comy August, I94I Mr.V.Roswell Ludgate National Park Service Richmond, Virginia Dear Mr.Ludgate, My old friend and school-mate, George Dorr, has told me that you were here the other day. I wish that I had known it at the time for I should like to have talked with you upon a subject which has been on my mind for several years, and which is now becoming an accute problem in Mt.Desert,-the re- opening of the vistas and views of this beautiful Island. I have been a summer resident of Mt.Desort since 1870. At that time the cutting of timber and forest fires had pretty well denuded the hills which were almost from their bases bare rock. The coming of summor people with their increasing inter- est in the beauties of the place, the reduction of fire hazards and improvements in discovering and checking fires enabled a now growth to start and cover rather completely the hills and shores; on the other hand the reduction of farm lands and open fields began and continues, so that now the golf courses offer almost the only real open spaces. Then came the building of roads followed by the developement of Acadia Park and scenic drives. At many points vistas were opened, and the ocean, the cliffs and slopes of the hills were revealed. A few years have passed, and now while some forests have gained in size and beauty a mass of useless growth has sprung up and is just tall enough to out off the vision of those who drive on the roads. that is sorely needed is the cutting of broad vistas Han through the rank wood stuff which persistently out off views mile after mile, discouraging visitors, and which will in time undo the very purpose for which the Park was created. Doubtless you have plans and a system for carrying this work through; the annual cost would amount to a very smell per- centage of the appropriation. May we not hope that the work will start in next winter so that open spaces and vistas may be re- captured before the growth gets too much headway. Yours sincerely