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The Geographic Society of Chicago JESSE L.SMITH,PRESIDENT POST OFFICE BOX 223 OSCAR D.WHALIN.CON SECY. FOUNDED 1894 CHICAGO
made, Capt. Roald T. Amundsen being the first recipient. Excursion work has an important place among the activities of the
Society and with due regard for the limitations of our near-by topography we are endeavoring to emulate the good work of the
Sierra and Appalachian Clubs. We were represented at the hearing of the Senate Committee in Washington when the Hetchy-Hetchy
Valley matter was being discussed. We prepared a bill and followed it to successful issue before our state legislature which
provides for a commission to report upon the incorporation of Starved Rock and the Canyons of the Illinois into a permanent
state reserve, and we expect to succeed in the final accomplishment of that result. During the past year, besides our regular
monthly excursions, one day in length each, we have had a two days' excursion to Starved Rock, Ill., a three days' excursion
to the region of the Dalles of the Wisconsin, and a very successful excursion, lately accomplished under my leadership, in
which we spent eighteen days in a camping tour through the Shoshone National Forest and Yellowstone national Park. I have
made the above reference to our Society to show that its membership is dominated by a class of wide-awake, nature-loving people
to whom your message has meant much and who would esteem it a great privilege to try to show by their hospitality how much
they appreciate the vision and the point of view which your life work has ministered to. If I seem to be insistent with reference
to the possibility 04561