Letter from Henry F[airfield] Osborn to Robert J.Collier, 1910 Apr 6.

copy6 April,1910,br\u3eMy dear Mr. Collier:I have recently been staying California with John Muir and got into the Yosemite although I was unable to enter the Hetch Hetchy. I regret to [say?] that your attacks on Secretary Ballinger [include?] his attitude in the Hetch Hetchy matter, which I believe to be entirely correct and patriotic. I am convinced by Mr. Muir and by the recent report of my friend Director George Otis Smith of the U. S, Geological Survey that the appropriation of the Hetch Hetchy valley for reservoir purposes by the city of San Francisco is totally unnecessary and is partly animated by motives which will not bear close investigation, and would a piece of national vandalism of the rankest description. I [earnestly?] beg you, therefore, to reconsider your position on the question of this valley. If it were not somewhat overshadowed in beauty by its sister the Yosemite Valley, it would be considered one of the most beautiful things in the06259 whole world. The future development of the Yosemite region demands that a grand circular drive be made through the Yosemite around over the Tuolome Meadows, down ghrough the Hetch Hetchy Canon to Join the road at the entrance of Yesemite. This great drive, which has been thoroughly thought out by Mr. Muir, would be one of the grandest drives in the world, and steps are already being taken by Mr. Muir and others to raise money to build such a drive, which will cost a trifling sum in comparison with the glorious scenery which it will open up to the American people. Believe me,Always faithfully yours, [illegible]Mr, Robert J. Collier,Editor of Collier\u27s, Weekly.0625