NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS, THE, of the United States are reservations set aside by Congress for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. In 1929 there were 21 of these reservations administered by the national park service of the department of the interior, and 59 related reservations known as national monuments, of which 32 are administered by the national park service.
One of the main distinctions between these two classes of reservations is the method of establishment. National parks are areas of unusual scenic beauty or natural phenomena, set aside by Congress "to conserve the scenery and the natural and his toric objects and the wild life therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations," to quote from the organic act of Aug. 25, 1916, establishing the national park service. The national monuments, on the other hand, are reservations established by presidential proclamation under authority granted the president of the United States in the act of June 8, 1906, known as the Antiquities Act, "to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States to be national monuments." Generally speaking the national monuments are small areas reserved to pro tect objects of historic, prehistoric or scientific value within their boundaries, while the national parks are larger areas containing scenery of the first order. Several of the existing national parks, however, were originally designated national monuments, to pre vent their settlement or spoliation while awaiting the necessary legislation to give them park status. Among these were the Grand Canyon, Zion, Lassen Volcanic and Lafayette.
of the national parks is in charge of a local superintendent. In several of the smaller parks the superintendent has only two or three assistants, while in the more extensive, such as Yellowstone and Yosemite, a large force is necessary, both clerical and protective. The protective work is done by the ranger force, headed by a chief ranger who reports to the superintendent. The permanent ranger force is the all year nucleus around which is built up the larger summer force. The more important of the national monuments are in charge of local custodians. The group of south-western national monu
ments is in charge of a superintendent, through whom the cus todians report. In addition to the field forces at the national parks and monuments, there are three field divisions at large promoting specialized lines of development. These are the edu cational, the civil engineering, and the landscape architectural divisions with headquarters in San Francisco, California.
The national parks and national monuments are the only areas in the United States where the native fauna, flora and natural phenomena are given absolute protection, in an endeavour to preserve for future generations bits of American scenery and wild life as they were when the early pioneers first saw them. The introduction of exotic animals or plants is guarded against. The complete protection afforded game species within these reservations serves an important eco nomic purpose in that, by providing a safe retreat, especially during the breeding season, these animals are given an oppor tunity to increase to the point of overflow to adjacent territory, where they may be hunted or trapped under State laws.
Between 1916 and 1928, travel to the parks and monuments administered by the national park service increased from 356,097 to 3,024.9t -44, and recreational facilities were provided to care for these visitors. Hotel and comfortable lodge accommodations are available and free public camp grounds have been provided by the Govern ment. In some of these camp grounds housekeeping cabins may be rented and cafeteria service is available. Water, electric light ing and sanitary conveniences are furnished, as well as firewood and in some places open fireplaces for cooking. Transport service is provided for those visiting the parks by train, and saddle horses and pack outfits for those wishing to explore and camp in outlying portions of the parks. Roads are provided for motorists and trails for horseback riders and walkers. Where winter sports can be en joyed, toboggans, ski courses and skis, sleighs and snow-shoes are to be had. The streams and lakes are stocked with game fish, and camera supplies are obtainable. Pamphlets descriptive of the various parks, giving information regarding their recreational at tractions and the facilities provided for visitors may be secured from the National Park Service.