Evening star., 1938-01-21
PARK CONFERENCE
WILL HEAR |CKES
PurSues Conservation Ideal
at Planning Session
ToniQht.

Secretary Ickes' address tonight BE-
fore the Conference on Nations. Parks,
sponsored by the American Planning
and Civic Association. at the willard
Hotel, will be one of the closing fea-
lures Of the two-day session. The
cabinet officers subject ID "Conserva-
tion-a Pledge"
Today's sessions are being devoted
to consideration of wilderness areas.
Wild lie IN national parks and forests,
the future of the National Park Serv-
ice and, at S o'clock this evening, the
annual business meeting of the asso-
ciation. Omcials of the Biological
Survey and Forest Service Of the De-
partment Of Agriculture and of the
National Park Service of the Interior
Department are participating in the
discussions.
Declaring that "the perpetuation
and preservation, unimpaired, of will
derness values Of national parks con-
tinue as its most potent ideals and
functional objectives," Jesse l.. Nus
baum, superintendent Of Mesa Verde
National Park in Colorado, told the
conference today that he cannot over
emphasize the "desirability of not
opening up more park areas to mo-
torized travel"
He spoke at the morning session
today over which A. T. Demaray, as
sociate director of the National Park
Service, presided, the session being
given over to the subject of Wilder
ness Areas" Thomas c. Vint, chief
architect Of the Branch of Plans and
Design Of the National Park Service,
addressed the conference on "Deyel-
opment Of National Parks for Con-
servation," and emphasized that ade-
quate measures must be taken for
preserving the scenic integrity Of these
areas.
Horace M. Albright, president Of the
association and former director of
tho National Park Service, last night
made a spirited plea that the Forest
Service and National Park Service
and their friends get together and map
out an amicable progress program.
Mr.. Albright launched his exposition
after Ovid Butler. executive secretary
OF the American Forestry Association,
had advocated that "unmodified mas
terpieces" of nature only be included
In national parks.
! NJ. L. Wilson. Undersecretary of
Agriculture. at last nights session.
presided over by DR.. Hermon C..
Bumpus. chairman Of the Advisory
Board OF National Parks. Historic Sites.
Buildings and Monuments, advocated
that teachers be provided to read
the book Of nature" to the public and
that mature observation stations" be
set up. even beyond the parks and
forests. to acquaint people with the
wonders along the roadsides and trails.
The conference yesterday after
noon listened to = plea for the in
teliSent use Of Alaska, through ade-
Quate planning: heard oficials of the
National Park Service tell Of the CO.
operation with State and Federal An.
thorities In aiding TN setting up .
comprehensive park system for the
States and considered the problems
OF . park operator in posing the
question Of Just how far convenienoes
Tor the public sh0uld 90 In q national
PARK
Highway = Alaska Urred,
With F. A. Silcox. chief Of the For
est Service. presiding at the luncheon
gathering in the Cabinet Room, An
thony J. Dimond. the Delegate from
Alaska In Congress, told the assembly
that II Finland can support q popula-
tton Of 100000, As it is doing, Alaska
can do at least that He summarized
Alaskas greatest present needs as q
highway from the United States, 1900
miles Of which must be built to SUD-
plement that already constructed:
aviation development, including more
landing fields and services to make
the Territory a unit; 4 thorouxh
scientific survey to ascertain lust
what the United States has in Alaska
and good gravel highways within the
Territory itself.
He estimated that the cost Of the
highway he proposes would be $l2.-
100000, including bridges, but he
said that the United States would be
well repaid by this outlay, for It
would bring . suitable mining and
farming population to supplement the
present inhabitants.
Mr. Dimond paid tribute to B. Frank
Heintzleman, regional forester Of
Alaska and chairman of the Alaska
Planning Board, who was not able to
be present at the noAetinv