Transcription:
Sacramento, Cal., Jan.27, 1905. Mr. John Muir, Martinez, Cal. My rear Mr. Muir; I am just in receipt of a letter from
Major H. M. Chittenden and Mr. Frank Bond, members of the Commission to investigate Conditions and Situations in the Yosemite
National Park, last summer. They inform me that there is a strong Lobby, in Washington, trying to get privileges for a steam
or electric railroad into Yosemite National Park. As you probably remember our Commission changed the boundary lines of the
boundary in its recommendation and had in mind the idea, by suggesting, that the name of the Park be changed to the Yosemite
National Park, rather than Yosemite Forest Reserve, with the idea that it would be set aside as a National Park, which it
was hoped would carry the impression that there should be no railroads of any description within the boundaries. The conditions
in the Yellowstone suggested this interpretation by our Commission. Our present boundaries of the Yosemite National Park were
so arranged that a railroad and wagon road were recommended up the Merced Canyon to within six miles of the State Grant. This
is as far as any railroad should be allowed to go, and if once the Government allows any corporation 03518