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<br />.-OJ <br /> <br />(jGDJ~': <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Is this negative approach in the trs.dition of Gifford Pinchot? This great <br /> <br />conservationist during his life 'Was not concerned 'With cliques or pressure groups. <br />He 'Was dedicated to the ideal of a strong America, 'Which could forge ahead in <br />agriculture, in industry, in business, while at the same time preserving the <br />Spil~tual or scenic requisites that are 1l1tegral and necessary for the enrichment <br /> <br />of our lives. <br /> <br />The majority of Americans believe in the ideal of a park system providing <br />opportunities for the many and not for just a few if an analysis of the National <br />Park System visitation is an index. <br />In 1946, the Park Service recorded 21,752,000 visitors. In 1953, the nmnber <br /> <br />of visitors more than doubled. This increase of 112 percent is to my way of <br /> <br />thinking a sure sign that the average American and not the rich and fortunate alone <br /> <br />enjoy our parks. <br /> <br />Recreational opportunities on the reservoirs and adjacent lands of the Echo <br /> <br />Park project will include picnicing, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, riding, <br /> <br />camping, and sightseeing. These opportunities are not now available to the average <br /> <br />tourist. <br /> <br />Only a handful of visitors each year actually penetrate the canyon section of <br /> <br />the monument where most of the ne'W recreational facilities will be developed. <br /> <br />Conrad L. Wirth, Director of the National Park Service, tells me 22,334 persons <br /> <br /> <br />visited Dinosaur National Monument last year. only 3,000 of them went into the <br /> <br />Echo Park section and 500 of these went down the Green River by boat. <br /> <br />I <br />Compare that figure--J,OOO--to the 2,220,000 that visited Lake Mead. To the I <br />, <br /> <br />969,000 who visited Yosemite. To the 500,000 who visited Sequoia. To the 225,000 <br /> <br />who visited ~ount Lassen. <br /> <br />7 <br />