Transcription:
September 5, 1907. Hon. James H. Garfield, Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: It has just come
to my knowledge that an effort is being made by a clique of San Francisco to get permission of the National Government to
dame and use as reservoir for city water supply the Hetch Hetchy Valley, a part of the Yosemite national Park. As a citizen
of California and the United States, and a property owner in both Berkeley and Oakland (which are also proposed to be served
by the projected work) I emphatically protest against allowing any encroachment in the Yosemite National Park for the following
reasons: First: There ore other ample and practicable sources for supplying: Sierra water to the cities of the San Francisco
Bay region without this unwarranted encroachment. This is admitted by the individuals advocating it who have discussed it
with me. Second: The movement is trying to forestall opposition by its almost surreptitious work, as the general public is
so far in ignorance of this attempt. No newspapers have published it. Only hints at Sierra water have been given in articles
so far appearing in San Francisco papers. Third: This superbly spacious Valley Park, with its beauties only second to Yosemite
Valley itself, if it is filled as the proposed dam would fill it, would be totally destroyed for public resort and enjoyment.
Its walls of almost perpendicular granite would prevent even roads about the margin. During the summer of 1907 more than
200 people encamped on the floor of the Hetch Hetchey Valley at times when the Yosemite itself was overcrowded with visitors;
and with, increasing facilities for reaching it thousands will resort to it and to the Tuolumne Meadows relieving the ever
increasing congestion of the Yosemite Valley itself. Fourth: If this encroachment were permitted it would be followed by
further attempts on the Tuolumne Meadows, and eventually on other parts of the Park. 03937