The Early Campaign for Mount Rainier National Park

A movement toward the appointment of a meteorological committee was made at the regular meeting of the trustees of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. President Graves was directed to confer with the president of the Merchants and Manufacturers' Exchange to appoint a committee of five. This action was taken in accordance with a suggestion of Major Bate, weather bureau inspector. The following correspondence in relation to the Pacific coast forest reserve was submitted: 'Dear Senator Squire: Will you kindly inform me how far the movement has progressed towards having the Pacific (Mount Rainier) forest reserve declared a national park? I understood that petitions had been made up in Seattle and Tacoma and signed by citizens from all parts of the state to have the reserve made a park under the same government management as the Yellowstone.' This was from Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, who also successfully urged committees of the Geological Society of America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science to petition congress. This shows that the wish to have the reserve opened up by roads and trails, with hotels and accommodations for visitors, is more than a matter of local pride and interest. Scientists are greatly pleased at the prospect of having such a field made easily accessible to them.