Should a million dollars be granted to this park for road work during the next three years, the Federal Government will be doing for the park far less than the State and adjacent counties have done in the way of making the park accessible by fine graded and paved roads and will have expended only a nominal sum as compared with what may be termed "local" appropriations for the approach highways. I can not too strongly recommend that every reasonable effort be made to secure for Mount Rainier what she really deserves in appropriations for road improvement.

CITIZENS PROVE THEIR FAITH IN THE PARK.

An amazing fact about the Mount Rainier situation is that the public-service corporation, the Rainier National Park Co., organized to develop hotel, transportation, and other facilities for the accommodation of visitors in the park, has actually expended in improvements in the past 5 years more money than the Federal Government has expended in the 23 years that have elapsed since the creation of the park. Accommodations for tourists in Mount Rainier Park, made available through the effort and funds of public-spirited citizens of Washington, compare favorably with the facilities of the other parks and with those of other resort regions of the world. The company continues to add to its facilities each year, and during the current year many important additions were made to its equipment, although not so much building was accomplished as we were able to record a year ago.

TRAVEL CONTINUES TO INCREASE.

Tourist travel this year increased more than 20 per cent over last year's figures, and so far as the public utility was concerned its share of this increased patronage was cared for with a high degree of satisfaction, both to the tourists and to the National Park Service. Camp grounds maintained by the Government, however, were inadequate. It is absolutely necessary during the coming year that these camping facilities be expanded at both Paradise Valley and Longmire Springs. Community centers, such as have been built in Yellowstone Park, are badly needed in Mount Rainier because of frequent rains. At Longmire Springs a new automobile camp, with almost unlimited facilities for campers, can be built across the river from headquarters and it is here that the community center should be constructed. The initial investment in this camp ground will be heavy, but once made the camp ground can be enlarged easily with a minimum of expense.

EDUCATIONAL WORK SATISFACTORILY BEGUN.

For the first time nature guide service was conducted in the park, both at Longmire Springs and at Paradise Valley. Lectures were given by Park Service men and field trips were organized and conducted for the study of geology, trees, flowers, and animal life. This service was much appreciated by tourists and proved to be very popular.

CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL.

In June Supt. W. H. Peters resigned to become general manager of the port of Grays Harbor, and Mr. C. L. Nelson, for many years

connected with the United States Geological Survey, was detailed to the park as acting superintendent. This change in superintendents came at the opening of the season, and the new superintendent took charge under the handicap of a lack of knowledge of park conditions, combined with the obligation of vigorously pushing work incidental to opening the park. It is a tribute to his natural executive ability that the park was operated during its season of heaviest travel with general satisfaction to all interested in Mount Rainier.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONT.

This season in Glacier National Park in many respects was similar to the Mount Rainier season. It enjoyed heavier patronage than ever before, but received some adverse criticism on account of the unsatisfactory road conditions, which, however, were not in any respect the fault of the National Park Service.

SMALL MAINTENANCE FUNDS FOR ROADS BRING CRITICISM.

The park roads, particularly those on the east side, connecting Glacier Park Station and the Many Glacier Region and the Two Medicine Road were not constructed for heavy automobile traffic. In many places the roads are narrow, there are numerous sharp curves, and a large part of the road is devoid of surfacing of any kind. For several years we have been graveling sections of this highway, but there have never been sufficient funds available to give any section a heavy surfacing of gravel, and on certain long stretches it has not been possible to gravel at all. This year, largely due to lack of gravel on a dangerous section, a car skidded while the road was wet and was thrown over an embankment, causing the death of the driver. This was the only fatal accident in any national park that could in any way be attributed to road conditions. Funds should be provided for the proper construction of this important Glacier Park highway and for its surfacing.

Aside from road conditions, all operations in the park, both by business interests operating hotels, chalets, transportation lines, and other facilities, and by the Government, were conducted with a high order of efficiency and to the very great satisfaction of the traveling public.

EFFICIENT RANGER WORK.

The park organization, particularly the rangers, performed excellent service in the protection of the park's natural features and particularly in fire patrol. The season was dry and there were many electrical storms, which started fires in the heavy forests of the park. Due to prompt action of the patrolling forces, none of the fires caused much damage to park timber. Unfortunately, much adverse publicity regarding fires in the park was issued in connection with dangerous fires burning on forest lands in the neighborhood, and the news items regarding alleged park fires to a certain extent discouraged travel to the park early in August. It is regretted that publicity items of this kind are circulated when they have no basis in fact, because they always discourage a certain amount of travel and thus disappoint many people who have made plans for park

tours.

CONSTRUCTION WORK Progressing rapidly.

While the Glacier Park appropriations were considerably less than the estimates submitted a year ago, enough money was provided to continue the Transmountain Road about 7 miles up McDonald Creek from the head of Lake McDonald, to which point the highway was finished under last year's appropriations. The work is being done by contract. Provision is made in the general road budget for the completion of the Transmountain Road, and when this highway is ready for travel we can expect a tremendous increase in the number of motorists who visit Glacier National Park. At the present time it is necessary to ship automobiles from one side of the park to the other by train. This is a costly proposition and discourages motorists from visiting the park. The building of the Transmountain Road is a good investment from the standpoint of Congress because revenues from automobile permits will greatly increase when the opportunity is afforded motorists to cross the mountains by the automobile highway.

Considerable improvement work was accomplished on the North Fork Road. This work was important because of the establishment at Bowman Lake of the Skyland Camps, an enterprise undertaken this year for the purpose of providing facilities especially for boys in the section of the park that has almost every natural feature that would appeal to the youthful mind and eye. The improvement of the North Fork Road also made possible better access to ranger stations along the west line and may be regarded as a step forward in betterment of conditions for fighting fires.

The hydroelectric power plant, authorized by the current appropriation bill, will shortly be completed. This plant will provide power and light for the headquarters establishment, and in connection with its construction a gravity water supply has been established, providing much needed water for care of grounds and for use in Government buildings.

SEASON NOTES ON GAME.

As noted in preceding pages, nearly all of the parks suffered during the past winter from heavy snowfall and severe cold. Glacier Park suffered as much as any other park and there was some loss of big game. A careful survey of wild life conditions during the spring showed that the losses were not serious and that there is still an abundance of big game animals in the park. Deer, big-horn sheep, and goats are doing fine and the elk are holding their own. Predatory animals were hunted throughout the winter with a large measure of success; among other predatory animals, 31 mountain lions were killed. There was probably the usual amount of slaughter of wild animals by Blackfeet Indians on the east side of the park, but outside of the park lines, however. This unauthorized killing can not be stopped unless the east park line is moved to the road connecting Glacier Park Station with the St. Mary and the Many Glacier region.

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIF.

Our operations in Sequoia National Park have been marked with progress. The park itself has given greater service to the people despite the fact that travel decreased slightly. This year 27,514 visitors are recorded as compared with 28,263 visitors in 1921.

MIDDLE FORK ROAD CONSTRUCTION progresses. Advancement has been made on the Middle Fork Road to Giant Forest, 3 miles having been built, and preliminary work extended 1 mile farther. It is hoped that by July 1, 1923, it will be possible to tie on to the old Smith grade, 24 miles below Giant Forest, and permit travel to use that avenue of approach until the new grade to Buena Vista Point can be constructed.

IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS.

Other important improvements include remodeling of two cabins in Giant Forest for quarters; two footbridges built on Round Meadow and 5 miles of hiking trails improved; pavilion at Giant Forest roofed and inclosed; storehouse and other buildings covered with shakes; the construction of a telephone line from Redhill to Hospital Rock, 9 miles; water piped to Alder Creek ranger station; the system at Watson's spring improved; one mile of water extension installed at Giant Forest and a 5,000 gallon tank located at the corral. Because of shortage of funds it was 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 were practically uninterrupted during the season.

EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER SERVICE.

The Tulare County Library maintained a branch in the Giant Forest with a selection of books on nature subjects which were eagerly sought by visitors. A nature guide service was provided under the direction of United States Commissioner Walter Fry. Excellent nature notes prepared by Judge Fry have been welcomed by naturalists and newspapers. A wild flower show at Giant Forest attracted many visitors and an auspicious start was made in collecting natural history specimens for a museum. On August 26 and 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.

PROPOSED roosevelt-sequoia extension.

The proposed Roosevelt-Sequoia Park extension has not yet become an accomplished fact; the proposed legislation still remaining pending in Congress. The greater park, when rounded out by the inclusion of some 950 square miles of magnificent mountain and canyon scenery, will equal any national park in beauty, and provide a playground area unmatched in opportunities for healthful recreation, nature study, mountain climbing, and other forms of outdoor

recreation.

The present bill cuts off three southern townships of the present Sequoia National Park, but is a compromise agreed to by both the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. As the area to be excised contains excellent range for deer, which have been protected ever since the creation of the park in 1890, it should by all means be established as a game refuge.

PRIVATE HOLDING ACQUIRED.

During the year the so-called Wolverton Dam tract, an area of 160 acres owned by the Southern California Edison Co., was relinquished to the Government by the corporation by deed of gift.

LARGER APPROPRIATIons needed.

Notwithstanding its area, attractions, accessibility, and large travel, the park has never received adequate appropriations. The ever-increasing use of the park by campers urgently demands the installation of adequate sanitation and water systems and the extension and improvement of camp grounds. The completion of the Middle Fork Road will greatly increase travel to the park and consequently the demand for additional camping areas.

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, COLO.

Many achievements have marked this year's operation in the Mesa Verde National Park. An instance worth recording is that for the first time since its creation park officers have remained in the park at headquarters throughout the year, the superintendent and his family, with one employee, staying there throughout the winter months. As it required three days by pack and saddle horses to make the round trip for mail and perishable supplies between headquarters and Mancos, it will be seen that winter administration of this park area involves some hardships. The new superintendent's home, begun during the latter part of the travel season, was put under roof before snow fell, and was completed for habitation throughout the winter. This was designed after the style of building of the early modern Pueblo Indians, and the furniture, following the old style and method of construction introduced by the early Franciscan fathers, was built during the winter months. The entire construction of the house and furnishings was under Superintendent Nusbaum's supervision, and the work, in which he did the lion's share, resulted in something worthy of approval. In fact, the superintendent's residence and the handmade furniture, all designed to fit into the park atmosphere, proved such objects of attraction to the visitors that means had to be taken to arrange for special hours of inspection, as otherwise the superintendent would have been forced to give up living in the house.

ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP PLAN Worked out.

Furthermore, a complete and interesting plan for future development of an administrative group was worked out during the winter and later approved by the assistant landscape engineer after studies on the ground. This group includes a new checking and administration building and a new museum. The museum will be a gift to the park by Mrs. Stella M. Leviston, of San Francisco. The material. for the erection of the first section of the building is now being assembled. The administrative and checking station is now under construction and will be finished during the winter. The building will be furnished along the lines adopted in the superintendent's home. All this work being carried on under Superintendent Nusbaum's personal supervision will insure its high quality and correct execution.