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Show 96 News, "The state administration sees no necessity for including this [state-owned] section in the park except possibly a few square yards which may descend into the canyon proper."279 Those " few square yards" were the extent of the "worthless lands" in the section - terrain too rugged for purposes other than scenery. State officials wanted the national park. They just wanted it on land that could be considered "useless scenery." The Deseret News article continued: "The section occupies a strategic position overlooking the park from the rim and is an advantageous site for hotels and camp grounds [sic]."280 Based on that potential, the governor opposed the lcgislation.2111 Throughout Bryce Canyon's legislative journey, the national park idea was presented in the local press as primarily an economic venture. The push by politicians and business leaders to cast the state capital as a gateway to America's scenery came with the implication of tourist dollars. At the beginning of each tourist season - the " million dollar" travel season as the Deserer News called it - local newspapers prcdiclcd record crowds al 1hc state's national parks and at Yellowstone, particularly tourists visiting via the western cntrance.282 "Since Salt Lake is really the gateway to this entrance it means immeasurable good locally," the Deseret News argued. 2~3 Increasingly, business meetings and conventions in Utah included an excursion to Zion and, if time allowed, Bryce. The Utah Press Association, state bankers, and real m Deseret News, "Utah May Void Hill," June 5, 1924. 210 lbid. 211 Ibid. 282 Deserel News, "Yellowstone Gate to Open, S. L. Greets Tourists Today," June 18, 1924, sec. I, I. 111 Deseret News, "Record l'redicted for Ycllows1onc," J une 20, 1924, ~ec. I, 2. |
