cafey Ellsworth, Maine, March 20th 1924. Hon. Herbert Work, Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Segretary:- A court seasion will prevent my attendance at the Park hearing March 26th. I are deeply interested in the Lafayette National Park. From my birth my home hns always been within night of its hills. Under Dr. Charles W. Eliot President, I was an officer of the public corporation that through many gifts, devises and purchases secured title to the Park and presented it to the Federal Government. I was much gratified when your prodecessor, the late Secretary Lane, visited and inspected the Park and again later when I saw the plan of Park roads approved, after careful examination, by the Park Service. These offi- cially approved ronda extend but a few miles through ten thousand nores of park land. They are however admirably planned 80 as to afford protection to the Park and to make some of its beauties accessible to the great major- ity of us who from necessity or choice are not mountain climbers. I was especially pleased when George B. Dorr was appointed custodian of the Park and given charge of its roads. In public spirit, enthusiams, energy and integrity Mr. Dor% is rated by all who know him at one hundred per cent. Mr. Dorr WILD given explicit authority by the Park Service to raise money from private sources, and to proceed with the road construc- tion. This, without compensation or possibility of personal benefit, he proceeded to do. From generous and public spirited citizens he accured large contribution and has carried on the work precisely, I believe, in accordance with the officially approved plan. A short time ago I learned with natonishment that there was opposition to the continuance of the work on the roads FB officially planned and from some sources opposition to all Park roads. I believe that some part of all public parks should be made accessible to the public. This the opposition any is an erroneous theory. Objections from BOTO sources go only to details, Whether in respect to details any modification would improve the plan should of course be carefully considered, though to my mind no modification that has been suggested is necessary or desirable. I are mure that opposition to the road building plan an a whole is confined to a very, very small fractional part of the persons familiar with, and interested in the Park, and while sincere is not in the interest of the public. fundase Deary Very sincerely yours, LB Clears (sglowthurg)