Publications and Reports

STATEMENT OF SERVICE HISTORY AND POLICIES ISSUED

Answering the need for a quick-reference statement of origins, development, and present scope of responsibilities and operations, A Brief History of the National Park Service was issued this month as a 56-page letter-size booklet. The material was compiled and edited by James F. Kieley, associate recreational planner, Washington.

After relating how the national park idea grew out of a discussion held in the glow of a campfire on the night of September 19, 1870, the booklet traces the growth of public sentiment for preservation of natural and historical treasures, describes the establishment of the Service August 25, 1916, and explains its advancement to a position of recognized leadership, both as a national custodian and as a developmental and re creational planner. There are sections devoted to the activities of the various Service branches, and to the Recreation Study, the Recreational Demonstration Areas, and the program of state, county and metropolitan cooperation. A useful bibliography contains 110 items.

A look ahead is provided by "The Future of Parks and Recreation," which is concluded:

". . . The National Park Service sees its future participation in the nationwide park and recreational movement in the light of the necessity for cooperative planning and direction for the advancement of such a program. As the Federal Government has assisted other important nationwide movements through financial aid and technical advice to the states and local governments, so it can assist this movement by providing the impetus which would be lacking were the states to embark on separate, individual programs without relation to one another. Federal and state park and recreational work has become a firmly established practice since 1933. It is authorized by law under Act of Congress. Therefore, the ground work has been laid and the way is open for such cooperation to achieve the objectives of a national recreation program as a contribution to the conservation of the human wealth of the nation. . .

"When it was established, the National Park Service shouldered great responsibilities in administering and protecting the country's national parks and monuments. Those responsibilities have been enlarged until today the Service, through its cooperation with the states in their park development work, is recognized as the highest authority in the rapidly growing field of public recreation. To this broad work it contributes not only its resources of technical knowledge and experience, but the high ideals of public service with which it was stamped in the beginning by those who fostered its establishment out of love of the nation's richest treasures---the National Parks."

NEW CONSERVATION MONTHLY TO APPEAR SOON

The Land, a monthly journal devoted to problems in the field of international conservation, will appear for the first time with a September issue, according to a prospectus distributed this month by Friends of the Land, "a nonpartisan, nonprofit society for conservation of soil, rain and man," which has its headquarters in Washington.

"The magazine," says the society, "will deal humanly with the problems and victories in all fields of conservation, in this and other countries. Other literature will from time to time be made available, dealing with the importance, significance, and technique of land and water conservation, and the relationship of people to the land." A list of 14 objectives in the organization's program includes the maintenance of a clearing house of information on conservation in foreign countries and the publication of surveys of international activities. It is planned to encourage investigation and research, reward outstanding accomplishments of individuals, and convene periodical conferences in various parts of the country.

OHIO SOCIETY RECORDS PROGRESS

The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society has issued a 32-page booklet, Ohio Cherishes Her Rich Historic Tradition, which brings up to date the record of accomplishments of that organization in research, educational and custodial work. After a brief history of the 55-year-old society, there are sections relating to its departments of archeology, history, and natural history, its library, and its division of state memorials.

"The organization is widely recognized," it is explained in the latter section, "as the original conservator of the 'human history' memorials within the state. . . the number of such properties in custody of the Society has reached a total of 40. While originally known as 'State Parks,' the term 'State Memorials' has been adopted for the purpose of distinguishing between sites accredited to human agencies on the one hand, and scenic, recreational and other natural areas on the other." There is a descriptive directory of the memorials.

WIRE CLEARANCE FROM TREES

Tree Clearance for Overhead Lines, by George D. Blair (Electrical Publication, Inc., Chicago, 1940; 238 pp., $3.75), is intended, explains the author, "to assemble in a clear and comprehensive form for the first time accurate information in dealing with all aspects and problems of wire clearance from trees." The text is based on observations of 16 years in line clearance work for a power company in Michigan. It covers a field that long has been neglected and about which there has been a scarcity of authoritative material. The volume is expected to prove helpful to all who deal with shade tree care, especially governmental agencies and public utilities faced with the problems of overhead lines.