Its scientific value was also touted:
Near the center of the proposed park is situated Crater Lake, which is conceded by all who have visited it to be one of the greatest scenic wonders in the United States, if not in the known world. Increasing numbers of scientists visit it from year to year for the purpose of making additional investigations.[30]
The proposed park was “of such a character that it cannot be utilized for agricultural purposes.” [31] It was simply “a mountain, a little more than 9,000 feet in altitude, whose summit [has] been destroyed by volcanic action,” and was “now occupied by a a gigantic caldron [caldera] nearly 6 miles in diameter and 4,000 feet in depth.” In addition, Tongue hastened to assure his colleagues, the boundaries had been designed so as not to include any potentially valuable land. [32] Although large parts of the tract were covered with timber, it was mostly lodgepole pine not suitable for lumber and of little commercial value. [33] Tongue also made it clear that since “there are no settlers within the limits of the proposed park . . its establishment would in no way interfere with any vested or squatters’ rights. . .” [34] The object of the bill before Congress was “simply to withdraw this land from public settlement [to protect] its great beauty and great scientific value.” [35] In summary:
We are fully satisfied that the land designed to be set aside for the purpose contemplated by this bill is of such a character that it can not be utilized for agricultural purposes, nor with profit for any purpose of trade whatever, but is chiefly valuable for the purpose for which the proposed act seeks to appropriate it. [36]
Few members of the House opposed the preservation of Crater Lake, but they did wish to be certain that the park would protect no more than the wonder itself. John H. Stephens of Texas quizzed Representative Tongue about the potential for mineral deposits within the reserve proper, the bill as introduced prohibiting exploration for minerals. Tongue explained that this restriction was meant only to keep people from entering the reserve “under the name of prospecting” while their actual intent was to destroy the natural conditions of the park and the objects of beauty and interest. The House was skeptical, however, and forced Tongue to amend the bill to allow mining in the preserve. [37] Then the House reconsidered the motion and called for a vote. Thus amended, the Crater Lake Park bill cleared the House, passed the Senate without debate, and was signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt on May 22, 1902. Thus, after seventeen years of concerted effort by its admirers, our seventh national park came into existence.
***previous*** — ***next***
