Transcription:
J. P. Lukens, President. William Stanton, Vice Prest. E. E. illegible Cashier. illegible CAPITAL PAID UP IN GOLD COIN 100.000??
illegible Jan. 4th. 1897 John Muir, Martinez, Cal. My Dear Mr. Muir:- Your letter is at hand. You ask if you can depend
upon me being- present at the annual meeting of the Sierra Club, and talk in favor of the recession of the Yosemite grant
to the federal Government. I doubt if I can be present at the annual meeting, and if I should be. you know I cannot speak
in public . But I believe this is the time to make the effort, as a good many of our Legislators are awake to the necessity
of reducing taxation. If the Yosemite is continued in the possession of the State, it will be necessary to have a large appropriation
for rebuilding the Stoneman, as well as the usual large amount for the use of the Board . If the entire Yosemite National
Parle is owned by the federal Government, it will undoubtedly be managed as well as the Yellowstone National Park has been
. Hotel Companies will be formed, and special privileges granted by the Government for that purpose . All roads leading into
the Yosemite will be made free without a doubt . The advantage to Californians will be many fold. With the reduction of taxes,
and the Park thrown open, a very much larger proportion of the people will be able to visit it at much less expense than at
present. 02208