OCR Text |
Show NEW PROBLEM ' CONFROJSPEOPLE MUST PREPARE FOR THE GREAT INFLUX OF TOURISTS WHO ARE BEING ATTRACTED BV WONDERFUL SCENERY. -00 (Randall L. Jones) Shall we urge that Cedar Breaks be made a National Park? .... New conditions always bring new problems, the proper solution of which, involve the most careful study of all questions connected therewith. Too often we jump at conclusions, or hastily take one side of a question, and make statements which we very much dislike to retract, thereby getting get-ting ourselves into endless difficulty. Tho new problem, and it lis a big one, that confronts the people of Southern Utah is that of preparing for the great influx of tourists being attracted by the WONDERLANDS of this section. People are going to visit us in large numbers, and arc going to spend a lot of money while here. This is not a question for argu ment, it is proven in all tourist centers, cen-ters, and the most convincing proof is to visit a place like Yellowstone or Rocky Mountain National Park. But what is our part in the development devel-opment that is to take place? Somo would make us believe that the tourist tour-ist is going to bring ;in so much money that it will be unnecessary for U3 to have any other source of supply, and they advocate abandoning abandon-ing our flocks, herds, lands, etc., and turn the entire country over to the sightseer. This, of course, is an extreme ex-treme view. We must watch very carefully every step. There are going to be opportunities opportuni-ties come with the new developments, develop-ments, but tho greatest opportunity will be the creation of a cash market for our produce, and if wo are going to get our share of the money left here we must have something to sell besides scenery. One of the outstanding questions of the pnst few months is, "Shall Cedar Ce-dar Breaks be included in a National Park?", and many arguments have been advanced as reasons why this should bo done. It would, no doubt, be a great asset from an advertising standpoint, the area would, possibly, be better policed, grazing would be prohibited and the vegetation would return to its original wild beauty. On the other hand many disadvantages disadvan-tages would result In the prohibiting prohibit-ing of grazing, many sheep and cattle men would either be forced out of business, or would suffer great loss and inconvenience. Considerable time would be lost in the development of roads, trails, etc. Not that the Park would neglect road building, but they would have no money to spend until an appropriation be made by Con-greas, Con-greas, and this would be very definite, defi-nite, probably years would elapse bc-foro bc-foro the appropriation would be obtained. ob-tained. The Forest Service has the money, they are now building roads, and ere long will have an excellent road system connecting all points of interest. These roads are not for tourists only, but can, and will bo put to commcraial use. The Forest Officials are now working work-ing on a big program of recreational development for Southern Utah, and have in mind the carrying out of practically the same idea we would ask the Park Officials to do. Tho Park Officials also have outlined tho spending of a lot of money for roa'ds, trails, buildings, etc., in Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks. Both Park and Forest Officials have expressed a willingness to cooperate co-operate in a development program including Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks, and the Dixie, Powell and Kiabab National Forests. This will mean that our present industries would not be interfered viith. Grazing, Graz-ing, tlie cutting of timber, etc., will bo permitted, nnd will be handled in such a way as to benefit rather than destroy tho beauty of tho country. |