MEDICAL SERVICE.

Dr. Morton W. Fraser has been actively engaged in giving proper medical attention in the park. The urgent need of a hospital and operating room is shown by the two major and eight minor operations performed; four cases which might have been cared for at Giant Forest were sent to the valley with resultant danger to the patients on the long journey.

GRAZING.

One thousand and twenty-one cattle were grazed by 12 permittees without damage to park lands or hindrance of tourist travel. Readjustments of grazing areas were made.

FOREST FIRES.

Three minor and two serious fires occurred. The Moro Rock fire, August 13-22, burned over two square miles of brush and timber and cost about $1,500 to extinguish.

NATURE AND OTHER NOTES.

The forests have been well cared for; individual sequoias have been protected by signs and posts. Additional signs have been placed on trails and many visitors have complimented us on having a well signed park. Bulletin boards were placed at central points to convey information to the public.

All wild animals except the gray squirrel seem to be increasing; these graceful rodents have been dying of an epidemic disease which has also been reported in other parts of California. Deer and bear are abun dant around public camps. The rare mountain beaver is active at Giant Forest. Bird life is as varied and attractive as ever.

Fishing has been especially good and streams have shown the effect of the stocking of the past few years. To the end of the season the limit of 25 trout was easily taken by anglers within an hour or two of Giant Forest.

The nature guide service begun this season by Judge Fry has laid a good foundation for next season's work. Bulletins prepared have been welcomed by naturalists and newspapers. The wild flower show at Giant Forest was studied by many visitors. An auspicious start was made on a museum; some specimens were secured and funds collected. The regulations on picking wild flowers have resulted in marked increase of flora in meadows and forest adjacent to public camps. Arrangements to pasture all concessioner and park service stock at Willow Meadow, several miles from Giant Forest, have resulted in further improvement of meadows and trails near headquarters.

On August 26-27, the Mountain, Forest, and Desert Players presented "Ersa of the Red Trees," under the General Sherman Tree. All who saw this pageant of the sequoias were impressed by its beauty and by the manner in which it created respect for the natural beauties of the park.

ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION.

Shortage of funds has made it impossible to maintain and repair roads, trails, buildings, telephone lines. etc., as should be done; but communications were established on schedule time in the spring and have been practically uninterrupted.

A garbage-disposal system was instituted; 2 flush and 4 pit toilets were installed: and the public camp ground was thoroughly policed. Doctors Gillian of the State board of health and De Vicq, of the Los Angeles County Board of Health, visited the park and complimented us on the sanitation maintained on small appropriations, but both confirmed the need for large additional sums for the installation of modern systems. Two cabins at Giant Forest were remodeled for quarters. Large quantities of material were got out for the Alder Creek administrative headquarters construction. Two footbridges were built on Round Meadow and 5 miles of hiking trails were improved. A telephone line from Redhill to Hospital Rock, 9 miles, was built. Water was piped to Alder Creek ranger cabin. The system at Watsons Spring was improved. One mile of water extension was installed at Giant Forest. A 5,000-gallon tank was erected at the corral. The pavilion at Giant Forest was roofed and inclosed. The storehouse and other buildings at Giant Forest were covered with shakes. An extension of 40 camp sites in Giant Forest is an urgent need and will be made before the end of the season if funds permit. Constant repair work was necessary on our four old trucks and occupied a disproportionate amount of labor and money. Our repair and construction costs compare most favorably with those of State and county work.

Two hundred thousand trout fry were planted in creeks and lakes near Giant Forest.

Park exhibits were shown at three fairs in Tulare and Fresno Counties, the cost being defrayed by public subscriptions.

MIDDLE FORK ROAD.

Splendid progress has been made on the Middle Fork Road to Giant Forest. Three and one-half miles have been built and preliminary work is a mile further ahead. It seems likely that by July 1, 1923, it will be possible to tie onto the old Smith grade, 24 miles below Giant Forest, and use that avenue of approach until the new grade to Buena Vista Point can be built.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Despite serious shortage of funds the park has progressed during the past year and is becoming of greater service to the people. The only recommendation which the imposed limits of this report permits is that the estimates for 1924 appropriations be granted in full. They have been carefully prepared and embrace only those items which were considered vitally necessary if the park is to be preserved in its natural state and developments made to keep pace with present and prospective increase of travel.

STATISTICAL SUMMARY.

All statistics for the year have been compressed in the following tables:

The General Grant National Park, created by act of Congress October 1, 1890, is only 4 square miles in area. A fine 6 per cent grade county and State highway reaches the entrance, only 64 miles from Fresno, a city of 70,000 population and the center of one of the most rapidly growing sections in the United States. In 1909 but 854 people entered the park. In 1921, 30,312 visitors registered, and this year the number was 50,456 people. During the same period appropriations have risen only from $2,000 to $6,500. There has never been enough money to plan intelligent development nor even to protect the Big Trees and maintain existing improvements.

When the fixed cost for administration, protection and maintenance is apportioned the chief ranger has not a cent left to meet the increasing demands made by the huge volume of travel. To the limit of law and regulations I have lent assistance from Sequoia funds but the intolerable situation can not be allowed to continue. If the Federal Government is not prepared to maintain and develop this beautiful little park it should be returned to State or county jurisdiction. More money is being spent annually on s score of State and municipal parks in vastly inferior mountain resorts in California than is being spent in General Grant National Park.

We have been subjected to severe criticism from the Fresno County health officer because of the unsanitary conditions in the park. During the Fourth of July rush I visited Grant Park and could not prevent a feeling of disgust at seeing a national park treated like a congested school or municipal playground. Tents were jammed one against the other, automobiles were rioting over grass and other vegetation, and people were spread everywhere as thick as flies on molasses. This is, of course, due to the fact that funds have never been provided to open up camp grounds throughout the park so that campers could be spread out instead of jammed together near headquarters where at least some measure of water and sanitation is found. The resulting destruction of vegetation, trampling of meadows and flowers and injury to trees may be imagined.

The glorious grove of Big Trees suffers in like measure. The ranger force has been insufficient to handle the crowds at headquarters and direct visitors to camps and it has been rarely possible to spare a man to patrol through the trees. Everything possible has been done by warning signs, and last year auto travel around the General Grant and other Sequoias was stopped by posts and logs; but it must be confessed that the Sequoias are tarnished. The bark of General Grant, originally over 2 feet thick on buttresses and exposed roots, has been in places entirely worn off. Many Sequoias have been given a porcupine appearance because of darts shot into their soft red bark.

It is not yet too late to restore the park and grove to much of its pristine beauty but it will take every cent of the $63,118 estimated for the fiscal year 1921 to make a beginning and the appropriations of future years must correspond in reasonable measure with the needs of the park.

Mount Rainier National Park was created by act of Congress approved March 2, 1899, and exclusive jurisdiction of the territory so set aside was ceded to the United States by act of legislation of the State of Washington approved March 16, 1901. Exclusive jurisdiction of the reservation was accepted by act of Congress approved June 30, 1916.

The park is roughly a square, about 18 miles on a side, and contains 324 square miles. It is located in the western part of the State of Washington, immediately west of the summit of the Cascade Mountains and about 40 miles southeasterly from the southern end of Puget Sound.

Longmire Springs, distant 64 miles by automobile road from the main entrance, is the headquarters within the park of the superintendent and the Rainier National Park Co. Longmire Springs is connected by telephone with Seattle, Tacoma, and the principal camps and ranger stations within the park.

ADMINISTRATION.

Mount Rainier National Park is in charge of a superintendent, who is assisted throughout the year by a chief clerk and four permanent rangers. During the summer season of this year the local force was increased by 14 temporary rangers, 2 clerk-stenographers, 2 telephone operators, and a construction and repair force.

JURISDICTION OVER OFFENSES.

Punishment for offenses committed within the park is administered under the Federal law by a United States commissioner, Hon. Edward S. Hall, whose home is located at the Nisqually entrance.

FREE PUBLIC CAMP GROUNDS.

For the accommodation of visitors who desire to camp out there are provided several free public camp grounds. The principal camp grounds are located at Longmire Springs and Paradise Valley. These grounds are supplied with comfort stations, and water is piped to convenient points within the camp area. Far more people availed themselves of the privilege of using the free camp grounds this year than ever before, and it is my opinion that this use will increase from year to year as facilities for the tourists' convenience are added.

During this last season electric lights have been installed in the Longmire camp grounds. Camp tables, metal camp stoves, and concrete grills have been placed in both Longmire and Paradise camps. This equipment has been in constant use by visitors and is greatly appreciated by them. It is hoped next year to have a supply of this equipment adequate for the needs of all the campers.

HOTEL AND TRANSPORTATION OPERATION.

All hotel and transportation services are conducted by the Rainier National Park Co., a corporation controlled and directed by men prominent in the business life of Seattle and Tacoma.

The company, from a small beginning in 1918, has steadily and logically expanded to meet the growing tourist travel and has invested now approximately $550,000 in hotel and transportation equipment that will accommodate 1,400 people. The company operates four hotels, or hotel camps, guide service, automobile and saddle-horse transportation service, three stores, its own hydro electric power plant, and miscellaneous other services ne esasry to the successful operation of its franchise.

Hotels.-A four hours' drive from Tacoma, at sea level, brings one to Paradise Inn, the principal hotel, at an elevation of 5,500 feet on the slope of the mountain, within easy walking distance of perpetual snow, where skiing and other winter sports can be indulged in throughout the year.

Very reasonable weekly rates have been made at Longmire, and I feel that as the advantages offered here become more generally known, these hotel accommodations will be taxed to capacity.

It is really a privilege that our visitors may avail themselves of service of this high quality, in spite of the business handicap of a short season and distant supply centers.

Summit climbs.-Experienced Swiss guides conduct climbing parties on the overnight trip to the summit of Mount Rainier. A rock shelter cabin has been erected by the Government at Camp Muir, at the 10,000foot level, and climbers now find satisfactory sleeping and cooking accommodations there. During the past season 368 people were registered in the guide parties for the summit, and about 50 others made the climb independently.

Other trips.-Less strenuous guide trips may also be taken from Paradise. At Longmire conducted saddle trips may be taken to Indian Henry's Hunting Ground, and there are many fine walks through magnificent forests.

CASES TRIED Before the COMMISSIONER.

During the year three convictions have been obtained for infraction of park rules, and fines imposed Two convictions were for speeding and one was for drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Last winter's snow was exceptionally light, so that the road to Paradise was opened on June 29, which is a record for early opening of this park. The summer months have been very dry. Late summer rains have cleared the atmosphere, added to the comfort of travel, and removed the danger of forest fires.

SPECIAL EVENTS

For the first time in its history the park was this year opened in a formal way at Longmire the evening of June 15. Gov. Louis F. Hart, of the State of Washington, and Maj. Gen. Charles H. Muir, in command of troops at Camp Lewis, were the principal guests of the occasion.

Other events were the ski tournament in Paradise Valley July 2, 3, and 4, with entrants from all over this country and Canada, and the admiral's ball, when the officers of the Pacific Fleet were entertained at Paradise Inn.

No large conventions were held in the park this year. Many of the parties have consisted of from 30 to 50 people in charge of the various tourist agencies. The largest party to enter this year was that of the American Institute of Banking, which numbered 648 people. The Kiwanis Clubs of the Northwest brought in a party of 200 people, and other organizations sent smaller parties.

MOUNT RAINIER.

The dominating natural feature and principal point of interest in the park is Mount Rainier, so situated as to be within sight of the cities of Tacoma and Seattle and the entire Puget Sound region. Mount Rainier is probably the most magnificent volcanic peak in the United States, outside of Alaska. Its altitude, 14,408 feet, places it third in height among mountain peaks in the United States. Mount Whitney, in California, is 93 feet higher, and Mount Elbert in Colorado is 12 feet higher.

RECESSION OF NISQUALLY GLACIER.

From 1892 to 1922 there has been a total recession of 1,588 feet in the Nisqually Glacier, an average of 52.9 feet per year. Its recession in 1921 was 106 feet, and this last year, 67 feet. It seems apparent that the equilibrium between flow and melting will be encountered at some point of lower temperature higher on the slope of the mountain.

FLOWERS.

Mount Rainier National Park is famed throughout the country for its wonderful flower fields and forests. Hundreds of varieties of wild flowers bloom in all portions of the park.

FORESTS.

The forests of Mount Rainier cluster around the base of the mountain below 5,500 feet elevation and are graded from dense stands in the deep valleys to the sparse growth of the Alpine varieties that form beautiful natural groups in the high mountain meadows, and distorted windswept lines along the edges of the glacial valleys.

WILD LIFE IN THE PARK.

According to the United States Biological Survey, there are over 50 species of mammals in the park. Deer and brown and black bear are occasionally seen. The most interesting animal here is, however, the mountain goat, which has been seen this summer in herds up to 20. The goats seem to be equipped to stand the rigors of a winter on the mountain. The bears hibernate. The deer, however, are putting up a losing fight, as the winter snow forces them to the lower levels outside of the park boundaries, where they are not protected.

Sixty-seven thousand trout have been planted in park waters during the season by the Washington State and Lewis and Pierce Counties game commissions.

Four of our district rangers have been made State game wardens, to help in protecting the wild life of the park.

NATURE GUIDE SERVICE.

Our nature guide work, which has been in the way of an experiment this year, has proved very popular. It should be continued, and if possible elaborated on. Our nature guide at Paradise answered questions regarding the flora, fauna, and geology of the locality, and took interested visitors on short field trips to study these features. Each evening he gave a short talk illustrated with colored slides outlining the chief natural features of the mountain. These lectures were always attended by capacity crowds.

At Longmire Springs scheduled field trips were taken for the purpose of studying the natural features of the region. In the auto camp at Longmire a novel sylvan theater was constructed by arranging the glacial boulders at hand, and camp-fire talks were given of evenings on the flora, fauna, geology, and history of the park. These talks were illustrated by slides donated by Asahel Curtis, on a projector borrowed from the Park Co. This, or like equipment, should be purchased for use next year. These talks were well attended, before the end of the season the outdoor theater proving far too small for the crowds.

TRAVEL FOR THE 1922 SEASON.

Travel to the park for the 1922 season totaled 17,149 cars and 70,376 people, which was an increase of 25 per cent over the previous high record in 1920, when 12,186 cars and 56,491 people entered the park. This large increase is very gratifying in view of several unfavorable conditions. Extremely smoky atmosphere from an unusually large number of forest fires, the railroad strike, and the marked deterioration of our principal park road undoubtedly kept many away.

It is of great interest to note that 84 per cent or 59,380 visitors came in their own private cars. Every State in the Union was represented, as well as 12 foreign countries and 4 United States territorial possessions. The travel over Labor Day is usually very heavy, but this year all records were broken in spite of the bad weather immediately prece ling this period and on Labor Day itself when a heavy storm cut the travel down to 472. The following tabulation shows the travel in detail:

September 2.

September 3.

September 4..

359 cars 1,041 cars 101 cars

1,579 people. 4,231 people. 472 people.

September 3 was the largest travel day in the history of the park.