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To explore, enjoy, and render accessible the mountain regions of the Pacific Coast; to publish authentic information concerning
them; to enlist the support and co-operation of the people and the Government in preserving the forests and other natural
features of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. SIERRA CLUB 316 MILLS BUILDING SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. BOARD OF DIRECTORS-1905-1906
Mr. JOHN MUIR, President Martinez Prof. A. G. MCADIE, Vice-President Mills Bidg., S. F. Prof. J. N. LECONTE, Treasurer .
. . Berkeley Mr. WILLIAM E. COLEY, Secretary . Mills Bidg., S. F. Prof. GRORGE DAVIDSON 2221 Washington St., S. F. Prof.
W.R. DUDLEY Standford University Mr. J. S. HUTCHINSON, Jr. Claus Spreckels Bidg., S. F. Mr. WARREN OLNEY 101 Sansome St.,
S. F. Mr. E. T. PARSONS University Club, S. F. OUTING COMMITTEE Mr. WM. E. COLBY Chairman PROF. J. N. LE. CONTE MR. E.
T. PARSONS HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS PROF. GEORGE DAVIDSON . . . San Francisco Mr. R. U. JOHNSON . The Century, New York
Pres. DAVID STARR JORDAN . Stanford University Mr. GIFFORD PINCHOT . . . Washington, D. C. COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATIONS Mr.
ELLIOTT MCALLISTER, Editor Crocker Bldg., S. F. Prof. WM. F. BAD , Book Reviews ... Berkeley Prof. WM. R. DUDLEY, Forestry
Notes . Stanford Univ. Mr. ALEX. G. EELLS . . . Crocker Bldg., S. F. Mr. J. S. HUTCHINSON, Jr. Claus Spreckels Bldg., S.
F. Mr. E. T. PARSONS . . . University Club, S. F. Prof. H. W. ROLFE . Stanford University Mr. WILLOUGHBY RODMAN Bryson
Block, Los Angeles Miss F. B. WHITTIER Mechanics' Library, S. F. San Francisco, April 16, 1906. Mr. John Muir, Adamana,
Ariz. My dear Mr. Muir: Knowing your great interest in the Bill providing for the acceptance of the Recession of Yosemite
Valley now before Congress, I am writing you the exact status of that bill in the hope that you may be able to aid us to remedy
the serious situation which has arisen. The Bill, in the form of a joint resolution, was introduced by Senator Perkins in
the Senate and by Congressman Gillett in the House. The people of Fresno and Southern California secured the adoption of an
amendment to the bill eliminating a narrow strip from the Southwestern boundary of the Park in order to permit closer access
to a railroad from this direction so that the people of that section might reach the Park as readily as by the railroad now
being constructed up the Merced Canyon. The Secretary of the Interior approved of the amendment and, since the area eliminated
is of little importance to the Park and will make the Park accessible to a greater number of people without interfering in
any way with its scenic features, there would seem to be no objectionable feature in this amendment. However, the Bill is
now held up in the Senate by Senator Kittredge of South Dakota who refuses to allow it to be reported out of the Senate Committee
on the ground that the amendment is objectionable. I have information from very reliable authority tothe effect that Senator
Kittredge is very friendly to the Merced Canyon Railroad, and his objection is due solely to the fact that the amendment would
place the Fresno railroad on an equal footing with the Merced railroad. If he refuses to report, the bill, it will probably
be killed unless his objections can be overcome. The Bill is also held up in the House by Speaker Cannon who objects to the
acceptance of the Yosemite Valley by the Federal Government on the ground that increased appropriations for roads and trails
will result. It is in line with his general policy of economy. I think, however, that his objection might be more easily overcome
than Senator Kittredge's, if it were carefully explained to him that the State of California is granting the Valley without
asking for any compensation, and that the few 03718