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UNTIL THE CURRENT improvement plan known as "Mission 66" went into effect, basic protection and development of the units of the National Park System met with serious financial obstacles. Congress had shown real vision in venturing into the new field of national park establishment. But it had difficulty in finding funds to run the parks in view of the competing demands for appropriations.

No funds were available for protection of the Yellowstone until 6 years after its creation, and the first superintendent served without pay and without assistants.

Finally, with would-be exploiters about to negate the generous deed of the Yellowstone founders, public-spirited citizens including General Phil Sheridan sprang to the defense of the park, calling the serious situation to the attention of Congress. In lieu of providing funds for a civilian protective staff, Congress then authorized the Secretary of the Interior to call upon the Secretary of War for troops to patrol and protect the park. Military protection was maintained from 1886 to 1918. When Yosemite, Sequoia, and General Grant National Parks were established, they received similar protection. In addition, the early roads were built by Army engineers.

Although the National Park Service was created in 1916, it was not until April 1917 that funds to organize it were made available. That was when the United States entered World War I. Inevitably under such conditions funds were limited. The new bureau started literally on a starvation diet and has had an uphill fight ever since—as national and international emergencies followed closely one upon another—to secure sufficient money to give full protection to the parks and the visitors, and to provide roads, trails, campgrounds, and other needed facilities.

Yet the visitors kept coming. By 1956, the total was about 150 percent above that of 1941, and it still goes up.

Formulation of the program known as Mission 66 was undertaken early in 1955; the report on Mission 66 was made public a year later. Endorsed by the President and Congress, it is a 10-year conservation program for all areas administered by the National Park Service. Its purpose is to develop and staff the areas so that they will provide the fullest possible benefit and enjoyment at the same time that their natural and historic resources are fully safeguarded for future generations.

The target date of 1966, from which Mission 66 gets its name, is singularly appropriate, as that is the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the act of Congress which authorized the establishment of the National Park Service. The program represents the work and the suggestions of hundreds of employees of the Service; all were invited and urged to contribute their ideas as to park needs and the manner in which the National Park System might better serve its owners—the American people.

Elimination of Private Inholdings

Within the authorized boundaries of the various national park areas are private holdings that interfere with efficient management. On many of these non-Federal lands are developments that clash violently with accepted standards of park scenery or other resources. All of them are potential dangers to park features; and they frequently preclude or make difficult the provision of needed public facilities.

When Mission 66 was activated, approximately 700,000 acres of private lands still remained. Under the new 10-year program it is planned to work toward the elimination of at least half these holdings, through an expenditure of $1 million of Federal funds annually, plus $500,000 of donated funds. In addition, Mission 66 plans the acquisition of other lands necessary for protection or use, and of water rights needed to insure adequate water supplies. Grazing and other competing uses will be eliminated.

Barring the unexpected, the future of national parks "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" looks bright.

A PRIVATE HOLDING, Yosemite National Park. Such holdings as this not only are offensive esthetically, but they constitute a serious fire hazard to the surrounding park lands. Often they stand in the way of needed park developments; and almost always they render park administration difficult.

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