west, and sections 30 and 31 of township 6 north, range 75 west, east of the North Fork of the Grand River, which embraces the town site of Lulu, patented July 25, 1892, the group of pending land entries and two groups of mineral claims, such area amounting to approximately 1,845 acres.

For administrative reasons it is desirable that the lands above described be not included within the metes and bounds of the park. I accordingly recommend the elimination thereof. The description of the lands proposed to be set aside for park purposes, as given in the bill, is unnecessarily long and somewhat confusing, and I have accordingly prepared an amended description more clearly defining the area proposed to be included in the park, and have not included therein the lands in townships 5 and 6, above mentioned, which I recommend be eliminated from the proposed park.

I have therefore to suggest that all that follows after the words "to wit," in line 5, page 1, of the bill be struck out; that all of pages 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, to and including the word "Colorado" in line 10, on page 9, be eliminated from the bill and in lieu thereof there be substituted the description embodied in the paper hereto attached, marked, "Proposed Rocky Mountain Park, Colo." At the end of this description there has been added the following, to wit: "Provided, That the United States Reclamation Service may enter upon and utilize for flowage or other purposes any area within said park which may be necessary for the development and maintenance of a Government reclamation project." This proviso is necessary and desirable in order to protect the proposed Grand River reclamation project for which the lands in township 3 north, range 75 west, were withdrawn June 8, 1904, under the act of June 17, 1902. (32 Stat., 388.)

The area of the proposed park as described in the amendment herein suggested is approximately 229,062 acres, of which 2,340 acres are patented lands, 1,220 acres are covered by State land, school and approved selections, and 185 acres are pending

entries.

Sections 2 and 4 of the bill embrace provisions which have been employed in other ats creating national parks, and I see no objections thereto. Section 3 provides generally for the surrender of private holdings in the park and the granting in lieu thereof, on a basis of equal value, lands from the public domain or with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture lands within the national forests, etc.

There is but one park under the supervision of the Secretary of the Interior in which Congress has authorized the granting of lands outside of the park for patented lands within the park; that is in the Wind Cave National Park, created by the act of January 9, 1903. (32 Stat., 765 )

The Secretary of Agriculture is materially interested in the legislation proposed in this section, and I have to suggest that the bill be referred to him for an expression of his views in the premises.

Other than above stated, I have no objections to interpose to the bill. There is herewith transmitted copy of reports from the Commissioner of the General Land Office, to whom the bill was referred, together with a copy of the map showing the boundary of the proposed park, together with the patented lands and pending entries, etc., embraced therein.

Cordially, yours,

FRANKLIN K. LANE.

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT,
Washington, July 22, 1914.

Hon. HENRY L. MYERS,

Chairman Committee on Public Lands, United States Senate.

DEAR SIR: I wish to acknowledge receipt of a copy of the bill (S. 6007) to establish the Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes, with the request that your committee be given a report thereon.

The bill proposes that a certain designated area now within the boundaries of the national forests under the jurisdiction of this department be set aside for national park purposes, the area to be thereafter administered by the Secretary of the Interior.

It is reported by the local forest officers that the tract embraces an area of considerable scenic beauty and is annually visited by a number of tourists, who are attracted to this region for recreation purposes. At the present time some of the land within the proposed boundaries is in private ownership and is occupied by ranchers, stockmen and others engaged in industrial pursuits. I assume, however, that the number of alienations and the general status of this land will be reported upon to you by the Secretary of the Interior.

In section 3 it is proposed that no lands within the park boundaries now held in private, municipal, or State ownership shall be affected or subject to the provisions of

the bill; but the State, person, or individual, or entity holding such private claims or title may surrender same to the United States, and upon the approval of the Secretary of the Interior be granted in lieu thereof, upon the basis of equal value, land situated elsewhere upon the public domain. Provision is also made that upon the approval of the Secretary of this department, such persons may receive in exchange lands included within a national forest, or, upon proper conditions, dead, decadent, or mature timber from the national forests. Upon informal inquiry made at the Department of the Interior, it is learned that the areas of private lands, State lands, approved school selections, together with 270 acres of pending entries, will total approximately 4,370 acres. This figure does not, however, include any mineral locations which are valid claims. The owners or claimants of any of these lands may therefore, under the provisions of the bill, obtain public lands, or, with the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, obtain national-forest lands or national-forest timber.

This department would have no objection to the exchange of lands needed to consolidate the park if the lands to be acquired were necessary in the park plan. It is believed, however, that contention might arise as to the intended effect of the words "private claims or" in line 16, page 10. At the present time, while no homestead or other agricultural land entries may be made within the proposed park area, mining claims may be initiated there as freely as though the area were public domain. Should these words be retained, it might be contended that the Secretary of the Interior was directed under its provisions to grant title to an equal area of other lands upon the surrender of the claims located within the park boundaries. It is suggested, therefore, that the words "private claims or" be stricken from the bill.

This department has heretofore urged the passage of a bill to establish a bureau of national parks, under which the various national parks and national monuments could be administered under uniform rules and regulations, since at the present time, under the plan of establishing national parks by special acts of Congress, each one is governed by laws different from the others, and therefore there is no uniformity in the administration of the areas. As this bill is drafted it conforms to most of the usual provisions found in laws establishing other national parks and the area is to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. If, therefore, the words mentioned above are stricken out of line 16, page 10, this department has no objection to the passage of the bill but would suggest that the Secretary of the Interior be asked for a report. Very truly, yours,

JULY 22, 1914.

D. F. HOUSTON, Secretary.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
GENERAL LAND OFFICE,
Washington, August 28, 1914.

The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith, in accordance with departmental instructions of August 20, a map prepared by this office of the proposed Rocky Mountain National Park, Colo., as described in S. 6309, upon which all patented and State lands and pending entries of record there have been indicated in color, and the portion thereof within the boundaries of the Arapahoe and Colorado National Forests. The area of the proposed park as described in the former bill, S. 6007, was approximately 242,800 acres, while that within its exterior limits, as defined by the present bill, is approximately 230,907 acres, all but 11,200 acres of which area is surveyed. The acreage thereof within appropriations of record in this office is as follows: Patented land, 2,559 acres; State land, school, and approved selections, 1,220 acres; and pending entries, 340 acres; making a total of 4,119 acres. Certain of the lands therein are subject to approved rights of way for ditches, etc., under act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stat., 1095), and of railroads, under act of March 3, 1875 (18 Stat., 482). The proposed park is not within the primary limits of a railroad grant.

With the exception of 3,082 acres in township 5 north, range 73 west, townships 3 and 4 north, ranges 75 west, townships 4 and 5 north, range 76 west, the proposed park is within the Arapahoe and Colorado National Forests, as indicated upon the accompanying map. The lands in township 3 north, range 75 west, are also covered by withdrawal of June 8, 1904, under the act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat., 388), for the proposed Grand River project, and 843 acres of the area within said national forests are embraced in withdrawals for ranger-station purposes.

I sumit herewith an amended description of the proposed park, which completely and definitely describes the boundary of the areas proposed to be included within

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the park, and I respectfully recommend that this description be substituted for the one embodied in Senate bill 6309.

The copy of S. 6309 inclosed is herein returned.
Very respectfully,

CLAY TALLMAN, Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
GENERAL LAND OFFICE,
Washington, September 2, 1914.

The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

SIR: I have the honor to advise that, in accordance with suggestion of Senator Thomas, of Colorado, the boundary of the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colo., reported on by this office under date of August 28, 1914, has been changed, as shown on the map and revised description sent herewith.

This change eliminates all of sections 6, 7, and 18 of township 5 north, range 75 west, and sections 30 and 31 of township 6 north, range 75 west, east of the North Fork of the Grand River, which embraces the town site of Lulu, a group of pending entries, and two groups of mineral claims, said eliminated area amounting to approximately 1,845 acres, making the park now contain approximately 229,062 acres, all but 11,200 acres of which area is surveyed. Of the total acreage in the park, 2,340 acres are patented land, 1,200 acres are covered by State land, school, and approved selections, and 185 acres embraced in pending entries.

Very respectfully,

CLAY TALLMAN, Commissioner.

Since the preparation of the above official reports, and in fact since the committee authorized a favorable report upon this bill, the Secretary of the Interior has just submitted a brief additional report mentioning some of the beneficial features and the importance of establishing this park and giving the measure his personal and active approval, as follows:

THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR,

Washington, January 9, 1915.

My DEAR MR. FERRIS: In accordance with your request, I beg to advise that I favor the creation of the Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of Colorado. It will give to the country a new national playground having unsurpassed mountain scenery and a most salubrious climate, and which will be in proximity to the great centers of population in the eastern portion of the United States. I am confident that the affairs of this park could be administered at a moderate cost.

Cordially, yours,

Hon. SCOTT FERRIS,

FRANKLIN K. LANE.

Chairman Committee on Public Roads, House of Representatives.

Practically the entire population of the State of Colorado is asking Congress to make the scenic territory referred to in this bill a national park. The last session of the Colorado Legislature memorialized Congress upon this subject, as follows:

SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL No. 4-ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.
[By Senator Cross.]

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled: Your memorialists, the General Assembly of the State of Colorado, would respectfully represent that under and by direction of the Secretary of the Interior, the Hon. R. B. Marshall, chief geographer of the department, recently visited Colorado to determine by personal observation whether there should be established in Colorado a national park.

That the said Marshall, following the said order, visited Colorado, and after a careful and painstaking examination of the country proposed to be included in said national park, recommended the creation of the same.

That the people of Colorado desire that said park shall be established. It includes the highest mountain peaks in the State; the area is little adapted to either agriculture or grazing; its scenery for sublimity and grandeur is not excelled on the continent. Its location is easy of access to America's millions who seek health and recreation in the summer months, being situated in the front and main range of the Rocky Mountains.

We, therefore, urge that you pass an act creating the said Rocky Mountain National Park, adopting the metes and bounds as set forth in the report of said Chief Geographer Marshall to the Secretary of the Interior, and embodying provisions as contained in a bill for an act creating the said park prepared and introduced in the National House of Representatives for that purpose.

And this your memorialists will ever pray.

Approved February 25, 1913.

The Denver Chamber of Commerce, the Denver Real Estate Exchange, the Colorado Mountain Club, the Boulder Commercial Club, the Greeley Commercial Club, the Business Men's Organizations of Larimer County, and many officials and other public-spirited citizens have been laboring and appealing to Congress for the enactment of this measure for several years.

The Colorado Democratic State platform (1914) contained the following plank:

We heartily favor the creation of the Rocky Mountain National Park and commend our Senators and Representatives in Congress for their labor in its behalf.

And all other parties urgently advocated the establishment of the park. In fact, the project of creating a national park in Colorado has been advocated for a number of years by a great many of the most prominent and public-spirited citizens of this country. The territory adjacent to what is known as Estes Park, and including Longs Peak and many other peaks, has been visited by tens of thousands of people every summer for many years past. And practically everyone who has visited that country has ever thereafter been an earnest advocate of the setting aside of that marvelously scenic region as a national park for the benefit of all the people of the United States.

In fact, Estes Park and its adjacent peaks and territory, included in this bill, is known almost as well throughout Europe as it is in the United States as being one of the most marvelously beautiful regions of the earth. The Earl of Dunraven, an English peer who enjoys an enviable reputation both as an author and sportsman, has eloquently described this park in two of his books, and many other volumes and articles contain reference to it or brief descriptions of this territory.

The General Federation of Women's Clubs of the United States has for several years been advocating the creation of this park, and recently. that association authorized and instructed Mrs. John Dickinson-Sherman, chairman of their conservation department, to appear before your committee in behalf of this bill. Mrs. Sherman has personally visited this territory and has for several years been thoroughly familiar with this park, so that she speaks from personal knowledge in her eloquent appeal in behalf of the measure, as follows:

Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I come before you as the chairman of the conservation department of the General Federation of Women's Clubs to indorse the Rocky Mountain Park bill.

The general federation is a body of over 1,000,000 women with conservation committees in every State in the Union. The department gives its attention to forestry, soils, water, minerals, birds, and good roads. But the special feature of the work of the department at the present time is the conservation of natural scenery. We are doing this because we know of the growing need and the growing demand for public

recreation places out of doors, and we believe that if localities of natural scenic beauty are preserved and used for public recreation places they will benefit the lives of millions of people, physically, mentally, and morally. We realize that these places of natural scenic beauty can not possibly increase and that no time should be lost in saving what is left of them.

In nearly every State there are natural scenic areas which should be saved for recreation places and we are working for more State parks. But this splendid territory in Colorado is visited by people from all over the country. The land is now owned by the United States Government, and it seems especially fitting that this area should be made a national park.

I have first-hand knowledge concerning this territory and know of its attractions. I know what it means to stand on the top of Longs Peak, the "King of the Rockies," and of the lasting inspiration that comes from this experience. I know something of the many mountain peaks in this territory that are over 12,000 feet high, something of the hundreds of wild flowers, birds, and of the wild-animal life. Many of the natural attractive features of this area are perishable. The trees, flowers, and wild life need the care and protection that a park management would give.

The area has little commercial value; but it is suited to the needs of people for a place of recreation, and if put to such use this area will serve its highest purpose.

The accessibility of the park is one of the strongest arguments in its favor. It is within easy reach of the people of the great Mississippi Valley and much nearer to the people of the East than any other scenic national park.

Omitting the names of the many organizations of men who have indorsed the bill, it has been unanimously indorsed in Colorado by the Denver Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Denver Woman's Club, the Estes Park Woman's Club, the Colorado Mountain Club (an organization of men and women), and the Colorado State Federation of Women's Clubs, with a membership of over 10,000, and represents the clubs in every part of the State.

People are now coming to this region from every section of the United States. It is estimated that more than 50,000 people visited it last summer, and most of these were from outside the State. It is because of this Nation-wide interest and the especial fitness of the area for park purposes that the conservation department of the General Federation is giving this bill its earnest support.

At the earnest solicitation of the people of Colorado and her Representatives in Congress, the Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Fisher, in 1912, sent Hon. R. B. Marshall, chief geographer of the Interior Department, to make an investigation of this territory and report on it. Mr. Marshall made a very elaborate and exhaustive investigation of the region in the month of September, 1912, and his report thereon is inserted herewith. He makes a very strong and favorable recommendation of the creation of this park. Mr. Marshall also appeared before your committee, and his statement at that time is contained in the printed hearings.

Hon. Mark Daniels, general superintendent and landscape engineer of national parks, of the Interior Department, also appeared before your committee in behalf of this bill and made a very exhaustive statement as to the general national-park service and the probable cost of the supervision and maintenance of this park. Mr. Daniels's statement to the committee, which is printed in the hearings, also contains some references to other reports which are of interest in this connection and will be referred to hereinafter.

STATEMENT OF GOV. AMMONS, OF COLORADO.

Gov. Elias M. Ammons, of Colorado, appeared before your committee and stated in substance as follows: That when this nationalpark project was first started the boundaries, as at that time contemplated, included a large part of four counties, and that consequently there was at that time considerable opposition from the citizens of those counties. But since that time the boundaries of the proposed