MOUNT RAINIER NEWS ITEMS.

AUTO FEE CUT.

Good news for motorists was contained in the announcement of the Interior Department on February 20, of a reduction from $2.50 to $1.00 in the fee charged for automobiles entering Mount Rainier National Park.

Entrance fees in six of the other larger parks were also reduced. Yellowstone was cut from $7.50 to $3.00; Yosemite, from $5.00 to $2.00; Glacier, $2.50 to $1.00; Crater Lake, from $2.50 to $1.00; Sequoia, $2.50 to $1.00 and Mesa Verde, from $1.50 to $1.00.

The automobile entrance fee charged in the national parks is similar to license fee exacted by the various states. Payment of this entrance fee in any national park permits the operation of the automobile upon all roads throughout the entire season. In addition motorists may use, without charge, the public camp grounds of the park, many of which are provided with electric lights, running water and other sanitary facilities, fire-wood and other conveniences.

In Mount Rainier National Park the entrance fee is charged from June 15, to September 15, when all roads are open to motorists and the camps, hotels and other accomodations are available. During the remainder of the year there is no charge.

FIRST SNOW SPORTS OF WINTER AT LONGMIRE SPRINGS.

For the first time this season "King Winter" favored visitors at Longmire Springs with sufficient snow for snow sports during the week-end and Washington's birthday period. Beginning during the afternoon of Saturday snow fell almost continuously until the evening of the 22nd. By Sunday noon there was 8 inches of new snow on the ground and the 800 visitors, who came during the day, thoroughly enjoyed the snow battles, toboggan slide, skii runs and Alaska dog sledge. During the same storm over 3 feet of new snow fell in Paradise Valley, which made the snow-shoe trip to that place somewhat of an endurance test for the 400 people who went there, but the enthusiasm of the returning hikers indicated that all were amply repaid by the abundance of snow found.

ALL WINTER HIKERS IN PARK REQUIRED TO REGISTER.

Owing to the fact that many people do not understand the difficulties encountered in hiking over the trails in winter, or the necessity for being properly equipped and prepared for sudden storms, notices have been posted in the park requesting all hikers to register at the information offices and obtain information from park rangers before starting out.