Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-11-18
100000 VISIT
NATIONAL PARKS
Increase Over 1886 Travel
Year Is More Than 5,0OO,-
900, Report Shows.

More than 100000 visitors. fur
nishing striking evidence of the in
creased popularity of the Nations
famed scenic and historical areas, set
a new high record for travel to the
national parks this year.
The tremendous increase in the
number of visitors-compared with g.
s2s,432 during the 1895 travel year
vas stressed by Arno B. Cammerer,
director of the National Park Service,
today in his annual report to the Sec
rotary OF tie Interior.
Next year, he advised Secretary
Ickes, more millions than ever before
will be attracted to the easily accessi-
BILE scenic areas as result of the
activities of the newly established
Tourist Bureau operating under the
Park Service as general clearing
house OF information. 1t now oper-
ates in Offices at As Broadway, New
York City, but soon will have complete
cooperation from agencies in all the
States and Territories.
There was a time when American
specialists went to Europe to study
advances made in park management
and conservation. The shoe now is on
the other foot, for Mr.. Cammerer re-
ported that foreign park specialists
are flocking to this country in in
creasing numbers to carry on studies
of their own.
Buildings Survey Activities.
The National Park Service probably
gained more new friends and became
more widely known through the activ-
tiles of the Historic American Build
ings Survey last year than through any
other phase of its work. This survey
went into its fourth year on June 30,
having completed approximately 140,-
900 measured drawings of 2,100 build
ings and $4,000 photographs Of $500
buildings.
More than 100000 acres were add
ed to National Park areas during the
year, increasing the total to 17,049.5O5
acres. Five new historical areas also
we're added. These we're the Ocmulgee
National Monument in Georgia, the
Zion Monument in Utah, the Joshua
Tree Monument in California, the
Organ Pipe Cactus Monument in Ari-
IONA and Perry's Victory and Interna-
tional Peace Memorial in Ohio.
Over As recreational demonstration
areas in "a States also were given over
70 the supervision Of the Park Service,
having been transferred from the Re-
ettlement Administration.
Scope of Conservation Work.
The scope of the conservation activ-
les of the National Park Service, and
IS effect upon our citizens is vast
md diversified" Mr.. Cammerer said.
"Inevita bly,, as the activities OF the
National Park Service expand through
logical increases in area, in type Of
services rendered. and in geographical
location, its influence on the lives Of
the people of the Nation becomes more
far-reaching."
The report drew attention to efforts
initiated to provide comprehensive
planning guide for States and Federal
Government in developing new park
areas. 1t is also cooperating with in
terested States in the creation of inter
state compacts and studies Of State
mark laws for the formulation of new
legislation.
In interna tional cooperation, the
report stated, the Park Service is
taking up with the Government OF
Mexico the establishment Of parks
along the frontier between the United
States and Mexico. Investigations of
the Mexican portion Of the proposed
Big Ben National Park in Texas were
made during the year and tentative
boundaries agreed on by joint COM
',ission.
Plan Bridge Over Rio Grande.
The plan is to link the two sections
the park, when established, by
ridge across the Rio Grande River at
,oouillas.
Mr.. Cammerer reported numerous
cquisitions of historic sites and build
lgs during the year. Manassas Bat
lefeld in Virginia. scene of the first
great conflict of the Civil War, is to
De designated as a national monument,
as is the Harpers Ferry site in West
Virginia.
Work progressed during the year on
two new sections Of the Blue Ridge
Parkway project, which were placed
under contract. The total mileage
now under contract on this project
in Virginia and North Carolina is 1875
miles.
With the ending Of the fiscal year,
the National Park Service completed
four years and three months Of parti-