records. Dr. Kunz has amplified his remarks for the purposes of this Report, and they are printed in Appendix E.

NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS.

The Third National Conservation Congress was held in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 25, 26 and 27, 1911. The delegates appointed from the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society were Dean Liberty H. Bailey, Director of the New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University, Chairman; and Hon. Charles M. Dow, Mr. Henry E. Gregory, Mr. Samuel V. Hoffman, Hon. Thomas P. Kingsford, Dr. George Frederick Kunz, Hon. Thomas R. Proctor, Col. Henry W. Sackett and Dr. Charles D. Vail.

The principal officers elected at the Congress were as follows: President, Mr. J. B. White of Kansas City, Mo.; Executive Secretary, Mr. Thomas R. Shipp of Indianapolis, Ind.; Treasurer, Mr. D. Austin Latchaw of Kansas City, Mo.; and Recording Secretary, Mr. James C. Gipe of Clarks, La.

The constitution of the Congress was amended so as to create an Advisory Board made up of representatives of national associations which have conservation committees. The selection of the representative from each association is left to that association and the Chairman of the Board is elected by the Board. The American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society has appointed as its representative upon the Advisory Board of the National Conservation Congress the Chairman of its Conservation Committee, Dean Liberty H. Bailey, of Ithaca, N. Y.

The American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, as such, is not primarily concerned with the conservation of the material resources although it recognizes and sympathizes with such conservation. Its primary object, as indicated in its title, is the preservation of natural scenery and historical landmarks. But landmark conservation and the conservation of natural resources are frequently so intimately connected that they cannot be dissociated. Sometimes these two sets of interests harmonize and sometimes they come in conflict with each other. Both phases are illustrated in Letchworth Park, referred to on pages 56 to 76 preceding. The connection between scenic conservation

and the conservation of material resources is so close, and the work developed during the past seventeen years has become so important, that the State Conservation Commission of New York is seeking legislation with a view to co-operation between that Commission and bodies having the custody and care of scenic, historic and scientific parks and places. (See pages 213-217 preceding.) It is not the policy of this Society to oppose the development of the material resources of the country for light reasons. Where important public needs demand the sacrifice of beautiful scenery, purely sentimental considerations should not interpose obstacles to physical changes. The Society holds, however, that the public sentiment which calls for the preservation of natural scenery and natural phenomena for the enjoyment of mankind is entitled to recognition; and should not be overridden by private covetousness.

It is with a view to promoting the recognition of public rights to the enjoyment of the aesthetic as well as the material pleasures of life, and the proper balancing of the public interests in scenic conservation and material conservation, that we take pleasure in participating in the National Conservation Congress.

A MOUNTAIN MEMORIAL GIFT.

In our past Reports will be found recorded many gifts of public parks in different parts of the country. They are probably only a small proportion of all such gifts made; but we believe it is proper to make mention of such as come to our notice in order that these generous examples may inspire similar gifts by others.

On January 26, 1911, Mr. Joseph R. Leeson of Newton, Mass., gave to the State of New Hampshire a mountain as a memorial of his father-in-law, Gen. Walter Harriman, who was Governor of New Hampshire from 1867 to 1869. The memorial, which is to be known as the Walter Harriman Reservation, includes Stewart Mink Hill, 1,800 feet high, and a large tract of land around it. The summit commands a fifty mile view of White Mountain scenery. Its slopes are covered with picturesque timber growths and meadows. The State of New Hampshire will utilize the gift for the study and teaching of forestry at the same time that it is open to the public as a park. Mr. Leeson's letter of donation was as follows:

"His Excellency GOVERNOR BASS, Concord, N. H.:

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"YOUR EXCELLENCY. The undersigned, who in 1874 married the only daughter of the late General Walter Harriman, formerly Governor of New Hampshire, many years ago, for the purpose of retention in the family, bought the Harriman farm in Warner, Merrimack County, N. H. The land comprising this farm is finely situated on the Southern slope of that portion of the Mink Hills, foothills of Kearsarge Mountain, known as Stewart Mink. "In the Life of Walter Harriman' by Hadley, published by Houghton Mifflin & Co., 1888, it is stated that Walter Harriman, of the seventh generation from Leonard, who was a member of the Rev. Ezekiel Rogers party from Rowley, England, which settled in Rowley, Mass., 1638, was born April 8, 1817. His birthplace lies at the southern base of the Mink Hills. Rapid, sparkling brooks fall from the hills and form the Harriman brook, which empties into the Contoocook River. The large, well-tilled farm upon which General Harriman was reared, had green, cultivated slopes, fine groves of maple, beech and oak. Through life he cherished reverence for the place of his birth as one of the most sacred spots on earth. He always appreciated the beautiful, the sublime, the picturesque in Nature, but those features in the landscape of his childhood home, hallowed by precious associations, were ever dearest to his sight and memory. The view of the Mink Hills or Kearsarge was to him through life a delight."

"In the History of Warner,' written by General Harriman in 1879, the author writes:

"Rome was built on seven hills, but Warner stands on seven times that number. She is literally among the mountains. The Mink Hills are a range extending very near the river at Waterloo. The range consists of four distinct mountains, yet all are united in one. The last is Stewart's Hill, 1808 ft. above the level of the sea. The view from this hill is extensive and elevating. Men and women make weary journeys, cross continents and sail the seas to obtain views not more enchanting than can be had from the top of the Minks.'

"As noted in the foregoing, there is a fine growth of various species of hard wood trees on this land. At the summit of the Stewart Mink is an exceedingly fine grove of red spruce. The land is rich, as shown by the thick turf extending to the top, so that it is to be inferred forestry may be profitably pursued on this land. It has occurred to me that this farm of something over two hundred acres, might well form the nucleus of an attractive and desirable forest reservation in Merrimack County, and in view of the affection of my father-in-law for this spot, it would seem to be the most fitting way of preserving his memory to all time, were this

tract set apart as a forest park to be known as the Walter Harriman Forest Reserve, or such other suitable appellation added to his name as may be deemed best.

"To this end I have decided to offer this tract of land to the State of New Hampshire as a free gift, and shall be pleased to take such measures as may be needed to carry out the purpose here indicated.

"Yours faithfully,

"J. R. LEESON."

PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S BIRTHPLACE SAVED.

On November 9, 1911, the Lincoln Farm Association turned over to the Federal Government the log cabin in which President Lincoln was born and the granite building which has been erected over it for its protection. The memorial stands in the middle of the farm at Hodgenville, Ky., on which Lincoln's parents Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks settled after their long journey from Virginia. [See plates 38 and 39.]

Cut into the wall of the memorial are these words:

"Here, over the log cabin where Abraham Lincoln was born, destined to preserve the Union and free the slaves, a grateful people have dedicated this memorial to unity, peace and brotherhood among these States."

President Taft, Chief Justice White, the Governors of several states, a number of Senators, Congressmen and other celebrities, the entire militia establishment of Kentucky, several regiments of regular troops, encampments of the G. A. R. and of the Confederate Veterans, participated in the dedicatory exercises.

LINCOLN MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON.

In our last Annual Report, at page 508, we expressed approval of the site selected on the banks of the Potomac River in the National Capital for the memorial to Abraham Lincoln, for which Congress has voted $2,000,000. It is a matter of great regret that the carrying out of this well considered project is opposed by organized interests who desire to have the money expended, not on a memorial in Washington, but upon a road from Washington to the Gettysburg Battlefield. While we are heartily in sympathy with what is called the "Good Roads" movement in the United States and realize the necessity for better roads as a

consquence of the development of motor vehicles, we do not believe that the funds provided by the Government for the Lincoln memorial should be perverted to the advancement of road building.

The site endorsed by the Trustees of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society is that selected ten years ago by the Park Commission of Washington. It is on the Mall to the southwest of the White House, on an axis with the Washington Monument and the long contemplated Memorial Bridge to Arlington. This site has the endorsement of three expert Commissions

the Park Commission of Washington, the Fine Arts Commission and the Lincoln Memorial Commission. The Lincoln Memorial Commission consists of President Taft, United States Senators Cullom, Wetmore and Money, and Representatives Cannon, McCall and Champ Clark. It also has the approval of the American Institute of Architects (one of the most earnest advocates of the site), and about thirty or more painters, sculptors, architects, and landscape architects composing the Fine Arts Council.

Some of the arguments in favor of the Park site are as follows: The Government owns the land; therefore, the appropriation of two million dollars would all be available for the erection of a beautiful and dignified memorial which, once in place, would call for very little additional expenditure for purposes of maintenance. The site has the Potomac River on one side, insuring one permanent element of beauty in the environment. The land for threequarters of a mile back and for at least a quarter of a mile on either side is undeveloped and can be treated in harmony with any form of monument chosen. The location, on the axial line of the Capitol and the Washington Monument, is appropriate, and will permit the new monument to be seen from the Capitol, from the White House, from some thirteen miles down the Potomac, from Arlington- in fact, from every direction.

It is earnestly hoped that this site may eventually be selected.

PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S BIRTHPLACE SAVED. On March 8, 1912, an option was signed for the purchase of the parsonage adjoining the Presbyterian Church in Caldwell, N. J., by Dr. John II. Finley, President of the College of the City of New York, in behalf of the Cleveland Birthplace Memo