Transcription:
Portland, Oregon, Sept. 16, 1907. Honorable James R. Garfield, Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir:--
I am informed that a private corporation is seeking permission from the Government to appropriate and divert the flow of certain
streams in Yosemite National Park, in California, together with appropriation of a large tract of land (specifically, the
Hetch Hetchy Valley, a part of said National Park), for use as a storage reservoir; ostensibly for the purpose of furnishing
water to San Francisco and adjacent cities. Since my interest in this proposition, as a resident of Oregon, may be deemed
somewhat remote, I beg to set forth briefly my reasons for protesting against the granting of the privilege asked for, until
after the most careful scrutiny and intelligent examination of all interests which would be affected thereby. If a precedent
shall be established, permitting encroachment upon our National Parks, whether for reasons of alleged public welfare, or at
the solicitation of a small contiguous community, I venture the opinion that it will not be long until covetous eyes will
be cast upon the water power of every National Park in the country; especially such prolific sources of supply as Crater Lake
and Rainier National 04232