SUMMARY SHOWS GAIN IN USE OF RECREATIONAL DEMONSTRATION AREAS

Substantial increases in all types of use are shown in a summary of camper days and visitor attendance during the calendar year 1939 for the Recreational Demonstration Areas of the eastern region. Figures compiled this month reveal that there was a total of 190,136 seasonal permit camper days as against 104,323 for 1938. Short-term camper days totaled 48,347 against 31,913. Totals for all camper days were 238,483 for 1939, and 136,236 for 1938.

The total of visitors recorded at the areas was 832,143. Incomplete figures for 1938 showed 472,459.

LEE AND JACKSON JOIN HANDS IN FREDERICKSBURG GIFT BOOK

The Life of Stonewall Jackson, autographed by its one-time owner, "R. E. Lee, May 3, 1867," has been donated to the museum of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Virginia by Roland L. Taylor, Philadelphia financier.

On a flyleaf of the volume is an autograph of Stonewall Jackson which, it is believed, General Lee cut from a letter or order and pasted in. It reads, Respectfully, T. J. Jackson." A penned note on another flyleaf points out: "This volume was the first from the press. Ayres and Wade, Richmond, 1863." Of even greater historical importance is an original map of the Chancellorsville battlefield, drawn and initialed by Jackson, which also had been pasted into the front of the book.

CALIFORNIA PROHIBITS 'COMMERCIALIZATION' OF STATE PARKS

The California Legislature, at its last session, adopted a concur rent resolution establishing a policy concerning state park concessions:

"That this Legislature approves the policy of avoiding exploitation or commercialization of State Parks through developments of the hotel or cabin resort type, wherever such developments can reasonably be shown to be in competition with private enterprise; and that, when existing concession agreements do not conform to this general policy, this Legislature believes they should be abandoned at the expiration of the existing concession agreements; provided that for the convenience of the public wishing to enjoy the beauties of nature and wholesome outdoor life in our State parks, this body recognizes the need for State operated campgrounds so located and developed as not to lessen the attractiveness of the parks, with such concessions as are necessary to the comfort and convenience of the public, where this need cannot reasonably be met by private enterprise; and this body further recognizes the reasonableness of moderate fees to help meet the cost to the State of special uses of facilities in the parks, at the same time believing that emphasis be placed upon the protection of the parks, rather than dependence upon revenues derived thereform."