desert by teams of 20 mules hitched.
Mr.. Mather was quick to sense the
romance of this source OF his product.
He trade-marked the picture of the 20
mule team and made it not only the
symbol of his company's product, but
one of the most famous business en-
blems of the world.
His next move was to bring several OF
the 20-mule teams from Death Valley
and to send them from city to city, all
over the country, dragging the travel
worn borax wagons. In a remarkably
short time millions of Americans came
to know the famous 20-mule teams first
hand.
1T never suspected when I developed
that 20-mule team trade mark that 1t
would become a boomerang, the great
est obstacle In my business" laughed
Mr. Mather
The boomerang" came about In this
manner. Mr.. Mather, with the as
| sistance of chemists, evolved a newer
method of refining the raw borax, par
ticularly for producing the fine boracic
acid used in making glass and dishes.
He sought to persuade his company to
| adopt the new methods, but they were
rejected. The company at that time
business in the United States, control
ling the main sources Of supply.
Mr.. Mather met young engineer
named Thomas ThorkelSen, who said he
knew where he could locate new borax
deposits in California. He made good
on his promise. and Mr.. Mather formed
a partnership with him.
| Together they challenged the borax
trust, Thorkelsen producing the raw
borax in California, Mather refining
and marketing it in Chicago. Friends
told them they were foolhardy to COM
pete with the 20-mule team. but they
persisted and built a stable business.
I'VE decided to specialize in a new
field" Mr.. Mather said. I'VE produced
a highly refined boracic acid for the
chemical trade. 1t was just matter of
winning the confidence Of new group
of friends in another way"
| AS his business prospered Mr.. Mather
became involved in new series of ad-
ventures. He served as head Of his COL
lege fraternity, Sigma Chi, and travelled
over the entire country in its behalf,
meeting college men and helping them
with their problems.
One Summer he visited several ma
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

when I first met him. It was in the
Department Of the Interior In Wash
ington. was packing up my personal
belongings, preparatory to leaving Gov
eminent service. had accepted a po-
sition with law firm in San Fran
cisco.
mr. Mather took notion he wanted
me to stay there with him. All after
noon we argued. In the end I agreed
to stay with him year and help or
ganize the National Parks Service. That
was IL years ago and I'm still with
him"
Returning for a moment to the borax
business, want to tell of certain other
incidents illustrating the renowned
Mather resourcefulness in marshaling
friends to his cause.
The borax, industry was under the
fire Of It's competitors. It needed friends.
Mr.. Mather's job was to write adver-
tisements that would persuade house
wives to use more borax.
In those days many newspaper read
ers made it their business to write let
tiers to the editors. These letters were
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

They were, at the time, the orphans
of the Government. No one in parti-
cular looked after them. Troops were
loaned by the War Department to
patrol them in the Summertime. but
in the Winter they were virtually with
out protection and poachers were rapid
ly discriminating their wild life.
Mr.. Mather became absorbed In ma
tional park work, enthused over their
possibilities. He determined to pre-
serve their virgin wilderness at all costs,
yet he was eager to make them access
ible to the hordes of the great cities
1t was big job He tackled the task
of marshaling public sentiment in sup
port Of an act of Congress creating a
National Park Service, of which he
eventually became the director.
The parks were, for the most part,
In remote mountainous areas, and good
roads were needed to make them ac-
cessible to the public.
You never can get Congress to spend
money on roads into the wilderness"
Director Mather was advised
Hotels, lodges, camps and transporta-
ton lines were needed to provide &C
commodationS for thousands Of people
at reasonable rates.
Capital never will go into the Wild
erness to build hotels that are used only
three months of the year." he was told.
Men were needed to patrol the snow
bound wilds in the Winter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24
Turning Americas Wilderness Into National Parks
Wahe of aphmTM rReatLR@ lnaM Whom
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persuaded well-to-do friends to do like
wise.
In Yosemite, he found the rangers
without adequate shelter. Public funds
being exhausted, he built a fine, large
clubhouse and gave it to the rangers.
He discovered that few members OF
Congress, the public's cuStodians OK the
public domain. ever had visited the
parks. Each Summer thereafter he
and conducted trip into the wilder
ness.
After several OF these congressional
excursions it no longer was necessary
to beg for funds. Congressman became
champions of the work.
In fact, under the stimulus of the
activities of Mr.. Mather and his friends
so many people turned, to the national
parks each Summer that they were
numbered by the millions instead of
mere thousands. Last year approx
mately 100000 Americans sought the
wilderness of the parks for recreation
This enormous travel provoked a seri-
Gus problem for Director Mather, who
| became more or less of host for these
hordes Of his fellow countrymen. He
| had to provide the means to shelter
them and to transport and feed them
| sometimes a million at time
theoretically, it was the business OF
| the Government to do this, but funds
being unavailable to build great hotels
lodges and camps, Mr.. Mather under
took to persuade capitalists to provide
the millions needed for the purpose.
| Not only did he succeed in this, but
he persuaded the capitalists to allow
/ the Government to fix the rates, so that
the public would be treated fairly.
A man of intense enthusiasm natural
ly makes enemies, and In spite of his
generous contributions in time anc
money Mr.. Mather once found himself
facing a movement in Congress to Dust
him.
The plan was frustrated by his friends
and a congressional inquiry revealed
that the source of the attack was q
man who held mining claims in the
Grand Canyon of Arizona and who
wished to exploit that natural wonder
for private gain. The Supreme Court
Of the United States eventually vindi-
Gated Director Mather by declaring the
alleged mining claims void.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

u NE morning. back In the days
when Charles A. Dana's New
York Sun was the goal OF
every newspaper man, bright
youngster from San Francisco
walked into the Sun Office, hung up
his hat and told the managing editor
that he had come to work.
When the significance of this de-
velopment had dawned upon him suf-
flciently the managing editor, Chester
Lord, famous newspaper maker. said
"Are you pretty fast upon your feet?"
The newcomer explained that he had
been but recently a member Of the
track team at the University of Cali
fornia.
Fine" exclaimed Mr. Lord. You
ought to be good for uptown and
Brooklyn assignments. You can con-
slider yourself hired"
The new cub. who gave his name
to the cashier as Stephen T. Matfer,
was given beat embracing all the
outlying parts of town His burning
ambition to be star reporter was well
tested by the frigid New York Winter,
which he spent out in the streets,
gathering items for the Sun.
One day a terrific blizzard enveloped
the city, paralyzing trafic. Only a
small percentage of New Workers braved
the biting storm to reach their places
of work.
Reporter Mather was one of those
Who did arrive at the Sun office on
that terrible day, hoping for an in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

Mr.. Mather began his national parks
work during a Democratic administra-
ton. He was one Of the few high ON
Gals who were retained by the Repub-
licans when they regained power. He
served under three Presidents and five
Secretaries of the Interior.
But what his enemies could not do
he friends have succeeded in doing.
Just few weeks ago doctors told him
that in his enthusiasm for his work he
had given too freely of his energy. They
persuaded him that it was necessary for
him to resign in order to conserve his
health. after IL years on the job.
IN accepting his resignation, Roy o.
L West. Secretary of the Interior,
wrote to Mr. Mather in public letter:
Under your splendid leadership the
people of the Nation have been awak-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

You'll never get men to stay in
protect a few wild animals" the d.
rector was assured.
T TNMINDFUL of the scoffers, Mr..
~ Mather began seeking the enthusi-
asts who knew the national park areas
and who believed the wilderness should
be preserved. He began mobiliZing the
parks friends and put them to work
in their own communities. He travelled
far and wide, describing the wonders
and the recreational possibilities Of the
national parks. At his own expense he
took writer's and photographers to the
parks and then turned them loose to
shout their paeans of praise Of the
wilderness they had discovered.
He persuaded the railroads to con-
tribute large sum of money, with
which he published portfolio OF pic
lures. One hundred thousand OF these
fine books were distributed.
Government red tape" entangled
this enthusiastic and impetuous direc-
tor Of the parks on numerous occa-
sions, but he found surprising ways OF
getting things done.
There was a privately owned road,
for example, built by a mining COM
pany before the creation of the park,
cutting across the very heart OF the
Yosemite reservation. Mr.. Mather
wanted the Government to buy this
road, but the long process of getting
the necessary funds from Congress
seemed hopeless.
One day in California, just after
trip to Yosemite. Mr.. Mather met
wealthy friend from Chicago. They
had not seen each other for some time,
and the friend inquired what Mr.. Math-
er was doing in California.
why, I'm negotiating for road
across Yosemite Natioal Park, which
you and I are going to buy
why kind of road?"
"A wagon road" said Mr.. Mather.
The Tioga road, across Yosemite. 1t
is for sale cheap"
What do We want road for?"
ITO give it to the people"
How much will it cost?"
Mr.. Mather told him.
All right" said the friend, might
as well agree to pay half. You'd per-
suade me to do it anyway"
At the time the National Park serv-
ice was formed many Of the parks
were dotted with private buildings on
land acquired before the public domain
was set aside.
1t was difficult to eliminate these
private holdings. They had to be pur-
chased when the owners were in the
n1ood to SELL Action by Congress, neces-
sary before public funds could be spent,
was very slow.
\
IN Sequoia National Park Mr.. Mather
purchased large tracts with his own
funds and decided the land to the Gov.
eminent. In several other parks he
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

door assignment. The city editor sum-
moned him.
'Mather, have an idea that there's
. good human interest story out at
the cemeteries" he said. "See what
they are doing out there"
The cemeteries were all or 4
miles distant. Three miles out
miles back, all the way on foot, Re-
porter Mather trudged, fighting the
blizzard every foot, to get word pic
ture of a sorrowful family struggling
TO do last honors to a departed
bved one.
1t took the entire day to make the
trip. When he returned to the Sun
office Mather's feet were frozen. He
drew a pail Of water, removed his shoes
and socks, placed his suffering feet In
the water and sat down to write his
story. That done, he went to bed to
combat fatigue and pneumonia.
During the following Summer and
Autumn there occurred a presidential
campaign. The Sun plunged into poll
tics with vigor, covering every aspect
Of the hot contest When James G.
Blaine, one Of the candidates, visited
New York they called for Reporter
Mather, after full day on his beat,
and said:
Blaine Is going to make six speeches
IN Brooklyn tonight. Go over and cover
them"
THAT being before the day of radios,
= telephones, automobiles and other
modern accessories to politics and
newspapers, Blaine'S plan was to make
short addresses at gatherings in widely
scattered parts Of town, then dash on
TO the next stand, leaving others to
conclude the meetings. In this way he
hoped to reach as many potential
voters as possible.
"At the time the press representa-
tives had not yet established their right
10 places in the candidates personal
oa,ty," explains Mr.. Mather. When
Mr.. Blaine finished his first talk he
was rushed to his carriage and whirlec
of at top speed. I dashed after the
carriage on foot, sprinting most of the
way to the next meeting.
II was painting for breath when
got there, but managed to make my
notes and rest a little before it wa:
time to sprint to the third meeting
I kept that up for five meetings, anc
then I began to weaken. I inquired
about the next one and started early
hoping to beat Mr.. Blaine there.
IT had just got under way at goot
dog trot when a carriage came bearing
down on me at full speed. 1t stoppet
beside me. The door opened and MI
Blaine himself shouted to me askin
directions for reaching his next meet
ing place.
Il stepped up to direct him there
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

national parks, though no deer had been
found that actually had the disease.
A man in olive-green uniform arose,
his face red with anger. He could
scarcely speak at first, but when he did
say what was on his mind no one there
any longer urged the slaughter Of deer.
Saving the last of the wild animals
from extinction was one of Director
Mather's great public achievements
The national parks are now the largest
sanctuaries of wild life in the world
in fact, 1t Is said that In the Yellowstone
the animals come first and women and
children second. There is the authentic
story of the ranger at Old Faithful bear
pits who was asked by a visitor:
Whats the gun for-to save the peo-
pie from the bears II they get nasty?"
NO" said the ranger. Its to save
the bears from the people when they
get nasty"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24

hoping for ride, but as soon as I In
dicated the general direction the door
slammed and the carriage whirled of
over the cobblestones.
80 there was nothing to do but take
another hitch in my belt and sprint
after it."
When Reporter Mather turned in six
complete stories of the Blaine meetings
that night. the city editor was amazed
young reporter over to his desk
How'd you get to all those meet
ingS?" he asked
81 ran after Blaines carriage"
Good work. Mather. Good work. It
will look as though the Sun had six
men on the job in Brooklyn last night"
This incident led to an important de-
ciSion in Mr.. Mather'S life. He con-
cluded that he was more likely to be a
leg man" than one of the editors of
the Sun. and soon thereafter handed
In his resignation. He had decided to
go into business and joined the Pacific
Coast Borax Co., first in New York and
later in Chicago, where he opened its
Western Offices.
In addition to his general duties, Mr..
Mather;s particular job was that of
making friends for the borax company.
This activity started him on series of
adventures in friendship that has made
him the richest MANN friends-that
1t has been my privilege to know. There
is scarcely community in this whole
broad land in which he may not find
a close, personal friend, one willing to
DO anything in his power for Steve
Mather.
X X
ONE evening as we were trudging
along in heavy snowstorn I men,
toned this fact to Horace Albright,
who was one of Mr. Mather's closest
associates and assistants in National
Parks work
His faculty for making friends is the |
outstanding feature of Mr.. Mather's /
life," Albright said. They are as nu-
merous as these snowflakes and. as the
poet said, he binds them to him with |
hoops Of steel. They have enabled him |
to do things in public way that no one |
but Steve Mather could have done.
He puts his friends to work and he |
drives them almost without mercy, yet |
they like it and come back for more. |
He is the worlds greatest persuader. |
and his friends simply can't resist his |
enthusiasm.
Il will never forget the afternoon
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24
Sharpest Vision.

THE distance that the human eye can
i see over the surface Of the earth
has never been definitely measured.
The longest featS of unaided vision on
record approach 200 miles. Observers
l the Mediterranean coast Of France
2 said to have sighted lights on Cor
mirrors on Mount Shasta, Calf, were
recently sighted from Mount Helena. .
distance Of 1872 miles.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22
Cr0qC:s Fate TN Balance.

WHEN it comes to the question of the crow
the Biological Survey takes sort of "yes-
and-no" attitude. There are those who, think
the crow should be exterminated and others
that feel that the bird should be protected.
The survey doesn't recommend determination.
neither viii it recommend protection.
The crow, when killing insects, rodents and
crustaceans, and when feeding on carrion, wins
the approval Of the experts. 1t also serves to
spread the seed Of beneficial plants. When,
however, the crow destroys small reptiles, wild
birds, poultry, corn and other crops. and when
it annoys live stock, its absence is the thing to
be desired. When 1t spreads the seeds Of noxi-
Gus weeds, it IS no friend to the farmer
So there you have it. If the crow behaves
he is an ally and an energetic one in the farm
er's fight against insects, but when he doesn't
behave, he is a real and tricky pest.
That leaves the question up to the farmer I'm
each locality. II the crows harm outweighs his
good, then the farmer Is justified in pitting his
skill against the bird and trying to shoot IT,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22
Soil Surveys BY Plane.

THE airplane added one more to its grow
ing list Of emplOyments when agricultural
experts turned to the air to carry on . quick
and comprehensive soil survey OF an entire
county.
The survey was carried on in jennings Coun-
ty Ind, which contains 400 square miles. Tho
work was done by means Of photographs which
were taken at q height Of $4,000 feet, and which
gave all the data necessary for q base map
which showed the limits Of good soil areas and
the effects Of erosion in other areas
The success Of the test mapping has led to the
belief that future map work can be accom-
plished with much greater efficiency than II
the work were carried on at the surface.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22

baked clay slabs.
81 Marks Of injury.
90 Covers the street.
"a Raw hide.
IS Small valley.
SO BY way Of.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22

100 And not.
101 Greek mountain.
102 Kind of large
drinking vessel.
1O3 Mineral spring.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22

transferred there from the Patent ONCE. It
might be interesting to say that it was taken
to many places south of Baltimore visited by
Lafayette during his extended visit.
A WASHINGTON news item at the. time
tells us:
THE venerable tent of Washington will be
embarked from this District to form a part OF
the military equipage of Gen. Lafayette on his
expedition to Yorktown where it will be pitched
during the festival, and within its ancient walls
and impressed with its great and heroic recol-
lections. the last of the generals of the Army of
Independence will hold military levee. After
the fete the pretorium will be consigned to the
Cincinnati of Virginia to be used by them at the
Capitol of the State. In the Spring it will be
forwarded to the Hon. Charles Cotesworth
Pinckney of South Carolina the immediate sue
cussor of Washington president general of
the Cincinnati of the United States.
I'VE are informed that Mr.. GUSTS, the owner
of this venerable relic, will accompany Gen.
Lafayette to Yorktown as part of his family
suite"
George Washington Parke Gusts tells u.s.
"The marques were made on Third street,
Philadelphia, under the direction of Capt.
Moulder of the Artillery. and were first pitched