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To learn more about Crater Lake and this collection, read our Notes from the National Park Vagabond, Valerie Naylor
George B. Cortelyou notifies Representative Tongue that President Roosevelt has approved H. R. 4393, which establishes a national park at Crater Lake, Oregon. Cortelyou also sends the pen used to sign the bill.
1902-05-24
Gifford Pinchot appreciates the invitation to visit Crater Lake, but is sorry to decline the invitation because his schedule will not allow a visit.
1910-07-13
Charles H. Sholes responds to W. G. Steel’s resignation from the Mazamas in response to the controversy that arose when President Roosevelt was nominated for honorary membership. Sholes is surprised and hurt by Steel’s resignation, and feels that he bears just as much responsibility as Steel for the controversy. Sholes would like to know why Steel insists on resigning, and wants to know if anything can be done to remedy the situation.
1906-09-09
W. G. Steel submits his resignation as a member of the Mazamas.
1906-08-30
Charles H. Sholes, Edmund P. Sheldon, and M. W. Gorman, all members of the Mazamas in Portland, write to F. C. Little, Recording Secretary of Mazamas, submitting Theodore Roosevelt’s name as an honorary member of the Mazamas, to be voted on at the October meeting.
1906-08-27
Theodore Roosevelt explains to President Charles H. Sholes how he came to accept honorary membership to the American Alpine Club but not to the Mazamas. Roosevelt asks that the matter is not given any publicity.
1906-05-22
Corresponding Secretary W. G. Steel has not received acknowledgment of his letter from April 9th and sends it again. The offer of honorary membership to the Mazamas has not been met cordially, and lack of acknowledgment to this letter will lead to the assumption that President Roosevelt desires to “to snub” the club.
1906-05-14
Corresponding Secretary W. G. Steel asks President Theodore Roosevelt why he refused honorary membership in the Mazamas, a mountain climbing club but accepted it from the American Alpine Club. Steel references an enclosed piece of correspondence.
1906-04-09
William Loeb notifies Henry G. Bryant that President Roosevelt gladly accepts honorary membership in the American Alpine Club.
1906-02-28
Benjamin F. Barnes informs W. G. Steel that President Roosevelt declines the offer of honorary membership in the Mazamas. Roosevelt appreciates the courtesy but has made it a personal rule not to accept membership in organizations in which he cannot take an active role due to his public duties.
1905-08-24
Corresponding Secretary W. G. Steel extends to President Theodore Roosevelt an offer of honorary membership in the Mazamas, a mountain climbing club. The induction would recognize Roosevelt’s lifelong interest in natural conservation and his role in creating Crater Lake National Park. Steel describes the club’s history and the parameters of honorary membership and requests permission to submit Roosevelt’s name for election at the next annual meeting.
1905-08-17
The Oregonian relays the content of President Theodore Roosevelt’s speech to the Forestry Association in Washington, D.C. Roosevelt declares the forest problem to be “the most vital internal problem of the United States.” In addition to preserving the beauty and habitats of forests, he calls for preservation because it will maintain and increase the nation’s prosperity in the agriculture, mining, lumber, transportation, manufacturing, and commerce industries. He asserts that conservation hinges not on government policy but on the American people’s belief that “forestry is the preservation of forests by wise use,” not the discontinuation of that use.
1903-04-10
W. G. Steel seriously objects to having Crater Lake National Park used for the political benefit of one man, as he thinks the Cascade Range Forest Reserve has been used by Binger Herman, Commissioner of the General Land Office. Steel suggests that management of Crater Lake be turned over to the Geological Survey, where he thinks it will be honestly administered.
1902-06-23
Representative Tongue is glad that W. G. Steel received the pen used to sign the act establishing a national park at Crater Lake.
1902-06-04
W. G. Steel, the prime mover in petitioning Congress to establish a National Park at Crater Lake, Oregon, was notified by Congressman Thomas H. Tongue that President Roosevelt had approved the act of Congress creating the park. Tongue also sent Steel the pen that was used in signing the act.
1902-06-02
Representative Tongue received a package from the White House and mailed it on to W. G. Steel without opening it. Tongue believes the package contained the pen with which President Roosevelt signed the Crater Lake Bill. Within the package, Steel should find a note stating the date of the signing.
1902-05-27
Representative Tongue has received W. G. Steel’s letter from the 12th and will consult with the Geological Survey. Tongue hopes to be able to obtain the pen used to sign the Crater Lake bill for Steel.
1902-05-17
Representative Tongue responds to W. G. Steel’s invitation to Crater Lake. Frederick Newell of the Geological Survey will be attending, and he will inquire if Gifford Pinchot is also attending. Tongue writes that he will attend himself if he is able.
1902-05-15
George B. Cortelyou informs W. G. Steel that President Roosevelt cannot accept Steel’s invitation to attend the outing this year but his “kindly expressions are appreciated.”
1902-05-15
Gifford Pinchot thanks W. G. Steel for the letter. Pinchot is glad the Crater Lake bill has gotten so far and is confident that President Roosevelt will sign it.
1902-05-15