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Show 106 to the national parks of the west [sic]."316 This editorial also gave a subtle look at how the national park idea was perceived locally and what a visitor to a national park should expect: Under the direction of Stephen T. Mather, director of national parks, elaborate service has been provided for the comfort and convenience of visitors. A trip into the scenic spots of the west [sic] is no longer a rough adventure, for the national parks service [sic] has anticipated the needs of the visitor. Mr. Mather, undoubtedly, is entitled to great credit for the progress shown in park development in the past few years. 317 Implicit in 1his story was the effort to tame the wilds of the national parks, making them a safe and comfortable place - like a zoo where visitors could sec lhc wilderness but be protected from it Before Utah's next national park was established, however, this conceptualization of the national park idea would be challenged. And the ensuing debate would change how journalists reported on the nation's public lands. These changes would occur slowly. For now, the journalism showed a continued decline in boosterism associated with the national park. The decline did not mean the state's newspapers were free of superlative sales pitches for the state, but the boosterism began to move from the voice of the journalists to the voices of their sources. Granted, the journalists chose to report these sources while avoiding those who would have contributed an environmental element to the construction of the national park idea. The 316 Salt lake Tribune, "National Playgrounds,'' September 23, 1928, main news section, third part, 2. 317 Ibid. |
