Bar Harbor, Maine, Oct. 16, 1916. Miss Mary White Ovington, Seal Harbor, Maine. My dear Miss Ovington; I write in reply to your letter of October 15th. You have evidently been disturbed by erroneous information. There never has been any question of a carrigge road around Jordan Mountain, nor is any likely to arise. Should any road be ever built through South West Pass, it will be built by the Government; but personally I feel that where the area is at once so small and interesting, foot and bridle paths are better. Under Government control, permanent free- dom to the public is assured, and the greatest security possible for the native beauty of the Island in its rocky core. The road that Mr. Rockefeller is building around the head of Long Pond valley passes only through the Reservation's Southern skirt, where it will serve as a valuable protection against forest fire. No rights whatever have been given him, and the lands the Government has now accepted from us belong alikem and equally, to allits citizens. The Government, since it assumed control, has neither given nor been asked to give permission for the building of any further roads. Nor would it ever give such permission unless it thought the widest interests of the general public would be best served by its doing so. On that you may rely securely. But the question has not yet arisen. Should it ever, it will be dealt with thoughtfully, with sole reference to the public benefit and to conservation of the Island's greatest interest and charm. Believe me, Yours sincerely, George B. Dorr, Custodian, Sieur de Monts National Monument. SEAL Sept. 18. 1916 SERVICE THE D INN. MARATHON M Guoge 73. Darr my, by dear Mr. Doss Mr. Edward Raul said Item I night mile 6 you though my ml, eycure is that I have run m the colour for mruly - my you, and that of am a member of the Pitte Committee heu- Y came 15 the meeting at the Building of arts when the rew Recernation & Natimal Park nas explanned and heart the very interesting operelus- The print which struch me must forcicley and which & have feet must needly myself mas that the minutauis and frests would he protected from the dangers which laye printe rourselip often bringv. So y milli many others, am dishussed 5 learn of the plaus 8 the new road which is 5 So our the demler of Jordan mt and arnud the acuplic theatre , To us This accus the very dayer which he had hopes would he averter- ne new rut happy about the southern end of Indan stream, Squirrel mark and Mitchull Hill, which INN. SEAL male a large STATE MARATHON line of territory THE ME to he telen array from the nathew and from There nlio really love the island and signet the effects to malu it into a White Mountain n adiroudack Park - But of course of a man omo lack the may So what he mill with it when it cmes 6 the Encement Recervation it seems to me a very different they and 7 hope you will realize that then is another and my different pount of new from in - Nockefeller's- will you not Consider no also and do not talu away from time rlw have spent the hust of then life m sum me her, all that they call fre In I appre that me road will follow austen cloudy if the present plaus au follower- I am glas to hear that you do not approx of takey not all Hu firs and spruch from the side of the roads, or of grasty Famils which need a lawn- moner or of skinning the bluff and rodes to alend the unhappy INN. bare SEAL sheletous of what new SECURITY THE THE DEPARTMENT nice mossy clipp and ABJCLEMENT mille feris- - Mill you no consider, hefre this side f the island becomes a series of thornylifer ? Thank you f you patience in reading my suggestions and protect - very huls yours this S. L.Shaw Eliu J. Than - Sensile I'm Jul Hack Mainer - aug. 24 the 1916 Journey's End. R.E. Rarbour, Me. my dear m for : - the Widnes day august 30 it '/ a joint muting of the Snank Committee of the Island mil h of the five Village drig Srauth held at the In am Pind Hunce at. 3. 30 him as this annu al , joint mutus will he held much the busin an of am youthe ast Hemln Committe it give me yu it pleasure to initi you to ather d 2 after a hif business meeting in will all pantahn of te a and to ast We are all particular why interested in finding out what the relative of our amounthis will h to the National mmmunt in future If you camer jnin as m aug. 30 th could you and me a brief outline of what m may Effect the Native Somunum to do in ugund to this new National Park? I presume our effects to minimum the track in gird condition will he managed rather th an discomaged. a The gampe of Notherst people who allen did you wordfol multin g of any 12 th, left th at meeting frud with luthuriasm to aid and assist the good cause I think you can Ink for assistance in the mm future, from the section Sincerely your grayh P. Junia m bengu slow Bar Harbor, Maine, September 8, 1916. Dear President Eliot: The Trail Committees of the V. I. Societies may, and for the present owing to lack of Government appropriation must, continue their customary work of caring for the trails upon the lands now deeded to the Government. Government ownership assures the permanent freedom of these trails; and ultimately funds to aid at least in caring for them can be safely counted on. But even when such are available, it will still re- main desirable -- in my judgment -- that the summer residents upon the Island who use these paths should retain by cooperation in their up-keep some measure of control over the then more thorough work that will be possible upon them. The Government certainly will welcome help of such a character, and recognize its value. To have people like the chairmen and other members of the various V. I. A. path committees working with it for the attainment of its purposes of openness and conservation is a rare opportunity, such as the western parks do not afford, and the Government may be relied upon, organized at Washington as it now is by the establish- ment of the National Parks Service, to take all possible advantage of it. that the Trails Committees ought not to do upon these lands is to lay out new, important trails over them, establishing new routes or making new connections, without due consultation both with the Government's representative on the Island, upon whom the responsibility must ultimately devolve, and with the chairmen of any other V. I. A. Path Committees whose trails might be made to connect with these to make a greater system. The Path Committees should not, also, allow the men in their employ to cut disfiguringly the boughs of trees upon the treils, or gash their bark, which these men, in my experience, naturally tend to do; nor to allow boughs or other brush, cut in keeping the trails open, to remain unburnt longer than burning at a safe time makes necessary, while all burn- ing, on the other hand, should be done with greatest care, to cause no danger and leave no disfigurement behind. The Government rules prohibit strictly, in all its parks, cutting their wood without express authority, gathering their wild flowers, shooting their wild life, destroying the nests of birds, setting traps, and carrying fire arms across them; they prohibit also the building of fires upon them, without special leave and under strict conditions. These, and other similar restrictions tending to the preser- vation of the Park's wild life, to its beauty and intereet and best devel- o pment, the various Path or Trail Committees of the Island should all interest themselves in having carefully observed, and where necessary en- forced, upon the Government's lands, with the support of its authority. Yours very truly (Signed) George B. Dorr \ September 15th.1916 Wo, the undersigned, Chairmon of the Trails Committees of the Village Improvement Societies of Bar Harbor, Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor, hereby agree to act jointly in carrying out the suggestions contained in a letter from Mr. George B. Dorr to Dr. Charles W. Eliot, bearing date September 8, 1916, & copy of which is hereto attached. Predolele ES Chairman, Rondog Fath Committee Bar Harkov. Joseph Allen Chairman Patto Reads Committee Seal Hacher. Josyl P.Junie, chaic. Traile am. Northeal barbn, chair Trails Com Southwest Harbor SEASIDE INN, SEAL HAPBOR. MAINE. September 18, 1916. George B. Dorr, ESQ., My dear Mr. Dorr: Mr. Edward Rand said that I might write to you, though my only excuse in that I have been on the Island for twenty-six years, and that I am 2 member of the Path Committee here. I came to the meeting at the Building of Arts when the new Reservation & National Park wa.3 explained and hears the very interesting speeches. The point which struck me most forcibly and which I have felt most keenly myself, W.B.S that the mountains and forests would be protected from the dangers which which large private ownership often brings. So I with many others, am distressed to learn of the plans for the new road which is to go over the shoulder of Jordan Mountain and around the Amphitheatre. To us this seems the very danger which we had hoped would be averted. we were not happy about the southern end of Jordan stream, Squirrel Erook and Mitchell Hill, which made A large slice of territory to be taken away from the walkers and from those who really love the Island and regret the efforts to make it into a White Mountain or Adirondack Park -- but of course if a man owns land he may do what he will with it. When it comes to the Govern- ment Reservation it seems to me a very different thing, and I hope you will realize that there is another and very different point of view from ihr Mr. Rockefelier'8. Will you not consider us also and do not take away from those who have spent the most of their life in summer here, all that they care for; for I suppose that one road will follow another closely if the present plans are followed. I R.In glad to hear that you do not approve of taking out all the firs and spruces from the side or the road, or of grassy banks which need a lawn mower, or of skinning the bluffs and roads to show the unhappy bare skeletons of what were once mossy cliffs covered with ferns. Will you not consider before this side of the Island becomes a series of thoroughfares? Thank you for your patience in reading my suggestions and protest. Very truly yours, Elsie L. Shaw . Miss E. L. Shaw, Seaside Inn, Seal Harbor, Me. Bar Harbor, Maine, Septembers, 1916. Dear President Eliot: The Trail Committees of the V. I. Societies may, and for the present owing to lack of Government appropriation must, continue their C customary work of waring for the trails upon the lands now deeded to the Government. Government ownership assures the permanent freedom of these trails, and ultimately funds to aid at len st in caring for them can be safely counted on. But even when such are available, it will atill remain desirable - - in my judgment -- that the summer residents upon the Ieland who use these paths should retain, by cooperation in their up-keep some measure of control over the then more thorough work that will be possible upon them. The Government certainly will. welcome help of such 8 character, and recognize its value. To have people like the chairmen and other members of the various V. I. A. path committees working with it for the attainment of its purposes of openness and con- servation is n rare opportunity, such as the western parks do not afford, and the Government may be relied upon, organized at Washington as it now is by the establishment of the National Parks Service, to take all possible advantage of it. what the Trails Committees ought not to do upon these lands is to lay out new, important trails over them, establishing new routes or making new connections, without due consultation both with the Govern- ment's representative an the Island, upon whom the responsibility must ultimately devolve, and with the chairmen of any other V. I. A. Path Committees whose trails might be made to connect with these to make a 2- greater system. The Path Committees should not, also, allow the men in their employ to cut disfiguringly the boughs of trees upon the trails, or gash their bark, which these men, in my experience, naturally tend to do; nor to allow boughs or other brush, cut in keeping the trails open, to remain unburnt longer than burning at a safe time makes necessary; while all burning, on the other hand, should be done with greatest care, to cause no danger and leave no disfigurement behind. The Government rules prohibit strictly, in all its parks, cutting their wood without express authority, gathering their wild flowers, shooting their wild life, destroying the nests of birds, setting traps, and carrying fire arms across them; they prohibit also the build- ing of fires upon them, without special leave and under strict conditions. These, and other similar restrictions tending to the preserva- tion of the Park's wild life, to its beauty and interest and best devel- o pment, the various Path or Trail Committees of the Island should all interest themselves in having carefully observed, and where necessary enforced, upon the Government's lands, with the support of its authority. Yours very truly. FFARRING TON M. THOMPSON JOSEPH ALLEN MAYOR FRED M. GARTHWAIT The City of White Plains, N.H. FREDERICK C. MCLAUGHLIN CHARLES H. DEWSNAP JOHN T. REHILL PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. WEISE Common Council Seal Harbor. me. Sept .19 1916. Wh. George B. Dour Bar Harber. ma Dear Mr. Dorr. The Seal Harber Village Improvement Sourc's path Committee derinn to do ler. tain priver of new construction this fale and next spring an shown on the enclosed make Although whally in our district y have shown their location to th. Juni of North East Harbor, and Dr. Brummow, who approve. g shall be glad To have you approval of you see no objection to them, so that am men can begin work soon. On Penetic Mountain: 1) is a cut off from the first mubble on the south End ) to th Jorda Pand 'slepping stam This not only shortum the descent but avoids the wet cedar woods which after are implearants mount in the early season FFARRINGTON M. THOMPSON JOSEPH ALLEN MAYOR FRED M. GARTHWAIT The City of White Plains, N.H. FREDERICK C. MCLAUGHLIN CHARLES H.DEWSNAP JOHN T. REHILL PRESIDENT WILLIAM J.WEISE Common Council (2) in particular are finishing the trail on the Triad, begun two year ago an a memorial to Mr. John VanSantwood one former chair man. g am leaving for Which Plain tomorou, so will ask you to address me there. Very successly yours Chamman, Putto Committe Joseph Allen S.H.V.I.S. Bar Harbor, Maine, September 22, 1916. Dear Mr. Allen: Your knowledge of the Seal Harbor trails is founded upon uss; mine is not, and my approval of your plans needs expres- sion only because the Government has placed me in a position of responsibility in regard to what is done. In the old foot-ways trodden by a generation's feet and worked over by successive path committees formed of people who have loved to travel them, this first of eastern national parks has a feature of extraordinary interest that makes it at its crea- tion older in a human way than the oldest of the Government's great western ones. Your's sincerely,