Roads: 1924 Hearing before Interior Secretary. DEPARTMENT OF THE NTERIOR ACAD NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CARRIAGE RD ACADTA NA ONAL PARK FILE No. PAPERS Relating to Road Hearing before Secretary orie March 126 1924 Note: This is the title-page ofa 141-page Notebook held in Computersive for Chapmen and Peters Archies were not included the Santelle Research Center at A.N.P.It is not Note: See also Ronald H. Epp chronological file for 1924 containing additional primary documentation for the Dorr biography. 12/20/2008 ACADIA NATIONAL PARKER ACADIA NATIONAL PARK LIBR. ADDRESS ONLY Beep THE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVIDE WASHINGTON D a DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON July 20, 1922. Dear Mr. Dorr: Referring to your letters of June 14th and 16th on the tentative Lafayette Park road and road-trull plan, which I personally inspected on the ground early in June (the Director himself for a few days accompanying you and me on our Inspection), I have just concluded a thorough review of the project with First Assistant Secretary Finney of the Department in whose particular bailiwick the national parks fall, covering thoroughly the scope of my report to the Director of June 10th and also other points of possible importance in connection with the development of the project, and we have both approved it as per Exhibit B attached. This Exhibit is an exact copy of the similar Exhibit B in this office having Secretary Finney's and my signature. We are convinced that the project is well thought out, and will enable the enjoyment of the wonderful natural beauties within the Lafayette Park by all visitors without merring the beauties of the landscape in any way, or intruding upon areas that should be preserved for quietude and repose: in fact, special attention has been given that areas such as the amphitheater section, Sargent Mountain Ponci, and numerous other beautiful valleys and secluded spots be lcept away from too close proximityto these roads and trails. The road to the top of Cadillac Mountain is important, though it is equally important in my opinion that no road go to the top of any other mountain in the Park. The plan is approved, and whenever you have sufficient donations to go ahead with the work you may do so, boaring in mind to keep the roads and road-trails as Inconspicuous as possible. I should mention for your information that we have had cordial letters from Senators Hale and Fernald and Congressian Nelson, assuring their great interest in this project, and giving their unqualified endorsement to 1t. Cordially yours, Mr. George B. Dorr, Supt., Lafayette National Park, Acting Director. Bar Harbor, Maine. Inc. 1107. Woodlawn therean. A-60. Mark H. Cambridgo, Nass. got My dear Sir: 1 February 1924 I have just read on the outside page of the National Parks Bulletin published 21, 1924, a Lottor which you lately addressed to Benator Fletcher of Florida concerning the Government's policy about the creation of National Parks. attention was at once directed especially to what you say about the Lafayette National Park; because I have been 0 sunner resident at Mount Desert for forty-three years past, and have served from the berinning as President of the lancock County Trustees of Pub- lic Reservations, a corporation which gave to the Covernment the entire acreage now held in the Lafayette National Par! and has procur. ed several thousand scrae more which it proposes to Five to the Government. You state correctly the real park value of the Lafay- ette National Park, except that you onit one of that Park's rarest features, nanely, the combination of very striking water views of buy and ocoun with the landscape. This combination of buy and ocean views with hill and valley prospects is unique on the Atlantic coast of the United States. Your statement that any park area "rust be susceptible of effectivo development to mako it accessible to the people and of convenient administration and control" is perfect. On that prin- ciple a developing work has been going on at the Lofayotte National Park for two years past on a plan accepted by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. !evertheless, D few weeks ago you issued an order to ctop all work on the Lafayette National Note: See Sertes I, file "1924 for additional documentation the charges brought to the Interior Secretary by Senator Repper, 2 Park this winter. This you did when you were assaulted by Senator Pepper in his usual confident manner. Senator Pepper has been a summer resident at Mount Decert for many years, and holds very strong opinions about the undorirablonoss of making the National Park accessible to the people. No objects to the construction of roads in the Lafayetto National Park, whether they be intended for horse vehicles or for automobiles. He does not wish to have the natural scenery marred by the scars made by building roads along a hillsido or across a valley, oven if he knows that all marks of the road can be "planted out" within a for years. It annoys hin when he in following a footpath to bo obliged on a sudden to cross a road sixteen feet vide, and the better road it is the more he objects to being obliged to walk across it. Senator Pepper has proached these doctrines to the resi- dents of Mount Desert for many seasons; but he has made very few con- verts. In general, the summer residents at Mount Decert who own cottages situated on the shores or on the lower hills agree with you that the Lafayette National Park ought to be made conveniently ac- cessible to the people, particularly of the State of Maine. Your rescinding of your order to stop work on the Park gave great satis- faction to hundreds of residents on the Island of Mount Docort. Your prompt action was, I suppose, due to your conviction that the Son- ators and Reprosentatives from Maine know better what was needed and desired by the people of Hount Decert than Senator Pepper did. I bog leave to support warmly your judgment in this matter. Mr. George B. Dorr, the Superintendent of the Lafayette National Park, I have known from his boyhood up, and his father and mother before him. He is thoroughly informed about the woods, plant life and animal life on the Island of Mount Denert, and is a nan of extraordinary public spirit. D inherited from his father and mother a considerable fortune, which has now all come into pub- lic and poni-public undertskin r towards improvement of Mount Denert Island for the best kind of public enjoyment; 30 that lie is now liv- ing on the modert salary he receives from the Government. 'ron the point of view of a public official he has one defect against which precautions can eacily be takon. He is liable to talk too long about any business which interests him. Agrinct this defect you can onaily take procautions, if you have occasion to consult him. If you have need of a week's respite from work - which seens to me highly probable - you would secure effective isolation and experience a very welcome change of air and scone, if you would spend a week at Mount Desert, seeing for yourself under the guidance of Mr. Dorr the extraordirary beautico of the Island and its fitness as the site of a National Park. You can take such a respite at any season of the your, winter or cummer, spring or autumn, provided you take with you a suitable variety of clothing. Sincerely yours [C.W.Eliot] lion. Hubert Work Work H. OF SECURITY SECURITY THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON However February 4, 1924. Dr. Charles I. Eliot, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dear Dr. Eliot: I thank you for your letter of February 1, dis- cussing the National Park question. Because of the divergent opinions among those inter- ested, I was inclined to delay road building in the Laf- is ayette Park until I could have a better understanding, myself of the situation existing there. If I can get those interested together for a con- ference, I am sure they will not be so far apart in their conclusions as appears from ex parte statements of each. I am promising myself a visit to this far eastern park, probably during the hot weather, but in the mean- time I hope to advise myself on the merits of the express- ions I have been permitted to hear on this subject. I am, Very respectfully, Huberhwork Charles WV Eliot to George B. Dorr Esq. Cambridge, Mass., 7 February 1924. Ny dear Dorr: Yours of the 5th is at hand. I have received notice of the meeting of the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations at Bar Harbor, and will sign the necessary deed whenever received. The tract will be a very valuable acquisition for the Lafayette National Park. There is certainly a remarkable outpouring of talk and tears over Wilson's death; but I doubt if it means that the American people is now going to do what he wanted them to do in 1920. That is, I doubt if the American people as a whole has recover- ed from the moral collapse it experienced in 1919. Moral reforms, like educational reforms, are very slow. Lodge has certainly not improved his own position before the country by what he lately said in the Senate. I wrote a rather full letter to Secretary Work, the main objects of which were to warn him against Pepper and to thank him for his prompt recall of his 7 February 1924) 2. order to stop work at the Lafayette National Park this winter. What is to be apprehended is that the present movement in favor of economics in the National Service will extend to the parks, where economies mean reductions or postpolement of the public enjoyment of the Parks. There are only two regions of public expenditure in which economy is even a less legitimate motive than in the Parks, namely, the postoffice and the public schools. In those two departments economy is positively silly; because it is well known that expenditure there means increased productivity and higher profits in the important industries, and hence in national well-being. Sincerely yours, Charles W. Eliot. George B. Dorr, Esq. ADDRESS ONLY THE DIRECTOR. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON, D. c. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 24th WASHINGTON 7'L February 12, 1924. Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., 26 Broadway, New York City. Dear Mr. Rockefeller: I found it necessary to come on to Washington before I got this letter off which I enclose. CBD (n I received word from the National Park Service that a Ser Ripper fresh attack was being made upon our work and plans by Senator Pepper, using the influence of his official po- sition with the Secretary of the Interior, Dr. Work, to whom the whole matter of course is new. And my presence here was needed. I was happily able to forestall success- fully his first attack and think all coming well, but I have had an anxious time. I shall be able now to get away from here within a few days, when I shall come to New York and shall see you. A hearing on the subject has been ap- pointed by Dr. Work for the 26th of March, for which I am JSBY preparing. I have the Park Service and the National Parks Association strongly wit th me, President Eliot, the Trustees of Public Reservations, and the whole State of Maine. I have no question as to the result, but it will not de to take & anything for granted or leave anything undone that may help to present the matter rightly. Yours sincerely, George B. Was ms. 15.Kinball, 3 Parker House, [March 1924] Boston, ^ Dear Mr. Kimball: I am much obligoo for your letter. not of the neighborhood. Lafayetta Park The is real the question, property of the Nation, velopment the giving of employment to the logal people therefore, but the 1s not visitors of the Park for the bonefit of as many ultizens best and do- as oun usa it. much Desert interested as anybody in the welfore of the Tan as You know me well enough to be Bare that be bound Island. But as a Senator of the United States people I should of Mt. work to oppose a plan for giving them employment 12 the were not for the beet intereuts of the Park. paths centere for ridors; and, three, by a very Iss roads to three way only: one, by troils for podestricing two, by bridle In my opinion the Park should be developed in for automobiles. and to typical view points, much policies to be stratogic available work of roads not intended for use by utoschiles but lsid a not- out in What in happening 1s the construction of the for theory that every part of the Park should be made accessible horse-drawn vehicles. This is a rich ssn's folly. It des- troys the wildorneas for pedestrians and compere without bonofit ing elaborate roado which they cannot use. ting the mats of people in autos who will be Tritated by find- I hope that none of the domagogues here in Wash- ington will discover the fact that ho[Department of the Interior in practically surrendering the control of a National Park to a repreventative "oil man". We shoul a have a fine outburst of ora- tory if that were disclosed - especially as the plan 1s not a people's project but a rich man's hobby. I think that the following areas should be protected againat roada: - the Bubble Pond Valley; the area north of the Bubile and west of Ergro Lake; the Sergent-Jordan Auphitheatre. I think that there should be an automobile road up Green Mountain and an o ther dong the eant side of Eagle Lake, through the carry to Jordan's Pond and along the esst side of the Po nd to the J.P. house. I think the following roads, now constructed or under constructions and intended to be closed to automobiles, are a detriment to the Park and of no road 1880 to the public; the road from Lower Hadlook to Jordan's Pond; the road along the west side of Jordan's Pond; the road along the West aide of Sargent Mountain, penetruting the water-fall area and the road around the north end of Sargent Mountain. As to fires, there in a lot of nonsense talked. Mr. Rookefeller and Mr. Dorr announce 11 as their intention to "plant out" the rouda so as to make them invisible. This is necessary to prevent scarring the landscape. But if it 1s done it vantly lessens their value as fire protectors, Moreover, an you point out, even Some's Sound will not stop a real fire. The only safety in the vig- ilanoe of the wardens. If they are on the job we don't need roads. If they are not on the job, the roads will not help. As you know, I have been almost au much of a Maine man as a Pennsylvanian. I know every part of Maine. I have been a constant visitor to Mt. Desert Island for thirty-five years and a tax-payer for more thin twenty. My personal enjoyment is largly confined to the extreme western part of the Island where my Woodlawn Museum. A-60. Page a COPY. in. My interest in the Park is in no sense a salfinh ein's I crimp wint to ade is developed for the enjoyment of the largest mabes of people who 1009 151 but I believe it to be unintelliged 11y increasing to its accountinitity for the great utomobile riding pub- destroy the very things which make for enjoyment without TO 110. no amount of loosl employment can justify this. Yours Ancerely, hid E.G. Wilepper Woodlown Museum A-61. Senator Pepper to Mr. Kimball 1 COPY March 3, 1924. Mr. L. E. Kimball, Parker House, Boston, Mass. Dear Mr. Kimball: I am much obliged for your letter. Lafayette Park is the property of the Nation, not of the \ neighborhood. The real question, therefore, is not the giving of employment to the local people, but the best development of the Park for the benefit of as many citizens and visitors as can use it. You know me well enough to be sure that I am as much interested as anybody in the welfare of the people of Mount Desert Island. But as a Senator of the United States I should be bound to oppose a plan for giving them employment if the work were not for the best interests of the Park. In my opinion the Park should be developed in three ways only: one, by trails for pedestrians; two, by bridle paths for riders; and, three, by a very few roads to strategic centers and to typical viewpoints, such roads to be available for automobiles. that is happening is the construction of a network of roads not intended for use by automobiles but laid out in 2. Pepper to limball the theory that every part of the Park should be made accessible for horse-drawn vehicles. This is a rich man's folly. It destroys the wilderness for pedestrians and campers without benefitting the mass of people in autos who will be irritated by finding elaborate roads which they cannot use. I hope that none of the demagogues here in Washington will discover the fact that the Department of the Interior JOR: Jr. is practically surrendering the control of a National Park to a representative "oil man". We should have a fine outburst of oratory if that were disclosed especially as the plan is not a people's project but a rich man's hobby. I think that the following areas whould be protected against roads: the Bubble Pond Valley; the area north of the Bubbles and west of Eagle Lake; the Sargent-Jorden Amphitheatre . I think that there should be an automobile road up Green Mountain and another along the east side of Eagle Lake, through the Carry to Jordan's Pond and along the east side of the pond to the J. P. House I think the following roads, now constructed or under con- struction and intended to be closed to automobiles, are a detriment to the Park and of no real use to the public; the road from Lower Hadlock to Jordan's Pond; the road along the west side of Jordan's Pond; the road along the west side of Sargent Mountain, penetrating the water-fall area; and the road around the north end of Sargent Mountain. 3 Pepper to Kimball As to fires, there is a lot of nonsense talked. Mr. Rockefeller and Lr? Dorr announce it as their intention to "plant out" the roads SO as to make them invisible. This is necessary to prevent scarring the landscape. But if it is done it vastly lessens their value as fire protectors. Boreover, as you point out, even Somes Sound will not stop a real fire. The only safety is the vigilance of the wardens. If they are on the job we don't need roads. If they are not on the job, the roads will not help. As you know, I have been almost as much of a Maine man as a Pennsylvanian. I know every part of Maine. I have been a constant visitor to Mount Desert Island for thirty-five years and a tax-payer for more than twenty. My personal enjoyment is largely confined to the extreme western part of the Island wher e my camp is. Ky interest in the Park is in no sense a selfish one. I want to see it developed for the enjoyment of the largest number of people who can use it; but I believe it to be unintelligent to destroy the very things which make for enjoyment without really increasing its accessibility for the great automobile riding public. No amount of local employment can justify this. Yours sincerely, [G Pepper] x S no. NEW ROADS ON MOUNT DESERT ISLAND The Bar Harbor Times of March 5th has important news about the building of additional roads on the island and about the protest made by some of the summer residents led by Senator Pepper. The size of the group represented by Senator Pepper is not at the moment known. There will be those who do not agree with him, and there are naturally many diverse theories as to the best ways of developing the island. Many people, however, are of the opinion that, although in the first instance a national park was being created in the hope of preserving the beauty, wildness, and secluded spirit of this reservation, policies may be adopted that will end in a contrary result. Those interested in the island do not as a whole seen to have been informed of proposals being made in Washington ; and at the present time, when the building of new roads is being considered, few know exactly the location and extent of such roads. There is fear that, in spite of declarations to the contrary, these roads will defeat the policy of conserving the charm of our hills and woodlands. The road to the top of Green Mountain will give joy to every visitor on the island. One can only hope that it will make as inconspicuous a mark as possible on the mountain and that no object of any sort for a commercial purpose will ever be permitted upon any part of it.] There is no lack of sympathy for the wish to have between Bar Harbor and Jordon Pond house a more direct route than now exists. It might be pointed out, however, that the public al- ready has motor roads of beautiful, characteristic scenery in the Ocean Drive, the Gorge Road, the Brown Mountain Road, Sargent Drive, and the road to Southwest Harbor. Jordan Pond valley is the only region left to nature. The motor road now proposed, to extend from the north end of Bubble Pond westward round the Bubbles, then southward and across the western side of Pemetic to the Jordan Pond house, means the invasion of an area of peculiar impressiveness. As this road is to be 200 feet above the level of the pond, 1t will make a long scar across Pemetic. In addition to this motor road, carriage roads are planned this section. One is to run from the north end of Bubble for Pond westward to the north of Sargent. Another is to go from Eagle Lake Road along the went side of Eagle Lake to connect with the road to Sargent. They will enter regions prized by many na- ture-lovers for the present illusion of remoteness. If the land they open up should eventually be demanded by visiting campers for their use, that would menn a service for B large number of people but in that service the beauty of these places would be bound to suffer. This policy of road building is to be discussed In Wash- ington, before the Department of the Interior, at 10 o'clock, on the 26th day of March; and individuals interested are wel- come at the hearing. If you are in sympathy with the point of view represented by Senator Pepper, will you kindly sign your name to the follow- ing petition to be presented at that time? The paper with your signature should be sent to me at once. FRANK B. ROWELL, 470 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY. The undersigned petitions: First: That the carriage road from the north end of Bubble Pond, proceeding westward on the north side of the Bubbles to the carriage road around the north end of Sargent Moun- tain, together with the carriage road extending therefrom on the west side of Eagle Lake to Eagle Lake Road be el- iminated. Second: That the portion of the automobile road extending from the north end of Bubble Pond around the north end of Pemetic Mountain and proceeding thenco along its western side to the Jordan Pond house be eliminated. Third: That, while not disapproving of e more direct motor road between Bar Harbor and Jordan Pond, the adoption of a different location be urged and a location calculated to do the least harm to the beauty and serenity of the Jordan Pond district. Fourth: That, to the end that the Park may remain untouched by further inroads of modern civilization, a committee be constituted comprising representatives of the Village Im- provement Associations of Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor, and Bar Harbor, for the purpose of conferring with the Superintendent of the Lafayette National Park in relation to Park affairs, in order that the property owners and residents of the island, as well as others, may be in- formed of contemplated developments prior to a final deter- mination or the beginning of any new work. The undersigned is not sending this notice as the repre- sentative of any organization of people. FRANK B. ROWELL Ellwworth, Maine, March 8, 1924. Hon. George Wharton Pepper, United States Senate, Wishington, D. C. Dear Senator Pepper:- You were very kind to send me 11 copy of letter [He] you wrote Kimball and I think it may lead to a better under- standing of your position, which will clear up the whole situation. I have not answered your letter before because I wanted to come East and get some more information. It 113 perfectly clear to the now that the people here have inleunderatood your position to Botte extent and you have misundo retood them. We all have the Baine object in view, namely, the best and most intelligent long distance develop- ment of the Park for the use of the people of the country, having not so much reference to the rich man's individual tastes 88 to the on joyment by the large body of people. It would be 2027y, nu you muggest, to make any development of thin Prink for the benefit of one Bmail class only. I infor from your letter to Limbe:1 that he had written you taiking some point of the eisp eyeant of a large number of 15012 which work on the Park ronde would give. That shown a very narrow Incil view point which is not shared by anybody, having in mind the beat development of the Park and should not be thought of or considered for H. moment. In order to allow exactly what has been done and what the Interior Department two years ago authorized to be done and whit the poople in this section are very earnest in their desire should be done, I have had prepared a plan above ing the section of Mount Desert Inland 6ant of Somes Sound with the main public road shown upon it and the Park area in pink. The automobile rond, propoued and under construction, is shown by the green lines, the solid being constructed, the barred being under construction, and the parallel green Woodlawn Museum A-60. Full letter of incomplete copy. G. W. P. 3/8/34. lines being the continuation of the proposed automobile roads. The brown lines represent roads for horses only, being dirt roads, not wide enough for automobiles, ex- cept in onue 02 emergency, the Bolid brown being construo- tell ronds, the barred brown being under construction and the Barallel brown being proposed roads in continuation of the others. You being very familiar with the location onn Hpppy this plan to the face of the earth at once. There are no elevation lines on it but the Government ohart which I enclose gives their on a smeller scale. I agree wish you entirely that there should be 13. very few automobile roads to strategic centers and typical view points. Idon't know as you will think that enough have been planned. The only one a contemplated are the two which you suggest 111 your letter so be desirable, namely, one up Green Mountain and another along the east Hide OI Eagle Lake through the carry to Jordon Pond and along the eant side of the Pend to the Jordon Pond House. These two roads are very important and through the support of some wealthy people, principally Mr. Rockefoller, who is interested in the plan approved by the Park people in 1922, a considerable part of the road by Eagle Lake to Jordon Pond has already been constructed and I hope nnother year till be completed. That will be 12. wonderful thing for the people who want to come from away and visit the Park. Most people now come in automobiles, as you know. It is 80122 to be a magnificent road, costing Bome $50,000.00 a mile, which will be au good for the next generation as this and 1B not costing the Government a dollar. It will afford pleasure to hundreds of thousands of people within the next few years. The automobile road up Green Mountain, I fear, is not quite BO near to us, but if we can get broking and help for it, it ought to come and it will be one of the grantost attractions on the Atlantic Coaut. No other automobilesroedu are proposed and I should doubt if any others would or could be built for many years. I think it ouight to be known that the plane for the automobile ronds above mentioned meet with your cordial support because I do nos think that haB been thoroughly understood and there has been Soloe unfortunate feeling engendered on the Island on that conount. will try to see that that impression is corrected. We feel that you are in a way one of our residents. Woodlawn, A-60 G. W. P.-3. 3/8/34. 11.11.1 the Sucratary The DIAN or the roved Interior by the National Park Service mentioned, Park boing the only onea in the foods above superate road . One was the In automobile 1932 Included two earth ens t aurinoe or Hujtle Lake and Jordon Pond, great the section other of tize for Nutomobiled horden, not at prement wide enough or use perhaps good passengers, and rund of narrow width for of funt being an This 1 is the combined 10/18/13 of Surgent and Jordan completed, anoiroling and being one continuous road when enough the only rond proposed in that section and Mountaine. naciunary wide, it to 14 road of Bone kind into the Park 18.8 1 : that is BB would Boom 1111 11" this were nB little detrimental on not wall built and constructed in an artistic manner it possible. in Whore built, (and it in now largely constructed) In the Landnoape. to Interfere with the view or be any objectionable feature HO as A considerable part of this road is not on the Government Land but the 12121.10 will have the use of 11. Only two Smill linka of that road are wholly undonstructed across the Park, one adroan the northern end about three-quartern of a mile in 101/tt and one in the southern part of not more than two-thirda or a mile, from Mitchell Hill toward Jorden Pond. The barrod brown Line north from the west shore of Jordan Pond 10 anothes Linky but 1s unles construction. When there three short linka are constructed there w111 be this one com- plate road around the MILBE of mountains. The advantage of th1s road is that it gives UB access to the Park from the West and Bouth sidea. It =leo furnishes or decommunication from the southwest Valley to the country Bouth of Jordan Pond. It enables people to come into the Park either on foot or with horses. There is no network of rondo nt A11 but this one narrow road running around the mountain. A COND of Boine kind to get into this large section of the Park 1s abiolutely necessary for Administration purposes. Grame has got to be protected and fire looked out for and this one principal rond weel adapted for these two purposes, so well 813 for the une of people coming in largely on foot to use the Park. Woodlown A-60 17. P. -4- 3/8/24. wastern the section so important 88 the permanent in the road Personally I do not think the dirt road in eastern, because the latter will accomolate automobile more small people, links but unless we are permitted to finish vistly the three would completes the road around the mountain, we prebably which in the thousand acre tract West of Jordan 2nd osuda both are pert of ons plan which is backed by the citisens be- not get the entomobile road whior everybody wante. and financed by private enterprise and not by the Covernment. In 1922 the plan comprising these two comparatively email and vory essential road systems was approved by the De- partment and the director of the Park, Mr. Dorr. was authorized to enlist the interest of Individuals In the project socure subscriptions for the purpose of completing the roads as wall as for possible additions to the Park. M2. DOTT 1112 sible to do this, and among the principal ones whose support was secured for the plan was Mr. Rocknfallor, who stread to come to the aid of the plan 0.3 a wholo. givin the nae of the roads over his 01/17 land and furnishing a largo and of money for the building of the antomobile road as world as the other. This money has bean raised and speat in reliance the plan for the two 2008 systems approved by the Department and on the strength of the good faith of the Government. If YOU pretent the completion of one of these two road 3ystens ve cannot in decency ask for support both other. If the interest 0.0 generous private citizens is ooolod. the or) have to stop and the whole plan of development charlioned sit' no prospect of its completion in this gonoration. That eill be a calamity impossible to contempleto. The great voln of the Per's to the people would be ruined. None of de Could to be responsible for that. I am sure that you 121 agree with me that that must be evoided. I agree with you that gertain areas in this section must be protected ageinst roads. The Bubble Poul Villa should not Lava any roads and none is contounlatel there. I em soook- ing. of course, of Government land. I Delieve there is a road in that vioinity called the Boyd Road that has been there ever since I can remember, but that cannot be helped now even is it is a detrimont. The area north of the Babblos and west of Eagle Take should not have any more roads, but that is a matter we cannot control through the Government ag it is still private land. As to the Sargiht-Jordan Amphitheater, you may ro- member thst & road was started there but abandoned on your suggestion that it would be inadvisable. I hope that this plan and this explanation will Woodlown A 60 W. P. -54 3/8/24. bring us all nearer together and perhaps entirely so. With your support of the two autonobile roads making one system on the eastern side of the ponds in the Green Mountain section and the practical connection of them with the completion of the small links of the dirt roads on the west, the fact that a large part of the latter. 30 far as they are on Government land at all, has been built in years past, some before the Park land was acquired, and the feet that 11 this plan is killed now there will be practically no road leading anywhere and an immenso amount of money wasted in isolated links, with various other considerations which I have briefly referred to, combine to make it most imperative from a practical point of view that the management of the Park be permitted to finish the job it has undertaken. I have not spoken of the wishes of the people in the immediate locality. Naturally they are not the only ones to bo considered, but the nearer you get to the Park the more interested are the people in it. I find that there is a tremendous and overwhelming support of the plan to build these roads. It would be a bitter disappointment and a serious blow to the people if anything happens to prevent the carrying out of the plan. I earnestly hope that on studying the situation you will withdraw your opposition to the small links yet to be built to finish the complete road around the Sargent Mountain tract with the understanding, which I think ought to be made plain, that no other or further roads are in contemplation or should be authorized. with very kind regards, I am Yours very truly, Johaphy EJobe A. Peters] ITIONAL ARCHIVES 10-23 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LAFAYETTE NATIONAL PARK FILE No. Part 2. ROADS etters in Suffert of Development Letters of Opposition Re scarings of Mar. 26,1924 2 - DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LAFAYETTE NATIONAL PARK BAR HARBOR, MAINE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 15, 1934. Denr Mrs. Techay-Swith I write in the absence of Mr. Dorr to answ r the letter which has just reached me as Acting Superintendent of the Prees, to state the the large liberality which has made possible the driving roads end bridle paths entering the National Pept lords on the shol Humber to sticou and Northeast Herbor side is principally but not wholly due to Mr. Rockefeller, The ronds built in connection with there over the private lands adjoining, left freely open to the public with motors clone excluded and giving access to the Park which has as yet no legal eccess on this sido, is due to Mr. 'OC efeller wholly, the has regarded this as a contribution to the pleasure of Park visitors and his summer prodident neighbors. incerely yours, 0 a. I. Tynam, cting tendent. 3HL is 3. OF THE INTERIOR RECEIVED DEP'T OF THE MAR 17 1924 PAZPANE REPLY NIONAL PARKS MAR 17 1924 MAILS & For Secretary's Signature S-OFF 17. The Secretary of the Interior Dear Sir: I am just in receipt of a letter stating that a Committee is to appear before you on March 26th in re- lation to The National Lafayette Park in Maine. May I be allowed to write just a few lines in reference to the work. Mr. Dorr who has been the prime mover and most instrumental in securing the lands, and presenting them to the Government as a National Park has given his time, strength and money to this end. There has been no graft, no dishonesty, no selfishness in the whole thing, only a feeling that this beautiful region should be kept as a Park and the wild life preserved and protected SO that other generations may enjoy what we do now. Mv home over- looks a portion of the Park, and it is a great joy to drive through it, thanks to the thoughtful generosity of Mr. Rockerfeller, who at his own expense has opened up some of the most beautiful sections of The Park by well planned, and well constructed roads. These are open to old and young, as well as to carriages, and those on horseback, not how- ever to motors. Now 11 there is a certain element who "loving nature", as they say, do not like to see the mountain sides scarred with roads" Nature will take care of this and is already covering over the "scars" with briar and bramble, flowers and ferns. These "lovers of nature" object to these roads as it interferes with the privacy of their picnics. They do not picnic on the road. They simply cross them in order to get to the denser woods. In the meantime through the generosity of one man the gates of the Park have been thrown open, not only to those of who enjoy tramping, but to those who feeling the weight is years, can easily be driven through. Such an opportunity seldom presented to a community as having the work done building is expensive, and this too has given work to all who for them and might not occur in hundreds of years, for road wish to avail themselves of the opportunity. All other na- tional Parks have been opened up, why not this one? I only THE A 4. -2- wish I could persuade you, Mr. Secretary, to visit us at Mount Desert, and let me drive you through the Park and see its beauties. I know then you would realize how much has been wisely done to save and protect the land as well as to open it up. Very truly yours, Virginia Thiarh machay Smith me arey! Maskey-Smith 1325- Supleunta sh. 3H1 A adona DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WASHINGTON 5. March 11, 1924. The Director, National Park Service. Sir: When I was in Boston on February twenty-third, I attended a meeting of the New England conference for the protection of National Parks. This meeting was held in the club rooms of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and there were present representatives of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Massachusetts Forestry Association, Society for the protec- tion of New Hampshire Forests, Boston Society of Landscape Architects, Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Massachusetts Federa- tion of Planning Boards, New England Trail Conference, Brookline Civic Society anu the Boston Society of Civil Engineers. The meeting was presided over by Mr. Harlan P. Kelsey, Chairman of the Conference. After a thorough discussion 01 the pending Baroour bill for the creation 01 the Roosevelt-Secuoia National Park, a gentleman by the name of Peabody asked permission to discuss plans for road building in Larayette National Park. Mr. Peabody showed numerous maps and pictures and strongly urged the New England Conference to oppose certain road building projects. Me stated that Senator Pepper of Pennsylvania had prepared a strong speech condemning the road projects developed for Lafayette Park and expects to deliver this speech on the floor of the Senate. He stated that the other people interested in the Park had asked that the speech be not delivered until an effort was made to secure the stop ing of the road work through the Secretary of the Interior. He explained that the Secretary ordered a hearing in his office on March twenty-sixth. The argument that seemed to impress most of the people at the Conference was that at the present time it is EHIL 14 possible to go from one side of Mount Desert Island to the other 6. in not exceeding thirty minutes, and that if the proposed road is built through the Park this time can be reduced to fifteen minutes. He contended that the road was not necessary, that it would spoil the wilderness charm of the Park. He contended further that these projects have not been passed upon by competent landscape engineers ana that the work was not being done in accordance with the principles of landscape preserva- tion. He said that many of the proposed roads were designated on the maps as carriage roads, but contended that they would, when built, be opened to automobiles, if not immediately, certainly later on. Mr. Peabody made a very fine presentation, and not having seen Lafayette Park and also not being familiar with the details of the road plans, I must .confess that I. was quite convinced by his argument that if the road work should not be stopped the plans should be thoroughly investigated by the National Park Service and our landscape man detailed to study the situation. I felt very much embarrassed as I was unable to make any argument in reply, when called upon to speak, except to state that as Mr. Dorr, the Superintendent of the Park, was in Boston he should be called upon to make a state- ment in behalf of myself ani the National Park Service. When asked as to whether our landscape engineer had visited lafayette Park, I stated that I could not recall when he had made a visit to that Park and believed he had not had the road plans under consideration. The Conference finally went on record as being of the opinion that landscape men should study the road projects and that, pending this study, construction work should be stopped. The Conference also directed that it should be represented at the nearing to be held March 26th. I feel that the National Park Service is in a delicate situation in this matter ana that we shoula proceed slowly in the approval of plans for continuation of the road work. Mr. Peabody made the statement that he did not think it would be ossible to stop the Cadillac Mountain road, which 2 3H1 A and 7. is included in our general road budget. I gathered from his talk that it was the hope of himself and his associates, probably also of Senator Pepper, that at the meeting in Washington a compromise could be agreed upon whereby the road across the Park and certain so-called carriage road projects would be stopped and the Cadillac Mountain construction work allowed to proceed. However, this may not have been in his mind at all. It is merely a conclusion I drew from certain arguments he advanced. Xnare Horace M. m Albright, arough Field Assistant to the Director. 3 3H1 14 CED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES girgfinging Jonn your 8. you NARA, CP, R679, CCF, Acalia, March 10. 1924 The Director of National Park Service: Dear Sir: Please let me emphatically approve the continua- tion of the road building program already approved by the Department of the Interior, for the development of the LaFayette National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine. The location of the roads has been carefully studied and if followed out will afford means of access to parts of the Island now only possible to visit on foot. As the National Parks are presumably for the good of the public, it would seem rational to make attractive points in the park scenery accessable, provided this can be accomplished without permanent disfigurement to the landsoape. As I have been a summer resident of the Island for forty years and have done much professional work on the Island and in its immediate neighborhood, I have kept informed of the progress of the road=building as out- lined in the Park and have approved the various steps in the accomplishment of the well thought-out plan. Tempo- rary defacement is, of course, unavoidable when large con- struction is necessary; this should not alarm the most conservative, however, as the scars will be covered in the course of a few years by the planting and arrange- ments which are carried on simultaneously with the con- struction. The homely adage should be remembered, that an omelet is not made without breaking eggs, and those who are worried by certain details of present construction should remember that in all large schemes any temporary discomfort must be accepted in view of developments which should be planned for the use of those generations which will follow ours. Respectfully yours. F/S Beaury banant 9. COPY. Hinckley, Allen, Millinghast E: Phillips. Counselors at Law Turks Head Building, Providence, R. I. March 13th, 1924. A. ii. Lynam, Esq., Lafayette National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine. Dear Mr. Lynam: I am in receipt of your letter of March 11th with reference to the hoaring that is to be had bo- fore the Cecretary of the Intorior on March 26th relative to the road development of Lafayette National Park. I r grot to have to advise you that I an strongly opposed to the proposed motor road through the lake valleys and possibly to the bridle path and driving road. I have recently bought a surmer residence at Scal Harbor and while I realize that the National Park system is for the benefit of the whole public, I believe that the interests and wishes of the sumer residents who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to develop Count Desert and malco it beautiful for summer homes should be of the first consideration. I cannot believe that the legitinate develo ment of the Lafayette National Park requires the building of a notor road through its most beautiful parts. Members of the public who really enjoy nature and who want to S 00 the Park in its real natural beauty should be af orded real facilities for making trips to it and tranping over it, and in my opinion, the building of a motor road is greatly destructive to the natural beauties of the Paris and its legitinate use. Naturally, therefore, I cannot contribute to the purpose suggested by Mr. Dorre Yours very truly, (signed) Arthur 11. Allen T. 14 March, 1934. Dear Mr. Dorr: I have not yet received a reply from Senator Pepper to my long letter. I wrote him that I was sending it before it was sent. I Hend you a copy of his reply in which he claims that he has obtined a regruit in the person of McIntyro. Hadn't you bettor see McIntyre and explain to him that it is not 80 much the desire to have the road around Sargent Mounuain closed to autombiles as the necessity that the situation requires it for the present, and that, without that road, it may be very doubtful whether we got the automobile roads. Perhaps you cannot do this, but let Harry Lynam do it. It may be well to have McIntyre see the letter that Pepper wrote to Kimball and my reply, and then perhaps we can frame up a letter for McInture to write Pepper, be- cause he must be heard from again; otherwise Pepper will quote him, at the hearing, as being on his side. Let McIntyre, also, see a copy of the petition that we signed in Ellsworth, that Judge Deasy drew, and see if he would be willing to sign one like that. Very truly yours, [John A. Peters] George B. Dorr, Esq., Bar Harbor, Maine. 14 March, 1924. Dear Ira: In the eastern part of the State we need your help as a lawyer as well as a statesman in the matter of the Nation- al Park on Mount Desert Island. Two years ago the Interior Department authorized a system of roads in two sections of the Park, both extremely des- irable and earnestly desired by all the people in the vicinity and all other in Maine who know the situation. We didnot want to ask the Government for any money, and didn't think we would get it if we did, so the Department authorized the Director, Mr. Dorr, to solicit private subscriptions. He did so with great success. Mr. Rockefeller being tapped for the largest amount. A fine automobile road in the vicinity of Green Mountain is being constructed largely with Mr. Rockefeller's money. Also, as part of the same plan, a horse road, for foot passengers and horses only, in the western section of the Park. This is for admin- istrative purposes and to permit people to get in there on foot largely, as that section of the Park is not BO much used. Later on that road can be made into an automobile road if we get the necessary money. That road is also partly built, only three small links being uncompleted. It has not cost the Government a dollar$ when completed it will be of great benefit to the State. Senstor Pepper goes to Northeast Harbor in the summer and our work is not going on to suit him. He is more in favor, I think, of allowing the Park to be entirely wind, which of course would be nice to people who oan afford the time and money to climb over it. But the traveling public now goes in automobiles, and we must have those automobile roads in the Green Mountain section. They are going to be permanent roads, as good for the next gener- ation as this, costing fifty thousand dollars a mile, of which the Government pays nothing, If they are completed hundreda of thous- ands of people will enjoy the Park in the next few years. This Park should not be a rich man's Park or a one- I man Park, but should be accessible to the use of all the people. It must not be shut up or fixed so that people cannot get into it except by climbing mountains, because they will not go under those circumstances. The mountains havealways been there, and people have never gone before. Please read the enclosed copy of letter from Pepper to Kimball, and from me to Pepper. I have tried to placate him and not make him hostile, and I hope that we can compromise. But, if JAP-IGH. 2. it becomes necessary to fight, we must do so, and I am personally of the opinion that one man from Pennsylvania, even if he is a senator, should not control the destinies of all the people of Maine, although, so far, he has been able to hold this thing up and even to cause the Department to fix a time for hearing practically for the people of Maine to show cause why this road should not be stopped. I Personally, I think it is an outrage on us, but I cannot say that except to you. You can catch more flies with mole see than with some other things. The whole trouble comes right here: Pepper has not con- sented to the automobile roads in the eastern section, which are the ones we went most. But the trouble is that we cannot get them unless the others are built, because the Government isn't furnish- ing the money and Rockefeller and the others supported the plan as a whole, and the Department approved it two years ago, and the supporters have contributed money to the plan as a whole, and the whole plan has been carried on in that way, and if part of it is out out we probably wouldn't get any more money for the rest of it, and the work will have to stop with isolated sections of it up in the air getting nowhere; and there would be howl here that you could hear to California. We went your help at the hearing, if it becomes neces- sary to have it. I am sending John Nelson a plan like the one sent Pepper. I will ask you to take the plan and read over the letters with that in view and be ready to be vociforous for us, if necessary, on the twenty-sixth. There will be plenty of facts, arguments and witnesses down there to use; the only question is utilizing them properly. Nelson represents the Park district here and will have to take the lead, but he has got to be backed up thoroughly of course. This is a preliminary letter to get you in touch with the situation through the correspondence with Pepper. I will let you k ow what his answer to my letter is. Very truly yours, [John A. Peters] Hon. Ira G. Hersey, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. the PH. GEORGE L STEBBINS CAREOR DENCAN CANDLER TSB FIFTB AVENUE march 15. 1924 NEW YORK wear Judge Peters ghan no alwaysable To day s The letter wice 2e conduced 9 had a lack with m R and we have anumed for m Debevore a good new York lawya to go to the hearing with me to represent The 5. H. Rose I h in while to Talle genual male of the Kro undings & speak if it seems has 9 had a lakk with m Delevere & m 2114 aish unless other arran annues have been made that you would head The dely alem housing Pra fraus that if m Don is in from manu a Hancana Co and guide am charge ha will 5 To preve loo much + lack 100 for Peakaks This is all is planned + of cerve if 4-are Dracy were in charge comea Z 0.75 yes 9 Throals you can un dusland [homes am horlans me year it is To releve mm Don of that sort of informating ] I am unling Nany by m am you not mentioning This pant as Janka as 9 do Is you so are you process look onto The matter 7 aderce me A-60 GEORGE L STERBINS CARE OF DUNCAN CANDLER 753 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK more unleresled is that is is mee to have The having In that is user come our all req his if conder chea for line dont want Ym Dar to Try To know Too the List me know how the situation appears to you Your very sen may Team L own m Wood Hown. A-60 George L. Stebbins care of Duncan Candler 753 Fifth Avenue New York March 15, 1924 Dear Mr. Lynam Yesterday I had a talk with Mr. Debevoise in regard to the hearing at Washington & we both agreed that it would be a great help if Judge Peters would attend it and unless other arrangements had been made take charge of the presentation of our case. Perhaps Judge Deasy will do that & if so it would of course be equally satisfactory. We fear that unless there is a cool guiding hand at the wheel we may n our eagerness try to prove our case too much and of course with Peters long experience at Washington and keen judgment he would be invaluable. Mr. Lincoln Cromwell of Northeast Harbor and New York will go to the hearing and is a good man. Very even tempered & with good judgment. If I am wanted to talk I will try & not say too much but my interest in the paths & roads on the Island dates back farther than most. In 1895, I worked with Waldron Bates laying out and constructing the system of paths and trails that has meant so much to the Island. With him & Sargent of Northeast Harbor I rebuilt & keptup the Bubble Pond & Wildwood Farm road & as stated in my letter of the 12th I bought the Eastern Shore Land Co. tract of 3000 acres and the Sargent Mt Tract of about 1500 acres & with the backing of Mr Dorr & Prest Eliot raised the money to give these tracts to the Park. . My associates at -2- Seal Harbor & I gave 1000 acres-- Pemetic & The Triads and contributed largely to the Sargent Mt & Bubble Mt tract I dont write this to talk about myself but simply to let you know what standing I would have at the hearing Please keep me posted so that I may advise Mr Debevoise of the situation The hearing I understand is March 26th 11. A.M. Where in Washington-- At Secy of Interiors office? Yours sincerely GEROGE L STEBBINS P. S. My experience in the west has shown me how important it is in National Parks to have both trails -- horse and donkey roads and auto roads. They have all in the Pike's Peak region where I have recently lived. COPY TO the Director of National F rk Service, Washington, D.C. Dear Sir; It is .ith dismay I have heard of the recent opposition to the road building in Lafayette National Park. were I the only one who is affected it would of course mean little, but I am sure the many generous persons who gave land to make this National Park possible will be greatly disappointed not to have the beautiful scenic parts of our Island of Mount Desert developed. Years ago the paths over the mountains were made and maintained by different individuals, also by village Improvement Societies. These paths helped to call the attention of visitors to the beauties of forests, mountains and sea. Is it possible that our Government after accepting the gift of the Park is not going to do its share in making its roads? roads which must make accessible other spots which are forbidden to us who no longer can climb mountains? Lafayette Park is a gift to the Nation, a rare combination of mountain and sea. I would I could bespeak your good will and support of a place dear to a western Woman who has been true to her Maine home for over thirty years. Respectfully, (signed) Kate D.Hinckle Cincinnati, Ohio. March 16, 1924. hine, arch 10, 1924. Non. Jeopre heating Pepper, United tates enate, ashington, it. C. Dear Sennion Poppor:- 2 an very ratch official to you for your' letter of the 17th, mich, think, holma clear up the situation. As I and before, 100 have the same object in view, so vit, the best; Interest of the public nt lense, and the only question is as to the best veg of achieving it a sorry that you think the road around the outsain treat, Si Mataice. If it 1s a mistake it was made about UNO yours 200 when the road was Into out un- der the direct supervision of the National Park Service and the MODY has progressed 000 Par and too much money has been spent on it not in I oblision, to The it foneible to abandon it and T chink that you will finally agree with no in that proposition, especially in vice of the fact, Mich I trice to emphasize before, that this - conclusion is so bound up with the completion or the eutomabile FORC'S that NO RDC no anxious for that we can't drop me without dropping both. I do not think it would be fonsible, end cortainly not just to the poople of about no. greatly interested in 1110 manifer, to now at this 1010 da leave the question as to whether the partly Statehod road sho la he comleted to any outside body appointed by the Secretary or otherwise. The location of this road in the vestorm section was extained and approved by she officials of the ark Corvico who onne down hore in person and went over the route, muggested 30.00 changes, and the road was built, or is boing built, exactly as laid out by then. the plan comprehending those two wond systems was also approved and supported in writing by Senator Valo and ernald and Depresentative Welson in 1922. I take it the only object In referring it to another body would be to inform the ecretary as to the desirability or otherwise of completing the road, which is just what this henring next edmonday is to be for midi, AS I understand it, there will be present at the hearing everybody competent to advise the ocretary and supply 1: with a complete source of information on every subject bearing unon the matter The Secretary can roally got none information from the people who will be present nt that mooting than ho could possibly get from any comission no might appoint. Desides that, of courso, 1: is highly important that the matter be sobiled now. G. P. -2- 3/19/24. Porsonally, however, I quite endorse your surgestion that in the futuro an advisory body right be created to study and make rocomendations in the mettor of any future ronds, although the fact should not be lost eight of that the people in the Pork ervice are the ones provided for that purpose and the Socretary of the Interior at any time can call upon anybody at any time for advice or suggestions. I do think, however, that in the future it would be wise to have fu 11 cooperation so far 0.3 possible by all interested personsand I for one shall strive to bring that about. I believe I have lately been made one of the directors of the Trustoes of ublic insorvations. a to your suggestion about the colo Inko-Carry- Jordan pond poute, you RNO alwandy aware that that road goos in the place you desire 1t, that is along the vestern base of enetic ountain. I notice you suggest, however, that this automobile road ought not, to touch Bubble Pond Anywhere, that it may be lest 2010 open for the use of caspers, podes- trians and suturong" The automable road is alventy built in that section and docs at one point, before it swerves off to the westward, very nearly couch the pond. This is necessary owing to the surface of the earth in that locality. the rond could not have been carried throu any other course or account of a ravine in that vicinity. it is not desirable that this pond be used for the purposes you mention, in fact this purpose is prohibited because the pour is a cource of the water supply for for arbor running inco agle also and both Takes are protected from campers, SWIMMERS, etc. by regulations authorized by law in this state. c all appreciate the fact that there are some people few in curter, who are opposed to this suto nobile road system end do not agree with you and no that it 16 necessary, AS a matter of fact, practically experient for the best use of the art by the public, and very likely COMO of these people may be at the bearing, but their objections are entirely selfish. They don't want automobiles in their Imediate vicinity. That meter was fought out and takon cero of by the logislature of this Cente more than ten years ago and you and I know that the public will come to this MARK in automobiles in great numbers and that is about the only way they will come and if they do not have those autouobile roads there will be a riot, no that opposition really cannot stand for a moment. c here, knowing the value of your support and be- lieving that WC want to accomplish the sano things, will appreciate it highly if you would 6.0 to the hoaring next adnesday and state your position, being in favor of the automobile rands an plannedand, if I understand it correctly, Shops: -3- that while you still consider that an error was made originally in planting the section of road ir the western part, that it would be unviso not to finish it at the prement time, 1,0 having been so meanly COT lated, undfurther that in your optistion an advinory body about be Arranged for in the future to states i is thantica in the water of any future monda. There 1 t b: some differences of opinion about this latter million the others my not fool as I 20, that there would be no objection to anch e. body. That matter could be handled in the frience. The Additional feder you 10 not to have this plan of road lutting stopped. If 11; is stopped it would be A very serious thing for 135 in this locality and (1)) interfare and perhaps 1133 the battling of these words which 50 bith be !leve are necessary. it 10 to any that you must not for $ moment con- sider declinion to cour to the State Convention, The Republicans STC expection you and count wyon your befre here. They have a NEW High regard for you and there is not a reason in the world why it glight concerning this show change your ettitude or course any colverent ent. It wou? be . good deal more entarmosing 2f you ctd not come than : 7012 came. mare is of course a MM approad interest in this road indiction nian for the ari, socially in the auto while parts, 1ri you favor in INC .11 in Mipore was at first a About your position but that is being corrected and by the +1 e in have the date Convention horo, with this mosting next adnesdey behind us, everything will be perfectly and T cannot un you 500 strongly no: to disappoint uc on that occasion ith kind regards, I an Youre very truly, [John A.Peters] COPY Augusta, Maine, March 17,1924. My dear Secretary Work: I understand that a hearing soon is to be held at your Department in regard to the construction of certain roads in Lafayette National Park, I ount Desert Island, Maine. In my opinion the completion of the program of road construction means a great deal, not only for Mount Lesert Island but for the entire State of Maine and New England. The beauty and picturesqueness of L fayette National Park is unsurpassed. The building of roads will open to the public the most beautiful sections of the Park and also will afford much needed protection against forest fires. The people of Maine are becoming more and more interested in this wonderful location and we are fortunate in having summer residents whose public spirit permits them to expend large sums of money in the public interest. Certain of the proposed roads are to be open I'or motor traffic, while others are confined to horsedrawn vehicles. The people of my State consiger this rrangement entirely reasonable and are overwhelmingly in favor of the development of the Park and the continu tion of the road building program. With kind personal regards, I am, Faithfully yours, (Signed) Percival P1Baxter Governor of Maine To non. Hubert Work, Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D.C. Dup. Philadelphia, Penna., March 17, 1924. Honorable John A. Petera, Ellsworth, Maine. Dear Judge Peters:- I have your considerate and comprehensive letter, together with the Geological Survey Map. Doubtless the plan referred to in your letter will arrive in due course. I am familiar with the road which is intended to girdle the Sargent-Jordan mountain. It is a very fine piece of engineering. It is wide enough for automobiles and, in the finished parts, has an excellent parkway surface. Its curves, however, have apparently been planned so as to make its use unsafe for motor use. with regard to this girdling road, unavailable for automobiles, unnecessarily large and formal for equestrian use and uninteresting for pedestrians, I have always thought (and still think) that it spoils the Park without benefitting the public. The strongest argument for finishing it is that so much harm has been done that a little more will make no difference. I recognize the force of this argument and have no intention of doing more thenurging upon the Secretary of the Interior the appointment of some fairly representative body of advisers to oheck up on Mr. Dorr's activities. The whole development has been adroitly slipped through by him without any such publicity as should characterize government work. I doubt if anybody higher in the scale of authority ever made any study of the situation until the the thing had gone too far to be dropped. If such a group of advisers think the girdling road should be finished, I shall not oppose it. As to the automobile road, I think it is an inevitable feature of Park development. As between a route along the eastern base of Pemetic Mountain and a route along its western base, I favor the latter. If this route is adopted it will be upon the theory that Bubble Pond Valley should be left in wilderness. If so, the westward swing of the road from the Woodlawn Huseum 4460 COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS. Judge Peters, -2- 3/17/1924 eastern shore of Eagle Lake ought to occur far enough north of Bubble Pond to make the Pond inaccessible from the north except to pedestrians. I agree that the Boyd Road is unobjectionable; but if the new auto road is to touch the north end of Bubble Pond before swinging westward, we shall have destroyed the wilderness for campers, pedestrians and swimmers. As you know, the summer residents appearing before the Secretary on the 26th will oppose the auto route which you and I approve. Upon the whole, my position is, and always has been, as follows:- 1. That the girdling system of roads is a grave mistake. 2. That some competent body should study the situation and advise the Secretary whether the thing has gone so far that it ought to be finished. 3. That such a body ought in the future to have jurisdiction to insure against one-man control of a public trust. 4. That, on the whole, the Eagle Lake-Carry-Jordan Pond route is the best for the auto road, provided it is not so laid out as to spoil Bubble Pond en route. As you know, Maine for thirty-five years has shared my interest and affection with Pennsylvania. I know all parts of the State and have stumbled over every big stone on Mt. Desert Island. I have gradually shifted the centre of my personal interest over to the western shore of the Island, between Pretty Marsh and Indian Point, so that my view of the Park is a detached one, disassociated from personal con- cern. What I want to do is to preserve the feature that makes Mt. Desert unique - the neighborly 00-existence of wilderness and civilization. If we keep mountain barriers between the two, we shall be acting wisely. If we mix them up and try to strike an average everywhere, we shall destroy the dis- tinctive character of the Island and reduce the whole proposit- ion to a dead level of mediocrity. I should be sorry to have the whole thing degenerate into the Lafayette National Pionic Park with tin cans and egg shells on the side. Woodlewn 4 to EDERION HALE, ME. I KEY PITTMAN, NEV. HEISLER HALL, DEL. THOMAS 4. WALSH MONT. OROR WHARTON PEPPER, PA. PETER a. DERRY, R.I. IKER L. ODDIE. NEV. PARK TRAMMELL.FLA. or COUZENS, MICH. WILLIAM H. KING, UTAH United States Senate, COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS. Judge Peters, -3- 3/17/1984 Senator Hale had been kind enough to invite me to address the Republican State Convention at Portland on April 3rd. I have, however, suggested to him that it would be best to call this off, as the widespread misunderstanding of my attitude on the road question would probably make my presence embarrassing. Moreover, I shall be glad to be relieved of this engagement, as I am working under very heavy pressure and I do not want to be absent from Washington this Spring. With kind personal regards, I am Yours sincerely, Woodlawn A-60 congress of the United States house of Representatives Washington, D. C. March 17,1924 Honorable John A. Peters United States Courts PORTLAND, Maine Dear John: Your letter of the 14th is just received. I have read it and the enclosures with interest. I will get into immediate touch with John Nelson, and do anything and everything I can. Do you know whether Fred Hale tried to do anything with Pepper or not. They are apparently on terms of social intimacy. Either John OI I will advise you what the present situation is as soon as I can ascertain it, and what, if anything, we are able to accomplish. I have heard indirectly of the improvement in Mrs. Peters' condition. It is a great delight to us all. I know she will be interested to hear that Mrs. White has been in Wheeling the last week with our daughter, who gave us Saturday night, a grand- daughter. with personal regards, I am Sincerely yours, Ellsworth, Maine, March 17, 1924. Mr. George L. Stebbins, 0/0 Duncan Candler, 753 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Dear Mr. Stebbins:- I am home for this week. Was glad to get yours of the 15th. I became very actively interested in this Park matter a couple of weeks ago. Bone of the boys down to Bar Harbor were getting it on the wrong track and were getting into a row with Senator Hale about it and took a very belligerent stand in other lines, especially as to Pepper and his presiding at the State Convention April 3. I Boothed them somewhat and got wiser and older heads at work on them and in a way took charge of one line of activity which was to see if we couldn't get both Hale and Pepper to co-operate with us. I took the atand with them, especially with Hale, that there would be no question about their being with us if they unde: r- stood the situation. I didn't even mention to Hale that I knew that he had any other feeling. He responded to that treatment quickly and presently wrote me that he would see Pepper and see if he couldn't arrange everything satisfactorily. The next thing was a letter from Pepper to Kimball, the latter had written a fool letter to Pepper, which I didn't see, but he evidently laid himself wide open by saying we wanted a road because it would give employment while building it to local men. Senator Pepper Bent me a copy of his letter to Kimball because Hale had been to him with my letters to Hale, which, by the way, were adapted for Pepper to read and I suspected that he might see them. I at once wrote a letter to Pepper after consulting with the others, ie, Deasy, Dorr, A. H. Lynam, Torrey and others. They G. L. S. -2- approved of my theory and this letter which was sent to Pepper from Boston by me last Wednesday is the last thing heard by way of writing and I am momentarily expecting an answer. This will give you a good idea of our present position except for the following which has occurred since the letter. Being in Portland Friday last, Robert Hale, a son of Judge Hale (retired United States Judge at Portland whom I succeeded) came in to see me. He had just returned from Washington and H conference with his uncle, Senator Hale, and Pepper. Senator Hale was all stirred up about the situation here. Pepper had notified him that he would not come and speak at our State Convention as planned. Hale had induced him to re-consider until he could hear from me again. I then showed Robert the letter I had written Pepper. Robert said that he thought that would settle the matter; that as he understood Pepper's attitude, he did not so seriously object to the completion of the links of road in the weatern section, saying that they were BO far along that it was use1eas to try to stop them, but that his principal objection was to the possibility of more roads in the Bubble Pond Valley. Of course I had covered this in my letter to some extent and met his position and tried to agree with him in his letter to Kimball but realizing after I talked with Robert that this was more important than I supposed, I called a meeting yesterday here of Dorr, Densy, A. H. Lynam and Torrey with a view to seeing just what we felt we could Bay in regard to other roads in the Bubble Pond Valley not on Government land but on Reservation land. I am enclosing you a plan which goes with my letter to Pepper and with this letter so that you and the lawyer who will go down to represent the Company (whose name you did not make perfectly clear to me) may understand more fully. I realize that Pepper will probably any that the agreement to have no more roads in the Park in the Valley in of no account because the land there 10 owned by Public Reservations and they may build all the roads they want to and turn it over to the Park later so to meet that we perhaps should say to him that 80 far as we can control the actions of the Reservations people, three of us being directors, we will undertake that no new roads shall be built by the Bubble Pond Valley, it being understood that this will not prevent the repair, completion and putting in good condition eventually of the rough road now running through there, being the continuation of the Boyd rond roughly put through by Morrell and Cuyler some years ago to join the Martin Roberts road at the north. We regard this and speak of it properly as an existing road which is a pretty good rodd north of there and to some extent in the Boyd road but roughly put through in the valley. Teams of horses have gone over there, however, and we can properly speak of it as an existing rough road. so L. S. -3- We shall not Bay anything about this to Pepper until we get his letter. If he makes the point we expect him to we are going to suggest a compromise on the whole business, he to give up his objection to the plan of Park roads and we to agree 30 far as we have authority to that no more roads shall be built through the valley, leaving this rough road to be used and repaired later on. This is what Dorr says is all he needs and M11 Mr. R. would need in his opinion. In fact, 1 € in just what is necessary and all that is necessary. It does apparently eliminate the road shown on the plan enclosed which skirte around the Bark land so far as it goes on Public Reservations land, but that is only in a very small place, near the jog in the eastern side of the Park south of Pemetic Mt. Most all that road to the Bouth in all on private land and of course is entirely eliminated from any negotiations. You may, however, think this is not much of a compromise for Pepper. Of course really he inn't getting very much but he may think he is because I imagine he has the idea that many more roads are contemplated than really are and also I think he must be willing to be let down easy in this matter because the opposition to his B t and is tremendous. You will observe in his letter to Kimball he now takes the position that he is in favor of the automobile roads. That will surprise some Of his adherers who went with him because they supposed he was against automobile roads, but while They says he in shifty, I think he tooclever to be obviously shifty and I think they have mis- understood his position somewhat. However, I have nailed him on being in favor of the automobile roads as you will see by me letter, which ought to be the basis of the theory of the hearing. I am glad we got his letter because it would have been a surprise if he had come into the hearing and favored the automobile roads. Of course his attitude is HB much opposed to the automobile roads as it would be if he direct- ly fought them because if he continued to fight the other roads we perhaps could not hope to get the automobile roads being SO generously built by private subscriptions. We are hopeful through what we know of Pepper's present attitude that we can Bettle this matter or at least reduce his op- position to a point where we can easily drive him out at the hearing. We are waiting everything until we can hear from Pepper. If it is favorable there won't have to be much of a meeting. I note what you say about my going down. I don't know whether it will be possible or not. Of course I shall do everything that I humanly can 1n the matter appreciating as we do the great generosity of Mr. R, and the tremendous benefit the whole public is getting from it and we would all sacrifice most anything to help his plans in the matter but it is more or less in the air until we hear from Pepper. I will keep you in touch with the situation. Yours very truly, [John A. Peters, 4. P. S. Thin letter should be strictly confidential except that if you think it necessary you can show it to the lawyer who will represent the Seal Harbor Realty Company at the hearing. The reason I mention this is because Mr. Dorr, as you know, represents the interests which are behind the large project which includes these ronda and he is in active management of the whole al stuntion and I should want him to bring 011 such matters to the attention of his associates and principals in his own way, use this letter or anything of the kind if he wants to and I should not want to do anything to interfero with him. I think you will appreciate the situation. [.A. Peters] Dear 9.13 13 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LAFAYETTE NATIONAL PARK BAR HARBOR, MAINE OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT March 18, 1924. Dear President Eliot: I have been working my hardest to get away and be present at the great ceremony in your honor on Thursday at Harvard, but organizing the committee to go on from Maine to Washington to defend the Park construction program at the hearing next Wednesday seems likely now to make it impossible. If I do not come, I shall be present in spirit. Our friendship has been a pleasure, an encouragement and an inspiration to me these last twenty years, and one of my most valued and valuable possessions. With best greetings for the coming anniversary and with true affection, I am Sincerely yours, ang B. Word Copy in Page 1 of 10. C.W.Eliot Papers. 0.95 Harbad U. Archives March 19, 1924. Dear Mr. Cromell: I enclose you some papers which I hope you will take time to go over carefully -- making your own commonts on them - before you como on to Washington. Included in them are cuttings from the Island newspaper, the Bar Harbor Times, two taken from the issues of March 5th and 12th, which represent the situation as I see it. A third from the issue just published contains copy of a letter which the Governor of the State, who has taken the matter up warrily, has just forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior, sending me copy. with this I had nothing to do, only receiving copy of it myself yesterday morning and turning it over, as I WEB authorized, to the editor to print. The Governor is sending the Hon. Willis E. Parsons, State Comissioner of Inland Fisheries and Grime, on to pepre ent him officially at the hearing) he would have coms on himself had 1t been possible. The President of the University of Maine, Dr. Clarence C. Little, has taken the matter up warnly,also, and, putting aside other engagonente, in going to the henring end will spork at it, as will Mr. Persons. Dr. Attle will represent the educational value of the Woodlown Hoselen A-60 2. CoC. work which we are doing and Mr. Parsons the importance of our plan for the Park as sanctuary and for fire protection. Dr. Phillips of Southwest Harbor, a member of the State Legislature, is going to represent that town, and Chauncey D. Joy, who is now working under me on the bridle path and driving road within the Park, and for Mr. Rockefoller on the connecting one outside, will go to represent the native element in his district and tell about construction. From Bar Harbor, Mr. Fred C. Lynnia, vice-pronident of the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Society, who last swamer - there being an interreganna in the presidency -- appointed Harold Peabody as chairman of the path committee, after consulting me in rogard to it, neither of us droaming from the position he then took of his antagonism to the Park development. And Mr. Clarence E. Dow, who has been chairman for three years of the Selection's Board of Ber Harbor, until the last when he declined to rum again, and who is now president of the Ber Harbor Board of Trade, is going on to repre-ent the Board and Town. From Bangor, Mr. Oliver L. Hall, a former resident of Bar Harbor and editor and part owner of the Bangor Daily Commercial, who Woodlawn A-60 S. L.C. has taken the matter up with great interest, in going and will speak on behalf of the Interest of the public, while the Lowiston Journal is sending its chief city editor, Mr. Sam Z. Conner, to represent the wider interest of the State in the Park and in the plans for its development. The women of the State will be represented by lbs. Huddilston of Ozono, a recent past president of the Maine Federation of Women's Clubs. Mrs. Raddilston having visited the Park last summer when the State Federation held its throc-day annual session hero RE guests of the Island Federation, in deeply interested and feels strongly on the subject. She will bear n letter from the Federation president, Mrs. Florence Wough Denforth of Skowhegan, to be read at the hearing. And there will be a few more, representing the Maine Automobile Association and other associations or public bodies - about n dozen besides wyself in all. Some of these will thomsolven boar the expense of the journey to Washington, out of their interest in the matter! others will have their travelling expenses paid out of 8 small but sufficient fund that I have reised in subscription, the subscriptions ranging from five dollars upward. No one is employed to represent 118. Wood! dewn. A-60 4 LeC. Senator Hole's affiliations with Senator Popper, in whose old-guard, reactionary group he has Cound his niche along with Senators Lodge and Smoot and others, and his consequent reluctance to opposo him in what be believed was a small matter from the political angle, has naturally brought it into State Republican politics, and Judge Peters, who is friendly to the Park but still noro interested in State politics, has sought to bring no into it, to straighten out the tangle they have made, but I have stendily refused to be drawn in or take any hand in the political situation. I have taken the matter up only from its importing ce to the public and to conservation. Mr. Loron E. Kimball who introducod himself uninvited at a meeting held at Ellsworth at which Judge Dessy, Judgo Petera and a number more were present, went off and wrote to Sonator Pepper, though naked to keep out of it, urging the continuence of the work on the wholly Histaken ground of the benefit it was to working people on the Island. This gave Senator Pepper, as Judge Peters stated, in telling 230 about It, the opportunity he wanted and he soised it to write the letter of which I Woodlawn.A.60 5 Late enclose you copy. It is not private, since he forwarded 1t to Judge Peters, with no request for privacy, as a statement of his attitudo, and Judge Peters gave me copy. In the commencement, as you will ace, he tekcas high ground that no local considerations should enter into consideration of plane for a nitional park's development. This is quito right, if the two conflict, but equally it cuts out, along with the working mon, the summer resident whom personally I should wish to consider oven at some sacrifico to e large/public -- as In the cast of camping grounds, etceters. As the letter goes on, Senator Pepper works himself up apparently into an angry state and indirectly threatons that the present feeling about oil, created by the Dohony-Fall- Sinclair investigations, rany be used as a bose for attack on Mr. Rockefoller. with regard to his attack on what he calls a "network of roads", the "network" no far as it exists lies wholly on Mr. Rockefoller's own land, being built primarily for his own, for his children's and his friends' and neighbors' 1100 at Seal Herber and Northeast Harbor, for Waddawn. A-66 6 L.O. riding and driving after the town roads had been made dangerous by motors. All that we and the National Park Service have planned is n single road encircling the combined 11888 of Sargent, Jordan, Codar Swemp and Little Brown's Mountains, without duplication at any point. with the exception of n single section not three-quarter of a mile on length on the southern front this driving road around the mountain, which has been the point of Senator Pepper's real attack, is now, so for as it lies on the National Park land, either completed OZ under constructin. In Senator Peppor's letter to Mr. Kimball, confirmed by another to Judge Peters, he states, as you will see, that there should be motor roads, though few, and bridle paths, an well as foot paths for the development of the Park. And, without melnowledgement, he adopts our survey for the motor rond in toto, but would cut off the funds obtained in contribution which are enabling us to build the motor road by blocking construction of the driving road which was associated with it in the Goverment's approval and, Miah, relying on the good faith of the Government in its approval, these contributions were secured. Woodlawn A-60 7 L.C. There the bridle paths should to 1.0 not where we have planned, be does not state, but no other poute than the one adopted can be devised that would give such unity of control and exhibition to the Nati mal Pnak area. The difference secres to reduce itself, recordingly, to S questi 25 or whether this bridle path, whom existence 1st principle though not in route Senator Popper endorsen, should be built wide enough for two light, horno-drewn vehicles to pass or should be reduced to a nine foot width, which is what I understand Secretary oric staten n bridle path, if bridle path nlone, should be. S nator Pepper's letter, though no privacy was requested for st, in not a pleasant one in his reference to Mr. Rockefoller and I have kept it from ublication. In his attitude about motor roads, he has charactoristically, as you will notice, Mirrow over without hesitation the people associated with him in his first attack, who wished to defent, or at least to divort, the motor road. Woodlan A-60 8 L.C. (Lator) Since I wrote this morning Judge Poters has received, and telephoned to Mr. Lynan's office whoze a stonographer tools 1 t down, a accond letter from Sonator Popper, answoring one that Judge Peters wrote him, endosvor- ing to smooth matters out and enclosing him as surveyor's map showing exactly the National Park bounds in relation to the work approved and unde : construction, and the connections for Park approach and entrance now built OF planned. An ugly spirit shows 1tself again in this letter, in which, however, the attack is riado on mo, as Park suporIntendent, ruthor than on Mr. Rocksfollor against whom, how ver, it really is directed. Senator Pepper charges no with having "adroitly slipped through", without or sultation or authority, the work which I am doing. and with carrying out by underhand and socret methods schemen I avoided statin, openly. 200 answer to this liest (1) in the authority for construction which I received in writing in July, 1922, from the National Park Service and have nois on file, for carrying out the work I have boon doing and an nou engaged upon. Woodlawn. A-60 9 L.C. (2) In the blueprint signed by both the Acting Director of the National Park Service, Mr. Commerce, and the Assistant Secretary of the Interior in charge of Parks, Judge Finney, showing exactly what work and no other, I was authorized to do, which han not been deviated from at any point or exceeded by a single foot - as the approved surveys which H have on record chow. (3) In the report made by the Acting Director of the National Park Service, Mr. Cummer, to the Director, Mr. Mather, after a week's personal study of those surveys in June, 1922, when he cause to Ber Harbor with Mr. Mather for the purpose, and was commissioned by him to remin and make a personal and detailed study of the euroyeys prepared. (4) In the request from the Service that I refrain from detailed discussion of the plan approved until I had secured by gift the mdditional Blinds necessary to the plan. (5) In the authority given me to sock pledges for construction costs front private SOUPOOS on the basis of the plan authorized, and to expend the money so obtained, there being no Federal appropriation for such work. The ourvey authorized, shown on duplicate blue Woodleun-1-60 10 L.C. prints signed by Mr. Commerce, as Acting Director for the National Park Service, and by hasistant See ethro of the Interior Finney, for the Department of the Interior was lodged In one copy in the National Park Service files, in the other at Bar Harbor in the office of the super Intendent, for his guidance; nor was authority for it Siven until the National Park Service had received, in writing, approval of it from the Hon. John E. Nelson, Representative from this District and from Senator Halo and Senator Fornald, representing the State at largo. No alteration or deviation from that recorded plan has been made at any time, and none is contemplated or desired. The study which resulted in the plan was long and thorough, lasting over 11 your with competent surveyors in the field, and it was Intended to bo final. On that plan the contributions made for construction were given. The work it contemplated, on motor road and driving road, is now largely done. To arrest it would be to leave a wreckage of incomplete and fruitless work, disfiguring the Pick and proso:ving indefinitely the memory of the attack now made on the National Park Service road- building program for the Park's development. Wood lown A-60 Ellsworth, Maine, March 19, 1924. Mr. George L. Stebbins, 753 Fifth Avenue, New York City, N. Y. Dear Mr. Stebbins:- This morning an answer to my letter came from Pepper. I telephoned it to Bar Harbor and they will send you a copy from there on this mail. I am enclosing you a copy of my reply. I fully understand the situation you speak of in regard to Mr. Dorr. I have also talked it over with Judge Deany. It is not probable that either of 118 will be able to go but we are doing everything we gan in P. preliminary way. I hope to get the thing pretty well straightened out with Fred Hale and to some extent with Pepper. At any rate, we know his position and that is a whole lot. Of course he is supposed to be the backbone of the opposition. I shall suggest to Mr. DQrr end the others that Deasy and I each write a letter to the Secretary to be used in a brief way instead of our testimony; also I have suggested that we have a meeting here this week of some of the Bar Harbor people, including Deasy and myself and map out the situation in a way partly to take care of this very matter of Mr. Dorr. Fred Lynam is going as the head of the Delegation, Chair- -3- nan of the Committee, and he is a most excellent man. He has good judgment and understands the situation and in able to present it. We had thought of this before and Deasy and I had agreed that Fred Lynam WBS the best man to EO. In a way, the fewer lawyers you have in the matter the better, 60 it won' t look like a paid lawyers' hearing. Nelson will conduct the case as a representative of this district in Congress. Au a matter of fact, he is a very able lawyer and will quickly catch onto all the necessary details. I have also written all the others in the Delegation and they are actively interested. I do not refer specially in this to Senator Hale who is not quite AO actively interested, but he in really obliged to be on our side and I have no doubt will be. We also feel that it is very fortunate that you are able to be there and able to go to the hearing. I think you will be fully as effective and perhaps more BO than Lynam because you are sort of a mixture of non-resident and native and can understand and present both points of view. I asked Harry Lynam this morning what people would be there to oppose the automobile road which Pepper now favors and he said that Harold Peabody would be there with a few others but he ought to be squelched very easily. This man, Pepper, is the only one we are afraid of because the Depart- ment is so much afraid of him, as is evident from the fact that he had this plan held up in this way. 3- I suppose that everybody will have in mind the point that the burden of proof in on the objectors to this thing. The plan having been approved and partially executed it is held at the request of people who object and they should be obliged to come forward first and show their whole hand. Your lawyer will appreciate this and you also. I think the thing is going pretty well. You will see by my answer to Pepper's letter how I look at his suggestions Will also send you a copy of my letter to the Secretary if it is thought best to have it written. Yours very truly, [J.A. Peters] Ellsworth, Maine, March 19, 1924. Hon. John E. Nelson, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. Dear Nelson:- There will be sent you in this mail from Bar Harbor, a copy of Pepper's reply to my letter and I will send in this, copy of my reply to him, so you will see the situation. The Delegation from this section will be in Washington Monday so 8.13 to have plenty of time Tuesday to get you in touch with the situation. I have told them that a lawyer of your experience is able to take on information rapidly and assimilate it for the purpose of a hearing. This is one of the most important matters that has occurred in this District Rince I entered Congress in 1913. There is more interest in the matter by far than in anything else that has touched our Washington Delegation. I think it is going along all right but it would be a very serious thing if it should be otherwise. You will have very fine assistance. Fred C. Lynam, head of the Banking & Trust Company of Bar Harbor, will be there B.B Chairman of the Committee in this section. George L. Stebbins, a voter in Seal Harbor and for twenty-five years has been agent for the Seal Harbor Realty Company and in close touch with all the Bunner residents there, he, himself, being a summer resident who came down to manage the prope rty of Mr. Cookney and others years alzo, will also be there. You oan count on these two men to be able to present the matter intelligently and clear- ly as witnesses and they are representative citizens. Stebbins also represents the large ranss of non-residenta in his section. Of course many other people will be there representing many different interests but I want to call your special attention to the fact that you can rely most on these two men for help. sic Mr. Door whose life is bound up in this work, knows more about it than anybody else but he must be handled with care. He is so earnest and rather discursive that if allowed free rein, he would take 500 Long and go beyond the important sub jeot, but of course he is invaluable for certain purposes. I am sorry I cannot go on but it in impossible and Judge Densy can' t go either -3- because he has a consultation in Augusta Tuesday, but we will both write letters if thought advisable. You will find Harry Lynam (A. H. Lynam) very servicable and knows all about the details but you had better not use him as a witness because he is the attorney for Mr. Rockefeller locally and we want to keep that part of it out of sight so far as possible. Mr. Stebbins is going to bring down from New York with him B. lawyer named Debevoise, who will be valuable for anything you want and who will especially represent the Seal Harbor Realty Company, which is is Company that I au intereated in both 8B stockholder and director and which owns practically all the un- improved land in Seal Harbor and vicinity, as well 88 several large cottages and other improvements there situated. The Company and its owners represent a pretty broad interest in that vicinity. Mr. Rockefeller 18 one of the stockholders but not a director. It might be well to bear in mind that other atockholders outside of that locality are Merritt Ober, Town Treasurer of Mount Desert, Dr. A. C. Hagerthy of Ellsworth, the estate of the late Judge King of Ellsworth, myself, outside of the summer residente of the southern part of the Island. These are just points that occur to me at the present writing for your use in connection with the other matters. Yours very truly, Dup. Copy in C.W.Eliot Papers.B.9 H.U.A. Elleworth, Maine, March 19, 1924. Ron. George tharton Papper, United States senate. bachington, D. C. Dear benctor Pupper:- I am very much obliged to you for your letter of the 17th. which, I think, helps clear up the situation. As I said before. We have the some object in view, to rit, the best interest of the public st large, and the only question is is to we best way of achieving it. 3 2020 worry that you think the roed arount the urgent-Jordan Mountain truet, a mistako. If 16 is a mintake 11 was made about two years AGO when the road were 1610 out un- der the direct supervision of the National riski Service and the work progressed too for and too muc): money has been arent on 11. now, in ay opinion, to make it foundible to abandon 11 and 1 think What you will finally agree with 100 in that proposition, especially in view of the tach, shiet I tries to emphasize before, Wet this roudie com letion 1 is oo bound up with tic completion or the automobile roade that we are 80 anxious for that we can't drop one without dropping both. 3 de not think at could be fousible, and certainly not just to the people of Mine so greatly interested in 22118 matter, to DOW at this day leave the question all to whether the purtly finished road should be completed to any outside body appointed by the Secretary or otherwise. The location of this Fond in the western acction was examined and approved by the offácials of the Purk service who case down here in person and went over the route. suggested some oranges, and the road 78a built, or is being built, exactly as 1414 out by then. The Dian comprehending thene two road systems was also approves and supportes in writing by Senator Hale and Fernald and Representative Helson in 1988. I take 11 the only object in referring it to another body would be to inform the Secretary as to the dexirability or otherwise of completing the road, which is just what this hearing next Eddresstry is to be for and, es I understand it, there will be precent st the Hearing everybody competent to advise the Secretary and supply him with a complete source or information on every subject bearing upon the matter. The Secretary ORD really get more information from the people who will be present at that meeting than he could possibly get from any commission he might appoint. Besides, that, or course, 1t is highly important that the matter be settled now. -2- 3/19/24 Personally, however, I quite endorce your suggestion that in the future un advisory body might be ereated to study 6-0 make in the mutter of any future course, although the faut should not be lost sight of that the people in the Furk Service are the ones provided for that purpose and the Secretary of the Interior at any time can 0311 upon anybody at anytime for advice or suggestions. I do think, however, UT L in the future it Touli be wise to have full 00-operation ao is the possible by all interested persons and I for one shall atrive to bring that about. I Delieve I have Intely been trus g one of The illecture of the Trustees of Public Reservations, he to your integration about the Eugis Fond route, you are already were that that road goos In Wis place you desire 15, that in along the kestern biano or imatic Mountain, I notice you suggest, horever, sb this automobile roya ought not to touch Bubble Ponit anywhere, that it any be Infi STATE open Sur the use of residents, pedestrians and swimmers". The Butomobile road is Already built in that nection uni does st one point, before it awarves off to the soutward, very nearly touch this pond. This in necessary owing to the surface of the earth in this locality. The road dould not have been carried through any other course on mocount of 4 revine in that vicinity: It 10 not desirable what this sead bit used for the purposes you mention, in fact this purpose is prohibited because that pund is is source of the vater supply for Bsr Barbar running into Sagle Lake and both Laken we protected from compers, swimmers, etc., by regul Liona authorized by in in this state. the all appreciate the fact that there wri nome people, faw in number, who are opposed to Chin autonobile 2010 nyb tom and do not >gree with you and me that it in necessary, are e matter of fact, practically expedient for the Des use or Like Park by the public, and very likely DONE of those people may be at the hearing, but their objections are entirely welfish. They don't want automobiles in their immediate vicinity. That matter WAS fought out and taken care of by the 10ginInture of this State more than ten years ago ani you and 1 know the public will come to this Varia in automobiles in great numbers and that in about the only way they will adas and if they do not have these automobile reada Where will be # riot, so that opposition really cannot stand for a moment. to here, knowing the value of your support and believing that we munt to accomplish the name things, will appreciate it highly if you would GO to the hearing next Tednesday and state your position, being in favor of the automobile roade on planned and, if I understand it correctly, that write you atill consider that en error was made originally in planning the section of roud in the western part, that it could be unwice not to finish it at the present time, it having been DO nearly completed, and further that in your opinion an advisory body should be arranged for in the future to assist the authorities in the matter of any future rosda C.I.P. -3- 3/19/24 There might be some difference of opinion about this latter matter and other may not feel as I do, that there would he no objection to such a body. That matter could be handled in the future. The principal thing now is not to have this plan of road building stopped. If it is stopped it would be a very serious thing for us in this locality and will interfere and perhaps kill the building of these roads which we both believe are necessary. Permit me to say that you must not for a moment con- sider declining to come to the State Convention. The Republicans are expecting you and count upon your being here. They have E very high regard for you and there is not E. reason in the world why a slight misunderstanding concerning this Park should change your attitude or cause any embarrasement, It would be a good deal more embarrassing if you did not come than if you came, There is of course EL widespread interest in this road building plan for the Park, especially in the automobile roads, which you favor 8.8 T/E all do. There was at first a misunderstanding about your position but that is being corrected and by the time we have the State Convention here, with this meeting next Wednesday behind us, everything will be perfectly harmonious and I cannot urge you too strongly not to disappoint us on that occasion. With kind regards, I am Very truly yours, J.A.P. [John A Peters] Woodbren-A-6 copy UNITED STATES COURTS, Judge's Chambers. Portland, Maine. Ellsworth, Maine, March 20, 1924. The Honorable Herbert Work, Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Secretary:- - The land for Lafayette Park was given by public spirited citizens for the use and benefit of the people. Legisla- tion which I assisted in passing, when representing this section of the state in Congress, was intended to insure forever the widest use by the public, consistent with an intelligent management and development of the Park property. As the establishment of this great Park was due almost wholly to the unequaled public spirit and tireless efforts of George B. Dorr, the people here in close touch with the situation regarded his designation by your Department as local director not only a proper recognition of his activity and interest, but as a guaranty that the purposes for which the Park was established would be carried out in the broadest and most intelligent way. The value and usefulness of this Park depend up- on its accessibility. The mountains have been there a long time but heretofore only a few favored with leisure, lungs and legs have been able to enjoy their beauties. In 1922, after careful study by your splendid Park Bureau, a limited system of roads was laid out comprising a horse and foot road in the western section, being substantially one road around the mountains, and two automobile roads in the Green Mountain, eastern section. The location and purpose of these roads were well understood by the people here and when the plan received the official approval of your Department and the endorsement of our two Senators and our Representative in Congress, we felt that a highly important and desirable step in the right direction had been taken. Coincidentally with this action Mr. Dorr was authorized by your Department to obtain, if possible, subscriptions from interested citizens to carry out the plan. Substantial aid was obtained by him and the work of building actively entered upon by your authority and approval, and, during the last two years much of the work has been completed in a highly satisfactory manner and is in a fair way to be finished in the near future. -2- 3/20-24. It was something of a shock to the people of this vicinity, a few months ago, to learn that notice had been given of a hearing before you to consider the feasibility of continuing the building program previously agreed upon. Frankly, we consider that the good faith of the Government is involved. No private individual could and no Government should get money on the strength of representations and plans and refuse to carry out the contract in its entirety. The interest of the people who will be the greatest users of this Park, whose attitude and wishes I well know, demand that nothing be done to jeopardize the completion of these roads which are built without expense to the Government. It may be that the course or character of the roads where not completed can be advantageously changed in details, al- though I doubt it; but if anybody comes forward with such a proposition the burden is on him to satisfy you that the change is wise and that it can be financed. I do not consider the possibility of your discontinuing the whole plan, which would be a clear breach of faith with the subscribers and with the public; but urge that any suggested change should be considered by you not only on its merits but with a view to its practical effect on the situation including the present opportunity of having the Government plans carried out at private expense. It is also very important, in my opinion, that the con- troversy,- - if it amounts to that when nearly everybody is on one side, - should be settled now when every opportunity of obtaining information and views will be available to you at the hearing, - which I greatly regret public business will prevent my attending. Yours very truly, JOHN A. PETERS ANPA Sawtelle call. 849 f a THE NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION 1512 H STREET NORTHWEST WASHINGTON, D. C. President HERBERT HOOVER Vice-Presidents NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER JOHN MASON CLARKE March 20, 1924. CHARLES LAWRENCE HUTCHINSON WILLIAM KENT JOHN BARTON PAYNE Treasurer Mr. William Otis Sawtelle, CHARLES J. BELL PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN SECURITY University Club, & TRUST COMPANY OF WASHINGTON 1510 Walnut Street, Executive Secretary Philadelphia, Penna. ROBERT STERLING YARD Dear Mr. Sawtelle: Executive Committee You are entered at the Cosmos Club for a rocam HERBERT HOOVER LEILA MECHLIN on the 26th. At the station, take the Mt. Pleasant JOHN BARTON PAYNE CHARLES D. WALCOTT car and get out at Vermont Avenue and H Sts., which ROBERT STERLING YARD stop is directly opposite the Club. Trustees THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND Sincerely yours, TRUMAN ABBE ARTHUR EUGENE BESTOR GEORGE F. BOWERMAN ROBERT S. BROOKINGS Executive Secretary your HENRY GRIER BRYANT THOMAS BURKE JOHN B. BURNHAM WILLIAM E. COLBY H. W. DE FOREST LEONIDAS DENNIS CHARLES W. ELIOT FREDERIC ERNEST FARRINGTON J. WALTER FEWKES JOHN H. FINLEY P.S.: A half dozen copies of the Lafayette report are WILLIAM C. GREGG being sent to you at Haverford. GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL GEORGE F. KUNZ IRWIN LAUGHLIN A. LAWRENCE LOWELL HELEN NICOLAY EDMUND SEYMOUR CHARLES SHELDEN MRS. JOHN DICKINSON SHERMAN GEORGE SHIRAS, 3RD HENRY BALDWIN WARD The History TRUST archive Dea only Rec Ennorth, Maine, March 20th 1934. Hon. Herbert Work, Hon Baczetary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. Abd My dear Hr. Secrotary:- A court amailan will prevon's my attendence 10 the Pink hearing March 26th. I eth deoply interested in the Lafsyette National Park. From my birth my home and always been within with of ita hills. 1 - 2 Under Dr. Charles W. Eliot President, I an officer of the public corporation that through many 11850, devines and purchasea searced title to the Prink and presented is to the Federal Government. I was much You gratified when your the into Secretary Lane, visited and inspected the Park and again leter when I BILL the plan of Pack roads approved, nitor careful commission, by the Park Service. Thann offi- einily approved rondo extund but a few miles through can thousand norea Vie of Durk land. They are however admirably planned ao 80 to afford protection tto the Park and to make none of itn beauties accessible to the great major- 1 ty of un who from nequasity or choice NIC not mountain climbers. I 413.3 aspecially planned when George B. Dorr unu appointed custolian of the Park and civen charge of ito ronda. In public apirit, enthualmum, anethy and insugrity Mr. Dorr in ented by all who know him at one hundred pe% cent. Mr. Dorr will given explicit authority by the Park Service to rnina money from privise courded, and to proceed with the road construd- tion. This, without compensation or possibility of personal benefit, he proceeded to do. From generous and public spirited citizens he secured Large contributions and has curried on the work precisely, I believe, in addressing wish the officially approved plan. A obort time age I lonened with astonialment that share VITA opposition 20 the continuance or the work on the rondo no officially planned and from dolar sourden opposition to 11 Park rouds. I believe shut BOND purs of all public parko should be middle processible to the public. Thin the opposition any 10 sn erronoous theory. Objections from 80160 Bourges 8° only to details, Whether in respect to detallo any monification would improve the plan should of course be carefully considered, though to my wind no voilfication that hns been succested 19 necessary or desirable. I are autu the opporition to the road building plan as a whole 10 confined to a very, vary nishll fractions1 part of the persons familier with, and intermed 1. the Park, and while minders in not in the internat of the public. M Verry sincerely yours, Cleans, Luere B. Deasy to Hubert Work Letter, March 20, 1924 Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association https://historytrust.net/digitalarchive/find?query=Deasy&view=4 1/5 Ellsworth, Maine, March 20, 1924. Hon. Frederick Hale, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. Dear Fred:- I this morning have youre of the 18th with Mahoney's letter to you. Evidently he does not understand the situation at all. I will see him this morning and straighten that out with him. There was a slight mnisunderstanding at the start among Bone of the Bar Harbor people BUG to your attitude but I thought I hiad fully taken care of that. You can point to the records in the Interior Department, as I have been, where in 1922 you and Fernald and Nelson each endorsed and approved this plan of road building and you have consistently helped every Bince, end especially in helping take care of the objections of Senator Pepper which were based partly on 8. misunderstanding. You will, of course, be at the hearing before the Interior Department Wednesday and continué to endorse the same plan RB practically everybody now does and that hearing ought to result in clearing 1233 the whole situation, if there is anythingt to clear up. There 1a no doubt of course but what this plan will be continued and the roads finished and when that is done everybody will be happy and forget any temporary disagreement. T yesterday sent you copies of Pepper's letter to me and my reply. I will Bend you copies of my letter to the Secretary of the Interior today or to-morrow. I can't be there so I am going to visite him. Just assoon as thin hearing is over and satisfactorily ended the newspapers will be full of it and they will be full of the fnot that you were present and assisted in carrying it through. We will see to that down here. We will clean up everything. Yours very truly, [J.A. Peters] Elloworth, Maine, Maroh 21, 1924. Mr. George L. Stebbino, 753 Fifth Avenue, c/o Duncan Candler, New York City, N. Y. Deas Mr. Stebbina:- I have your letter of the 19th. I enclose you copy of my letter to the Secretary of the Interior which I have Bent to Harry Lynam to have 115 the hearing and also copy of letter from Judge Denny to be the Baine way. I think you now have pretty much everything in hand, 12.2.2 of which you can show to Mr. Debevoise. By the way, Senator Fernald 1 13 up Alok and I have written a lotter for 11.1m to Bign at his requent and I enclose copy of that nloo. I think the china to do now 1 " to Quil off the opposition as much na possible. I BIN very glad you have in a way taken onre of Mr. Luquer. I understand that Frank Rowell of Ber Harbor han Bome notion of going down to Washington. He is an old friend of my family and WBS assisted nome by them 111 college before he married this righ women. I have wtttten him at 470 Park Avenue, New York, to such tilotics nnd kepp away from Washington. I don't know whether he will or not and I will also now that I know he is in New York write 11110 so go and nee you and got some information [ro] which will give you 13 chance, turn him off. I think he can be turned off very easily, especially when no known that Senator Pepper in in favor of the automobile rondo. Yourn truly, [John A. Peters] Woodlawn A-60 most Cambridge, Mass., Clary. 22 March 1924 Dear Mr. Secretary: Your kind reply dated February 4th to my letter to you of February 1, 1924, encourages no to write to you again about the Hearing you are to give next Wednesday to the persons intorested in the development of the Lafayette National Park among whom you have horotofore supposed that divergent opinions concerning the management of the Park and of the construction of roads therein are strongly held. At this Hearing I am sure you will find that the different parties are not "so far apart in their conclusions as appears from ex parte statements of each" a statement which I quote from your letter to ne of February 4th. There is one matter, however, closely connected with the subjects which will be discussed at that Hearing concerning which I want to tettify now before the Hearing, namely, the qual- ity and character of George B. Dorr, the present Superintendent of the Park. of course I do not know whether you propose or do not propose to ask Mr. Dorr to testify at the Hearing; but I do know that he will avoid speaking at the Hearing if he can properly do so, partly because he dislikes very much to talk even in private about his own qualities and achievements, and partly because he has been from his boyhood afflicted with a stammer which was orig- inally very pronounced and conspicuous, and still is, although he has acquired remarkable control over it. This stammer provents him from uttering a word for an appreciable time. 2 [1 have known him well for many years and his father and mother before him, and on the subject of the right develop- ment of the beauties of the Island of Mount Desert he and I have been in intimate relations for at loast thirty years. In the first place, Mr. Dorr is a man of extraordinary publie spirit. lle has spent nearly the whole of the considerable property which he inherited from his father and mother in efforts to obtain and hold parcels of land on the Island which he felt ought to be secured for public uses. He has given his tine and strength to undertakings for preserving the natural beauties of the Island as respects landscape combining mountains, forests, and sea and the vegetable and animal life native to the spot or imported and don- iciled there by man. He knows the Island itself and its present population as nobody else knows then. His plans for the future include not only the conservation of its ancient beauties in shrubs, flowers, and trees, but the addition of all forms of vegetable and animal life which can thrive on its various soils and its sub-arctic clinate. Finally Mr. Dorr is a man of the highest probity and the koenest sense of honor. He is incapable of any disloyalty to friend, employer, or official superior, or any disingenuousness towards critica or opponents. You are doubtless aware that the Superintendent of the Lafayette National Park has been working for two years past under the immediate direction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the National Park Service, and that he has conformed absolutely to the directions and plans given him by them. If any suggestion is made at the Hearing next Wednesday that a new suporvising body over the work dono by the Suporintend- ent 05 the Park be created, I very much hope that you will state 3 that in your judgment the supervision now exercised over the work going on in the Lafayette National Park is adequate to secure the development of the Park in accordance with the needs of the people of Maine and the nation at large. I am, with high regard, Sincerely yours [c. W.Eliot] Non. Hubert work 470 Park Avenue, New York City, March 24, 1924. Hon. John A. Peters, Ellsworth, Maine. Dear Mr. Peters : It was good of you to take 80 much thought in mak- ing plain to me the situation about the proposed roads on the island. Your explanation is reassuring and I have the comfort of feeling that we could discuss the whole business dispassionately. When the park was created, I rather distinctly understood that it would be a reservation for preserving the wild nature there; that it would be, as I think Mr. Dorr said, a " sanctuary ". It was on that basis that I was glad to buy land and build my house. The lumberman had been driven away and any form or commercial exploitation seemed un- likely. This later idea of a park as a playground to which all the rest of the country is invited has been disquieting. I have not de- sired exclusiveness for the sake of exclusiveness, but I have thought that the beauty that we sought to protect could not possibly survive the coming of large numbers and especially of the undisciplined kind. While that has been my personal opinion and even my prefer- ence, I have not for a moment felt that I should have my small pleasure while the larger number refrained from enjoying itself from an equally reasonable, though different, point of view. This issue of the roads has brought us to a definition of policies that was inevitable and that in the end will be helpful all round. I only regret if it has stirred up certain hostilities be- tween the year-round folk and the summer residents that always Beem only too ready to break out, when the extremists on both sides make all the rest of UB olf-conscious and unhappy. Three weeks ago, when the road-building was explained to me, I agreed with the people for whom Senator Pepper Was said to be spokes- man. I signed a certain petition putting our protest in form and I even sent out to New York people who are property holders in Bar Har- bor a letter explaining that position and asking for their support if they agreed. I may say, in the first place, that the plan of roade that I saw and which was the basis of my letter does not agree with the plan showed me to-day by Mr. Stebbins; but my plan was supposed to be the copy of one in existence but not made generally public. In the last three weeks, the whole matter seems to have taken on a different phase and I think that there has been a good deal of discussion at cross purposes. For myself, I have about concluded that, since we have the park, every policy must be considered from that Woodlawn Museum- A+60. 2 fact; that the sanctuary idea must be abandoned and the park for all- comera be accepted.] There may be less injury to the hills and woods on this basis than from private privilege which might at any time per- petrate something intolerable. I also find that, in DO far as have had responses to my circular, one-fifth agree with the point of view therein expressed and the majority is for the roads. In this majority are Mrs. Kennedy and her sister, one of Mrs. Kennedy's nieces, and persons like Mrs. Max Farrand. My seeing Mr. Stebbine this morning has also put a different aspect upon the matter, and the telegram from Mr. Pepper seems to me to take the ground from the opposition anyway. If Senator Pepper says that he misunderstood, all of us have misunderstood. I am not expecting to go to Washington. I do want to put in a plea that every effort be made to save the roads and the 1eland from any commercialization. I have seen the Mohawk Trail runbned by signe and gasoline stations, and finally by a cheap plaster oating place where once was the climax of the view. I have seen signs increase on the road from Bangor to Bar Harbor. May there be some absolute restrictions to this sort of thing on the is- land ! Let uo have such roads as are deemed necessary, but let ue confine them to a nature that 18 strictly unadorned. Always with warm regards, Sincerely yours, Form 1204 CLASS OF SERVICE SYMBOL WESTERN UNION CLASS OF SERVICE SYMBOL Telegram Telegram Day Letter Blue WESTERN Day Letter Blue Night Message Nite Night Message Nite Night Letter NL Night Letter NL If none of these three symbols appears after the check (number of TEL RAM If none of these Ihree symbols appears after the check (number of words) this is a telogram. Other- words) this is a telegram. Other- wise its character In indicated by the symbol appearing after the check NEWCOMB CARLTON. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. E. ATKINS, FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT wise its character is Indicated by the symbol appearing after the check. RECEIVED AT BLLSWORTH, 13RZ A 11 BN NEW YORK NY 1106PM MAR 24 1924 JOHN A PETERS MSELLSWORTH ME SAW ROWILL HE WITHDRAWSO INJECTION AND WILL NOT GO TO HEARING G L STEBBINS Woodlawn. A-60 135P To the Banatora entit luponintatives from Meine in the Congress:- We, citizens of Handoox County, this day nt Elleworth, conpectfully represent That the Interior Department how approved this building of certain rondo to open Lofoyotto Park to the publio; this one of thene ronda in under construction and one on effort 10 being mivin to induce the so forbit its completion. It 11 perhups not mitorial this anybody or, indeed, that nourly everybody, wanta the road completed. The material question in whether dit 10 a wine public improvement. Those conn1orntiona cana so anow that 11 1s B decirable public improvement: It linia been approved often exemination by reaponaible officiale of the Department repronenting the Government. Thoma opposed to it, though persona of higheat charactor, apark only for their own internate, opiniona ndi donires. About a hundred por cons of the peoplo whose homel nzo nest 1 t and who know MOUS about 19, believe that the rond is ponential for the bent 1100 of the Park. A very mma minority only of STrouiionto nro Builing That the rond be abandoned Without the road she soonio besution of the Perlia in- torior are naceaoible only so the unril musber who 12.70 inclined to and rible to walk through and glish over 1t. Thene benuting should be middle available to ell. Woodlaun A-bo When *11 the motito propoued and there will La only one uil. of HONA for every thouning morell of Park. These roada unreadable text hearaday so parateos plan Park from the of The perioda through whome public spirit and densted without to she Nation ballevo slout this road in necessary to 4120 Park's nonfulness. We prey shan you #121 uno your boat entervers to have the prement work which An bring onzrico on without to the - Go yo rnmons, continued and not abusioned. February 18, 1984. Bar Harbor, Is. 1. Donny (Judge Suprive Court) Itc. II. Whiting (County Assorney) Ellaworth, Southwoot Herbor, 14. 11. Arey (County commissioner) Southweat Harbor, J. D. Phillipo (Physician, Member of Logislature Northenas Horbor, L. IE. Kimball (Hotel proprietor) Southwest Harbor, L. E. Holmon B. H. Young (Poat Heatery Bur Harbor) Bar Harbor, Southwoot Barbor, J. E. Wnon (Bardine prohus) Bar Barbor, Guy IT. Torrey (Insurance) Best Herber, Irwing o. Cleant (Fich United B. II. Candage centractor) Deal Berber, L. To. Holison (mo rohent) Southwast Harbor, I. F. Unhoney (Clerk County) Ellsworth, John A. Potera (Judge 13. B. Cours) Eilworth, Drvid D. Rodick (Limyor) Bar Harbor, Harry L. Crabtruc (Judge Municipal Court) Elleworth, Stonington, Frod A. Terrey (Operator Stone Quarry) Stonington, Peroy T. Glerie (Laryor,member LoginInture) Brooklin, A. IC. Farmeorth (Formar pastbur Governor's Council) Bedgwich, Pozey Bargont, (Gense SonsSez) BAR HARBOR GIRLS PARK HEARING AT LEGION MEN GATHER MORE THA PLAYED FAST BALL WASHINGTON TODAY FOR BIG SMOKER PUPI Season Closes With Record of Six Matters of Vital Importance Under Nearly 100 Enjoy Informal Social Games Out of Eight: Miss Mayo Discussion There Upon Which Evening With Bright Program Honor Roll for G Was Fine Coach Capt. Eve- and Banquet Fine One: Desp National Park Road Develop- rize and Storms R lyn Stalford's Team All ment May Depend Stars, At big smoker at George Edwin Kirk Work Is Post, American Legion, held on Friday As the TIMES goes to press, March With a record of winning six games evening one of the most successful Schools in town e 26th, there is taking place in Washing- out of eight and with one of the two de- social gatherings of Legion men for a on March 21st and ton before the Secretary of the Depart- feats a loss by one point only, the Girls long time was enjoyed by more than absent and not tar ment of the Interior, Dr. Hubert| Basketball team of Bar Harbor/High has 90 men. months is of interes a hearing relative to the matter of con- class made a splendid season's record. The Everything was informal. Vice Com- Registration figu tinuance of road development in Lafay- then five girls coached by Miss Mona Mayo, mander Albion F. Sherman made a few Clara West, Grade ette National Park. in the Girls' Work Secretary of the Y. W. .A. remarks. John A and Norman Shaw Liscomb, Grades ves to and with Evelyn Stalford as captain have For the plan, which was approved in were there with some songs and some Linda Leland, Gra places. been at work since the early autumn 1922 and on which work has been done dancing and they need no description. Miss Mabel Chase eaders, when they organized and went into train- in the road development since and is Moore's orchestra played, as always, 119. In the Em d also ing. They have established a fine record still continuing to be done, a host of delightfully. Dr. Ells did some magic grades are: Mrs. A this year, one which may be used to Maine proponents will appear. and amusing slight of hand Clarence IV, 29; Miss Pauli fficult, establish a fine precedent one in which as Among them will be Fred C. Lynam Hodgkins danced, as always, making and IV, 25; Mrs ssible. the seasons pass it is hoped the commun- of Bar Harbor, vice-president of the an addition to the interest of the pro- Grade V, 24; Mrs lity is ity will take increasing interest. The Bar Harbor Village Improvement So- gram. The boys themselves sang all VI, 29; Miss Sue of the team this year was: Evelyn Stalford, ciety; President C. E. Dow of the Bar the new songs and some of the old ones, and VII, 28; Miss udges, Capt,; Marie Anderson, Manager; Lyda Harbor Board of Trade, Dr. J. D. singing them with heartiness whichbe- VII, 25; Mrs. G. ogram, Pettigrew, Helen Suminsby, Dorothy Phillips of Southwest Harbor, a state tokened both musical ability and real VIII, 27 Miss cher of Bracey, Gertrude Emery. senator; Chauncey D. Joy of Northeast enjoyment. Dr. Morrison regaled VIII, 26; total, 21 those The schedule follows: Harbor, prominent in all community the group with his usual ability at story- The attendance were December 14 at Bar Harbor-Franklin matters; Oliver L. Hall of Bangor, editor telling not absent in Mi earers. High School, score 50 to 2 in Bar Har- and part owner of the Bangor Commer- The evening may be said to have room: Charles H Evelyn bor's favor. cial, who knows Mount Desert as few centered in the table whereon was spread Donald Harris, P much: January 18 at astine-Castine Nor- newspaper men can; Sam E. Conner city a most delicious "Feed." Mrs. John Lyon, Marguerite nd be- mal School, score 19 to 16 in favor of Bar editor of the Lewiston Journal, who last Casey is too close to the hearts of all McLean, Alonzo M ing to Harbor. year wrote one of the best feature stories Legion men and their friends to need any Lionel Stewart, M fter 15 January 25 at Ellsworth-Ellsworth of Lafayette National Park after several more laurels but she received them Webber: not tar he dis- High School, 47 to 3 for Bar Harbor. days exploring it; David O. Rodick, who Friday night. The table was a delight- Lawrence Grant, lie" to February 8 at Bar Harbor-Castine has been actively interested in Park ful picture with a Statue of Liberty for Sylvia Grey, C er, the Normal School 28 to 3 for Bar Harbor. matters since its beginning; Albion F. centrepiece and with attractive dishes Hamor, Donald :he sta- February 15 at Bar Harbor-Lee|. Sherman of the Bar Harbor TIMES, who and silver and all the delicious attributes Lean, Alonzo Mit ecision emy, 43 to 14/for Bar Harbor has handled much publicity for Island of banquet in their places, while a deli- Gerald Mosley, I e else- February 22 at Augusta-Cony High and Park. cious clam stew was served. Paine, Margaret sion for School, 44 to 20 in favor of Cony. And in addition to the local men and worth. ;talford February 23 at Bangor-Bangor High the newspaper men, there are present Y. W. C. A. CLUB TO Mrs. Cunningha is: The School, 20 to 16 for Bar Harbor. at Washington, besides Supt. George B. GIVE THREE NEW PLAYS Frances Ahlblad, ersona- March 14 at Bar Harbor-Bangor Dorr, his assistant, A. H. Lynam and Bertrelle Gower, 1 letter High School, 21 to 20 for Bangor. his chief ranger, B, L. Hadley, Maine The Y. W. C. A. Dramatic Club has iel McQuinn, Ha y word men who represent great interests. decided upon Friday evening, April 4th beth Moore, Albe: use and TWO TOURNAMENTS James Q. Gulnac, whose name is syn- as the date of the presentation of the bur: not tarly corner START AT Y. M. C. A. onymous with every forward movement three one-act plays they have been pre- Brewer, Ailene went to in Maine; Manager A. L. T. Cummings paring. These plays are varied in their Bertelle Gower which Milton Fogg finished in first place with of the State Chamber of Commerce and style and plot. "The Maker of Dreams' ick leach. Mur ey have an average of 104 per string Thursday Industrial League; D. W. Hoegg, city is a fanciful tale in which Pierrot and Rodick, Elizabeth night at the Y. M. C. A., Frank Nason editor of the Portland Express who has Pierrette, in their love quest, discover ton. Herbert st, Bel- rolled second with 96 3-5 average, Web put out some of the finest publicity for the real maker of dreams who weaves Elizabeth Moore all time ber third with 95 average. Fogg also the Park and Island. the very best dreams for them. The Miss Yeaton's laide V. made the high single string of 132. Other One woman will be present and she is Manufacturer of Dreams is Miss Myra land Crouch h would high strings were Anthony 113, Graham one of the most fortunate choices, Mrs. Fowle, Pierrot is Miss Pauline Collins reader. 109, Burton 106, Nason 104, MacLeod Roselle Huddilston, a past president of and Pierrette, Miss Gertrude Yeaton licurge Mean 104 Loring 103, Gordon 102, Searls 10b. the Malne Federation or women's Clubs, Joint. in Spain in spite of its worthy Alice Crabire Martin home to Shaw 100. Final standing in match: a member of the board of directors of the imaginativi title, has its scene laid in is Pinkham Jennie ittle and Fogg 523, Nason 483, Webber 475, Gor national federation, president of the very matter-of-fact place a poor-house of Mrs. don 466, Loring 458, Graham 455, Shaw where two old ladies after many differ- Walls, Every Maine League of Women Voters. Miss Laura hristmas 452, Searls 451, Dyer 449. Anthony ences, finally make an agreement by Governor Percival P. Baxter, unable sent Gladys vell have 445, Burton 435, MacLeod 433. which they are able to live together in to be present personally, sent Hon. Willis Sheldon legalls Two new bowling tournaments started peace and harmony. The characters terpreta- E. Parsons of Dover, who, being Com- Webber: not this week. are: Mrs. Blair, Alice Williams : Mrs missioner of Inland Fisheries and Game, Gladys H Four games were rolled to date, on the Mitchell, Frances Burke: Miss Dyer. has been in close touch with Supt. I)orr Garlant Ray J. Pauline Niekerson. and his rangers in matters concerning Adelaide Larkin Neighbors, by Zona Gale, depicts a fish and game. Mair. Clarme scune in little village and shows real small town sympathy when practically men's tournament which began last the whole community responds to the Bar Harbor Monday, high strings were made by call to help one of the women who has Webber 125-109, Grindle 110, Clark an unexpected problem to face in the of an orphaned boy In this homely IRA G. HERSEY, M.C. HOME ADDRESS 4TH DISTRICT MAINE HOULTON, MAINE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY FRANK C. MERRITT CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, D.C. March 27, 1924. Hon. John A. Peters, U. S. District Court. Portland, Maine. Dear John: We had a hearing yesterday on the Lafayette Park matter. There were quite an interesting lot of witnesses in favor of the road system as laid out by Dorr and others and approved by the Department. There was very little real opposition. [Senator Pepper expressed about the same ideas as he had in his letter to you and one Peabody of Boston led some others from that section and presented some letters and petitions that the park should not be out up by roads and trails but left in its natural primitive state, etc.] The hearing was handled very finely by Representative Nelson and 1 should gather that your views in the matter will be adopted as that of the Department. At the close of the hearing secretary Work announced that it was" the desire of the Department to make Lafayette National Park a real national park in the true sense and not a local park for Bar Harbor, or of some individuals and that the policy that has been pursued in the improving, main- tenance and making of national parks would be pursued, in his opinion, in the matter of Lafayette Park by linking up all the parks." Now your experience in the House has been similar to mine no doubt, that the appropriations for national parks go largely to the opening up of new roads and traits and making the parks access - ible to automobiles so that visitors can be attracted and have an opportunity to visit the park in automobiles as but few can walk thru the park and over the mountains, nor do they have the time. Good roads in national parks draw every year more and more visitors and the slogan "See America First" is one stressed by the Interior Department in their advertising of the parks to the public. I think good roads in Lafayette park will greatly increase its popularity and hring increasing thousands to Maine every summer when they find they can drive through the heart of the park with their auto. I think you need have no fear but what the objections of your opnosi- tion in the matter will not meet with any favor from the Department. Very sincerely yours, Ira G Hersey_ Wordlawn Smpt Note: the 5th Panke referring New York City 1924 April 10, 1924. Dear Mr. Rockefeller: I asked Mr. Gumbel to have copied for you these papers, which I brought from Washington and whose originals were left with Mr. Cammerer. They tell in part the story of our hearing, whose stenographic report I have not yet received. The included lists show who attended the hearing, and what they represented. The letters are a part only of those written, some, including one from President Eliot to the Secretary, not being given out. I S ought no letters, myself, from summer residents or others excepting where, as in Judge Deasy's case, they stood for something more than personal interest; but a few came in. Fewer people than I had anticipated appeared in opposition, some as I have learned, withdrawing at the last on hearing of our strong support. And fewer wrote letters or signed the petition in remonstrance. These last I have grouped for Mr. Cammerer, showing family relationships and with a word of comment. The chief arguments in opposition rested on keeping certain areas wild and secluded and on the avoidance of constructional features. The hearing, as Mr. Debevoise will have told you, passed without attack on a basis, at least, of outward courtesy. This is not to be interpreted as due to change of heart, but mainly to Mr. Rockefel ller ---2 April 10, 1924. recognition of the strong backing which the State had given us, ex- pressed in newspaper editorials and enforced on Senator Hale. The latter came to my room at the club to find me the evening before the hearing and was clearly anxious as to what course Senator Pepper, wi th whom he had just conferred, might take at the hearing, and asked con- cessions of me which I could not make. Representative Nelson, who conducted the hearing for us, Mr. Lynam and a number of others were present at this meeting. The political situation was plainly a controlling factor on our side, with the State Republican Convention and its keynote speech immediately ahead. Three Maine newspapers and the Boston Herald were represented personally at the hearing; the Governor was represented; the Confederated Women's Clubs; and, personally or by letter, organizations and public bodies covering the whole state from Portland to Calais. Mr. Cammerer opened the hearing at the Secretary's re quest with a brief statement in which he squarely assumed for himself and the service responsibility for the adopted plans, and met the charge that I had acted, in any least thing, without authority and express instruction. A large wall-ma] which I had had prepared was shown, and Mr. Cammerer made clear by it the National Park bounds, showing that the area where the bridges were which they had charged were being built by me without authority was outside the existing boundaries of the Park. These two things, together with Senator Pepper's lining himself up with us upon the subject of the motor road and his acceptance of the encircling horseroad to the west of Jordan Pond and north of Mr. Rockefeller---3 April 10, 1924. Sargent Mountwin as too far advanced for opposition, cut the ground from under the feet of our other opponents, though not changing, of course, their attitude or opposition. The Secretary has issued no statement since the hear ing; and plans to issue none beyond authorizing, as he has done, con- struction to proceed but has stated his intention to come with Hr. Cammerer in early June and become acquainted with the Park and its problems at first hand. This Mr. Cammerer told me confidentially before the hearing that the Secretary had planned in our interest lest, if he should turn the opposition down abruptly, following the hearing, it might lead, after the Maine State Convention, to an attack such as Senator Pepper had earlier threatened, of which threat he knew, whereas if he made no announcement but of intention to visit the Park himself in June the session of Congress will by then have ended, and before it meets again the essential features of our plan will be advanced beyond discussion. I thought this wisely planned, letting the winter's opposition and attack pass into the background without giving opportunity for it to renew itself until its force is spent. And I felt grateful to him for it. Yours sincerely, [G.BDORR Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 26 Broadway, New York PK May 8, 1924. Dear Dr. Burphy: I have just returned from a few days' visit to Seal Harbor. While there I saw Mr. Dorr, and heard from him more in detail about the hearing recently held in Washington by the Secretary of the Interior in regard to the road construction work in Lafayette National Park You are doubtless more or less familier with the situation. Mr. Derr tells me that as Curator of the Park he felt Faalled upon to leave no atone anturned in preparing fully to present the case of the Park at the hearing, and that this in- volved bringing a number of people to Washington, having mape and other literature prepared, and many incidental expenses, the total of which amounts to $3,288.04. A member of people have contributed to this fund, but nearly $1,000. still remains to be raised. Having worked so strenously for the past two or three months in preparation for the hearing and in connection with the matters which led up to it, Mr. Dorr finds himself quite worn and weary. I therefore told him that I would mention to one or two of my Seal Harbor neighbors the situation of which he told me, and I felt confident tha other subscriptions would be forthcoming If you feel that you can contribute $200. or whatever _amount you see fit, toward this fund, I know it would be a great help to Mr. Dorr. Mr. A.H.Lynan of Bar Harbor is the Treasurer, to whom checks should be sent. Very sincerely, Dr. J.B.Murphy, Rookefeller Ins tute, New York City. Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record Page 1 of 2 AMERICAN MEMORY LIBRARY or CONGRESS Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record (If noted, names of historians, or other compilers, and date are drawings data pages photo caption pages color transparencies noted in the data pages.) Rockefeller Carriage Roads, Throughout Acadia National Park,Mt. Desert Island, BAR HARBOR VICINITY, Hancock County, ME Data page 1 of 140 Turn to data page NEXT DATA PAGE 1 Back to catalog record I LC-HABS/HAER Home Page I Highest Resolution Image (Compressed TIFF - 9K) ROCKETELLER CARRIAGE ROADS HAER NO. X6-13 (Acadia Carriage Bonds) Acadia National Park Roads & Bridgen Bar Harbor Vicinity Haneock County HAER Haine ME 5-BAHA.V, 14- WRITTEN HISTORICAL AND RESCRIPTIVE DATA PHOTOCRAPES MEASURED AND INTERPRETIVE DRAWSINGS XEROGRAPHIC COFIES OF COLOR TRANSPARENCIES Richard Juin NPS Historam 1996-97. HISTORIC AMERICAN ENCTWEERING RECORD Naciosal Park Service Department of the Interior P.O. Box 37127 Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=hhdatapage&fileName=me/me0200/me0237/data/hhdatapage.d..:5/29/2002 Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record Page 1 of 2 AMERICAN MEMORY LIBRARY of CONGRESS Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record (If noted, names of historians, or other compilers, and date are drawings data pages photo caption pages color transparencies noted in the data pages.) Rockefeller Carriage Roads, Throughout Acadia National Park,Mt. Desert Island, BAR HARBOR VICINITY, Hancock County, ME Data page 2 of 140 Turn to data page PREV DATA PAGE I NEXT DATA PAGE 2 Back to catalog record LC-HABS/HAER Home Page I Highest Resolution Image (Compressed TIFF - 31K) HAER ME HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD 5- BAHA.V, ROCKEFELLER CARRIAGE ROADS 14- HAER No. M3-13 I. INTRODUCTION LOCATION: Various locations on eachera half of Kount Desert Island, Hancock County, Maine. Approximately 47 miles of road are located in Acadia National Park, and the remaining 11 on Rockefeller land near Seal Harbor. Quada: Bar Harbor, Maine Hulls Cove, Maine Salisbury Cove, Maine Seal Harbor, Maine DATES OF CONSTROCTION: 1917-35 ENGINEES Charles W: Simpson Paul D. Simpson STRUCTURE TYPE: Broken stone carriage roads ORIGINAL ONNERS: John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Acadia National Park, National Park Service PRESENT OWNERS: Acadia National Park, National Park Service David Rockefeller SIGNIFICANCE: Built by industrialist and philanthro- piec John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the carriage road system on Maine' B Mount Desert Island has become of the principal attractions of Acadia National Park. Rockefeller, who had an avid personal interest in carriage driving and landscape design, built the roads to indulge his favorite pastime, but made http:.../hhdatapage.db&recNum=1&itemLink=D%3Fhh%3A3%3A.%2Ftemp%2F%7Eammem_wyAN%3A%3 5/29/2002 Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record Page 1 of 2 AMERICAN MEMORY of CONGRESS Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record (If noted, names of historians, or other compilers, and date are drawings data pages photo caption pages color transparencies noted in the data pages.) Rockefeller Carriage Roads, Throughout Acadia National Park,Mt. Desert Island, BAR HARBOR VICINITY, Hancock County, ME Data page 3 of 140 Turn to data page PREV DATA PAGE I NEXT DATA PAGE 3 Back to catalog record I LC-HABS/HAER Home Page I Highest Resolution Image (Compressed TIFF - 22K) ROCKEFELLER CARRIACE ROADS HAER No. ME-13 (Page 2) the system available to the public for their use and enjoyment. The roads provide access to mony of the island's favorite scenic attractions and include lakeside circuits, climbo to mountain shoulders and a summit, and rouzes through dense forent groves. The carriage road system is significant as a reminder of the early Ewencieth century interest in carriage driving as a leisure activity. for its careful attention to landscape design, and for its engineering structures, notably eighteen large scone-faced bridges. The Rocksfeller carriage roads are the best- preserved and probably the largest surviving intact system of developed Importance of horse roada, in the United States. carrioge roads. PROJECT INFORMATION Documentation of the Rockefeller Carriage Roads is part of the Acadia National Park Roads and Bridges Recording Project, conducted in 1994-95 by the Historic American Engineering Record. This is one in a series of reports prepared for the project. HAER No. ME-11, ACADIA NATIONAL PARK ROADS AND BRIDGES, contains an overview history of the park road systems. Richard . Quin, Historian, 1994-97 http:.../hhdatapage.db&recNum=2&itemLink=D%3Fhh%3A3%3A.%2Ftemp%2F%7Eammem_wyAN%3A%3: 5/29/2002 Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record Page 1 of 2 AMERICAN MEMORY of CONGRESS Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record and (If noted, names of historians, or other compilers, and date are noted in the data pages.) data pages photo caption pages color transparencies Acadia National Park Motor Roads, Acadia National Park, BAR HARBOR VICINITY, Hancock County, ME Data page 1 of 50 Turn to data page NEXT DATA PAGE 1 Back to catalog record I LC-HABS/HAER Home Page I Highest Resolution Image (Compressed TIFF - 8K) ACADIA NATIONAL PARK MOTOR ROADS NAER NO. ME-II (Tark Loop Road) Acadin Kational Park Reade & Bridges Bar Karboc Vicinicy tancock County HAER Xaine ME BAHAY, 2- WITTEN HISTORICAL AND DISCRIPTIVE DATA PHOTOGRAPHS %EROGRAPHIC COPIES OF COLOR TRANSPARENCIES neil Moher HISTORIC AMERICAN ESGINEERING RECORD National Park Service Department of the Interior P.O. Box 37127 Washington, D.C. 30013-7127 http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collld=hhdatapage&fileName=me/me0200/me0235/data/hhdatapage.db&recNum=0&.. 6/5/2002 Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record Page 1 of 2 AMERICAN MEMORY LIBRARY of CONGRESS Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record (If noted, names of historians, or other compilers, and date are drawings data pages photo caption pages color transparencies noted in the data pages.) Rockefeller Carriage Roads, Throughout Acadia National Park,Mt. Desert Island, BAR HARBOR VICINITY, Hancock County, ME Data page 27 of 140 Turn to data page PREV DATA PAGE I NEXT DATA PAGE 27 Back to catalog record LC-HABS/HAER Home Page I Highest Resolution Image (Compressed TIFF 43K) ROCKSFELLER CARRIAGE ROADS HAER NO. ME-13 (page 26) the work 66 The "donations" were of course Rockefoller funds. Under the rond-building policy, the work within the park boundaries would technically be carried out by the park. The new connecting road between Bagle Lake and Jordan Fond, proposed by Dorr and incorporated into the road propocal, was ostensibly a government project, but Rockefeller provided the funding, his engineer oversaw the work, and his contractors--Clement and Joy--did the work. Rockefeller even drew up the contracting papers for Dorr's signature. This practice was followed for most of the subsequent ( construction over park lande, The work was underway that season, To the west, Rockefellor was simultaneously building the West Sergent Mountain Road, now the western segment of the "Around the Mountain" loop. The new road would leave the Brown Mountain area and run north, climbing to an elevation of more than 700* on the shoulder of Sargent Mountain, the highest point reached by the carriage roads. From this point, the road would offer stuming viewo of the ioland's western mountains and Frenchman and Blue Hill bays. Welles Bosworth designed two grand stone bridges, Hemlock and Waterfall, for this section. The two spans, located less than a hundred yards apart near the junction of the Hadlock and Haple Spring streams, were both built by B. H. Candage and son. Waterfall Bridge overlooks a lovely cascade: the Hadlock Brook trail passes under the span and frames the hiker's view of the waterfall in its round arch. Hemlock Bridge is a gothic- archad structure, its pointed arch probably chosen as appropriate for its setting in & dark hemlock grove, reflecting the pointy tips of the majestic trees. Majestic bridges of this nature became hallmarks or the carriage road system. Pepper now Senator- As the work proceeded, Rockefeller's nemesic, George Wharton Pepper, now U.S. Sanator from Pennsylvania, opposed the latest undertakings and attempted to use his new Boaition to block the "Rockefellers nemests" work. In January 1924, Senator Pepper, with two other Bumber residence, Harold Peabody and Mrs. Eliot Wadsworth, mot with Secretary of the Interior Hubert Work to protest the continuing road construction. Pepper stated that while he had great respect for both Rocketeller and Dorr, he felt they were keeping the htt.../hhdatapage.db&recNum=26&itemLink=D%3Fhh%3A3%3A.%2Ftemp%2F%7Eammem_wyAN%3A%3 5/29/2002 Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record Page 1 of 2 AMERICAN MEMORY CONGRESS Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record (If noted, names of historians, or other compilers, and date are drawings data pages photo caption pages color transparencies noted in the data pages.) Rockefeller Carriage Roads, Throughout Acadia National Park,Mt Desert Island, BAR HARBOR VICINITY, Hancock County, ME Data page 28 of 140 Turn to data page PREV DATA PAGE I NEXT DATA PAGE 28 Back to catalog record I LC-HABS/HAER Home Page I Highest Resolution Image (Compressed TIFF - 45K) ROCKEPELLER CARRIAGE ROADS HAER No. NE-13 (page 27) planned work secret BO that the construction could be carried out without arousing protests from the GUMMER residents. The three complainants were generally opposed to all road work in the park, including the proposed motor road from Jordan Pond to Bagle Lake and the Cadillac Mountain Road. They were especially critical OF the "road trails" or carriage reade, stating that the areas they would traverse were already served by foot trails, and that there was no assurance they ultimately would not become motor roads. They also strongly criticized Rockefoller's stone bridges as more appropriate for Central Park than for the national park. Urged by them to hold a hearing over the matter, the Secretary agreed to call one in March. In the meantime, he told them he would ir order the road work suspended." On hearing about the decision from Cammerer, Dorr wrote back immediately, protesting that a suspension would throw many men out of work. Only one carriage road was under construction on parl land, the route on the west side of Jordan Pend. The difficult "Tumbledown" rockslide had already been passed, and no bridge work was underway. He asked Cannerer to ensure that representatives from the various village improvement associations and the Trustees of Public Reservations be invited to participate in the bearing. A few days later, Cammerer cabled back that work could continue on the Mountain Road motor road and the carriage road west of the pend, but no new construction should be started Dorr then sent a longer letter to clarify the sicuation. No carriage road work was proceeding "on government londs" except for the road vest of Jordan Pond. Dorr stated that this road was less than a rod in widch and would be visible only where it crossed *the Tumbledown." Here, great care was being taken that only weathered stone would show and the road would be inconspicuous. Dorr insisted that the road was essential for patrol purposes and that, had donated funds not become available, he would have asked fox an appropriation to construct it, as it would provide the first access between the northern and southern sections of the park west of 3agle Lake Dorr pointed out that Pepper and his supporters had failed to realize that the road-building that was the chief object of their htt.../hhdatapage.db&recNum=27&itemLink=D%3Fhh%3A3%3A.%2Ftemp%2F%7Eammem_wyAN%3A%3 5/29/2002