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Show 59 benefit to the pcoplc. 151 Also, they argued that federal control of public lands was antithetical to the foundation of American governance, that "the original 13 colonies had possessed their own territory." 152 But when it came to federal control of an area that would be managed as a national park, no voice of opposition made it into the press. Well before Zion Canyon was proposed as a national park, The Salt Lake Tribune and Deserer Evening News promoted Utah's economy and reputation by trumpeting the canyon as a tourist destination. When the park possibility was announced, support that could be classified as remnants of boosterism from the frontier press saw a resurgence as promotion of Zion in Joe.ti news columns grew in fervor and frequency. A Resurgence of Boosterism While Utahns anticipated President Wilson's signature, the number of visiting dignitaries to Zion Canyon increased along with advocacy for the national park. The flagging remnants of the booster press were rekindled in glowing descriptions of the "wonderland" and exaggerations about the case of travel in the region. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that "Transportation facilities have become so convenient that Zion's canyon [sic] ... may be considered just on the outskirts of Salt Lake."153 However, the roads were not so good that they could do without substantial funding from the federal government. m Deserel Evening News, "League ofl'ublic Land Stales," August 19, 1919. ISl Deserer Evening New.~, "Opposes l'lan," August 18, 1919. Suh Luke Tribune, 'l'ark Uanquet 10 lk Gala Event, Fight for Wonderland Is Won: November 23, 1919, 7. ISJ |
