the bank of the White River. Owing to a section of the road being practically on a level with the river, high water cuts into the right of way, doing great damage. This road will have to be relocated on a bench some 40 to 100 feet higher than the old river bar, which is constantly threatened by the stream. The popularity of the White River section of the park demands that the road situation be given the earliest consideration.

It is hoped that funds may be available so that work may be started early next spring on the reconstruction of the White River Road, the surfacing and improving of the Carbon River Road, and the surfacing and draining of the road above Longmire Springs.

Housing problem serious

The increase in winter travel demands several additional employees throughout the winter. In order to secure and retain efficient help comfortable quarters must be provided for them. Tent quarters at Longmire Springs are not satisfactory where the average winter snowfall is 22 feet and frequent zero weather is experienced.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONT.

Glacier Park continues to grow in popularity with the motorists. This was demonstrated by the great increase in motor travel this year, when there was a decided decrease in train travel owing apparently to adverse economic conditions. Undoubtedly this motor travel will rapidly increase when the Transmountain Road across the Continental Divide is finished.

Road development

Work on the Transmountain Road was pushed as rapidly as possible and the general road system of the park was maintained at a higher standard than ever before in the history of Glacier. The Flathead County commissioners aided materially in the repair of the North Fork Road by furnishing two trucks for use thereon and also donating $300 for this work.

The highways leading to the park have been greatly improved through the cooperation of the State Highway Commission and neighboring counties, and also through the efforts of the Park-toPark Highway Association, the Y-GB-Line Association, and the Roosevelt Highway Association.

I am hoping that the Canadian National Park Service will soon complete the road through Waterton Lakes Park to connect with our North Fork and Babb Roads, thus facilitating travel between the parks of the two countries.

Land exchanges

For some years I have been greatly concerned over the location of several tracts of privately-owned land in Glacier National Park at strategic points, and it is therefore with keen satisfaction that I have to report the successful consummation of the exchange of timber only, in a portion of the park unfrequented by visitors, for one of these

private holdings which adjoin the administrative headquarters at Belton. Negotiations have also been entered into providing for the acquisition of another private tract at the Belton entrance by exchanging park timber for it. The acquisition of these two tracts of land has been one of the most important private land propositions before the National Park Service.

Forest fires

The occurrence of 16 forest fires in Glacier National Park this year, which necessitated the expenditure of about $8,000 of the general forest fire fighting fund for fighting and extinguishing them, emphasizes the need for adequate fire-fighting apparatus in all the parks. Only two of these fires were in any way traceable to carelessness on park lands, one being caused by a camp fire left burning by visitors and the other by brush fires started on the right of way of the Transmountain Road. The latter was taken up so forcibly with the road contractors that it is believed there is no further danger from this source. The other fires in the park were caused either by electrical storms or by sparks flying from brush fires on near-by private property and from a passing railroad train.

Change in administration

During the year former superintendent J. R. Eakin was transferred to the superintendency of the Grand Canyon National Park and Charles J. Kraebel was appointed superintendent of the Glacier National Park.

CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, OREG.

Crater Lake this year definitely established itself as one of the major parks. Its increase in travel, 64,312 visitors, as opposed to 52,017 in 1923, a gain of 24 per cent, is a notable demonstration of popularity. This great increase is traceable to four factors, viz. an early opening; its location almost midway in the Pacific Coast chain of parks extending from Sequoia to Mount Rainer; the improvement of approach roads; and increased publicity, largely spontaneous, given by lovers of this Cascade gem.

Two approach roads practically completed

Crater Lake travel was given great impetus by the completion of the Mile-high Highway, a fine macadam road connecting Klamath Falls with the Pacific Highway 6 miles south of Ashland. This route over the splendily forested Green Spring Mountain was a new pleasure enjoyed by thousands of autoists. This year also witnessed the widening and surfacing of the McLeod-Cascade Gorge section of the Crater Lake Highway out of Medford, so this road is now full width throughout and macadamized except for the last 6 miles. As usual, the Medford route carried a distinct majority of visitors to the park. The loop trip to the park via the Medford route and out via Klamath, or vice versa, was taken by probably a majority of out-of-State visitors.

Travel from Diamond Lake increased very appreciably, emphasizing the need for improving the park auto trail into a suitable road and the establishing of a permanent ranger station at or near the north entrance.

Due to the very poor condition of certain sections of the road south of Bend, travel through the east entrance was negligible. Another two years, however, should see the completion of The Dalles-California Highway, when the east entrance should assume a new importance. Railroad travel, now less than 2 per cent at Crater Lake, also is expected to increase in 1926, with the completion of the cut-off now under construction.

Park roads not yet improved

The fine condition of the two main approaches served to emphasize the fact that Crater Lake suffered, in common with other parks, because of the failure to provide funds for the road program. Crater Lake's road system of 57 miles (exclusive of the Diamond Lake auto trail) has never been surfaced and naturally could not withstand the battering of an average of over 200 cars daily. The park is volcanic in origin, so that for the most part the road surfaces are mere pumice gravel or light volcanic ash that ruts and dusts miserably. The abnormally early snow recession, together with a very dry season, made satisfactory maintenance impossible, particularly as reduced appropriations limited all road expenditures to $10,220, of which nearly 15 per cent must be reserved for snow removal next spring. Altogether the situation at Crater Lake-the great disproportion between road conditions and demands made upon them-emphatically illustrates the necessity for immediate improvement of roads.

Insect menace grave problem

The continued destruction of forests by insects is a serious menace to this park. A preliminary study made by entomologists from the Federal Bureau of Entomology shows that infestation has wrought havoc throughout an area of some 30 square miles of lodgepole pine. This destruction has been under way about 10 years, so that in the northeastern and northern sections of the park thousands of dead trees mar the forest vista and constitute a grave fire hazard. Worse, the infestation is spreading, fresh areas having been attacked this year. Remedial control legislation is essential, but to be effective with the park the work must also be undertaken in the surrounding forest reserves.

Bears need protection

Ten bears, including two pairs of cubs, provided an almost unceasing source of pleasure to thousands of visitors, particularly from those States where such wild life has practically disappeared. In' daily contact with mankind these animals become docile and fearless, leading to their easy destruction at the hands of hunters who encounter them outside of the park. A movement toward a bear preserve surrounding the park fortunately has received strong support. A questionnaire submitted to cattlemen and sheepmen grazing in the

surrounding areas elicited 77 responses, all but 5 of which approved the idea. It is hoped that the Oregon Legislature may take favorable action during its next session.

Camp-fire activities

A noteworthy feature of Crater Lake activities was the number of impromptu entertainments organized in the camp grounds. Singers, musicians, and other entertainers, recruited from park employees, brought campers together evenings about a central campfire to enjoy wholesome informal "stunts." Stimulated by the spirit of the thing, volunteers willingly came forward to contribute to the general pleasure. In midseason the community house became the center of evening camp life, where Americans from all over the country rubbed elbows in that friendly communion which it is the privilege of the parks to promote.

The attendance at this park, and the numberless features requiring intelligent explanation, make it essential that a nature-guide service be organized as soon as possible.

The attitude of visitors merits special comment. Evidently alive to the fact that this was the worst forest fire season in years, they were especially attentive to camp fires and zealous in reporting small fires. In consequence, Crater Lake went through a hazardous season without a single serious forest fire caused by campers' carelessness. I am happy to report, too, that despite the heavy travel no serious accident or collision marred the season.

Improvements

The national economy program restricted construction to two projects. The first, the remodeling of a log cabin at Government Camp into an office building containing an information bureau, a general office, and superintendent's office, took care of a pressing need. A modest community house of appropriate design was constructed at the Rim auto camp. A considerable amount of repair and upkeep of buildings also was accomplished, but energies were necessarily concentrated upon the pressing problems of road mainte

nance.

Except for the road situation, park facilities are nearly in step with requirements. Camp grounds, sanitary provisions, and water supply were abreast of demands except during periods of peak loads. The main trails were well maintained and the less used trails sufficiently so.

Public utilities

Work on the addition to the Lodge has been under way all summer. It is now an imposing structure, more than doubling the capacity of the original hotel. Twenty-two new rooms were finished and put into use. A new launch was safely taken down the Crater wall and placed in commission.

The Kiser studio was enlarged, a small wing being added to provide a one-day developing service in the park.

Diamond Lake extension

The enhanced popularity of the Diamond Lake area as a tourist attraction justifies repeated pleas for its preservation to the American people by incorporation into Crater Lake National Park. If, as the tendency of its development indicates, its sole value rests in its recreational aspects, there are, so far as I know, no elements in the situation which can not be reconciled in effecting this desirable transfer.

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIF.

Saving in sewer system construction

The most important event in the Big Tree Park during 1924 has been the construction of a sewer system at Giant Forest; and the system will be built well within the appropriation of $39,500. It is hoped even to report a small saving which by conscientious work of all employees and by economies has been found possible during construction under Sanitary Engineer H. B. Hommon and Mr. Lawrence Sovulewski.

Travel and general development

The travel for the 1924 season was 11,032 autos and 34,468 visitors, the park thus showing a gain of 15 per cent in visitors over 1923 at a time when everything conspired to hinder travel to national parks and other mountain resorts in California. Despite forest fires in the national forests, financial depression, the foot-and-mouth disease, and the great drought the Sequoia National Park forged ahead. The 33 per cent increase in national as distinct from local travel is a promising indication of the greater usefulness awaiting this park when the Generals Highway gives a shorter and easier means of reaching the mightiest forest in the world.

Progress was made in extension of public auto camps at Giant Forest and on the Middle Fork region now opened up by new State highway to the park boundary. This perfect State road was opened to travel in January and no more urgent need confronts the park than the early completion of the park section of 17 miles from the end of State highway to Giant Forest.

The permanent park headquarters at Alder Creek was occupied in October, 1923, and the centering of all personnel and activities there should result in material economies in the administration of both Sequoia and General Grant National Parks being effected.

The Generals Highway

Small appropriations have made it necessary to go slowly but very surely on this new avenue to Giant Forest. During the past year about 3 miles of new construction was finished except for final culverting, surfacing, and grading; and the work was so carefully done by General Foreman James B. Small that the preservation of landscape value has brought forth praise from all visitors, whether trained engineers or architects or casual observers. While