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be run in insulated coverings over the snow-fields and through iron pipe secured to the rocks.

BUREAU OF ASSOCIATED Mountaineering CluBS OF NORTH AMERICA During the summer of 1915, I visited the mountaineering clubs and geographical societies of the country and suggested the formation of an association for the furtherance of common aims, and for the establishment of headquarters in New York where mountaineering information might be collected and made available. The plan was outlined as follows:

It was proposed to form an association of clubs and societies, each of which shall co-operate through its secretary and transact its business by correspondence with the general secretary. Each club shall send its printed matter, which will be added to the collection of mountaineering literature established in the New York Public Library. An annual bulletin of information on the membership, officers, and activities of the leading organizations shall be issued. The secretary of each club will notify the general secretary of the movements of local members who have interesting slides, and who can address the members of the association at such times as they may be in different parts of the country.

One of the most important features of a club's activities is that of its library. Members shall be encouraged to read what is being done in the mountaineering world, for education in this direction is as essential to a true appreciation and enjoyment of mountaineering as is the work in the field. Copies of many of the new books in mountaineering will be sent to each club for review in its annual publication and bulletins, thereby materially assisting in the growth of its library.

It is believed that the existence of this association will have a valuable influence in many directions, and, occupying the field, its activities may expand as experience and occasion make desirable.

Meeting with a favorable response to the above ideas, I sent out a preliminary letter and received unofficial replies in approval of the plan. At the annual meeting of the American Alpine Club, held at the New York Public Library on January 8, 1916, I presented these letters and asked that the Councilors of the club be instructed to consider the plan and to send out an official letter to each club inviting it to become a member of the proposed association.

After due consideration, the Councilors of the American Alpine Club sent such a letter in March to the leading clubs, asking them to join in a Bureau of Associated Mountaineering Clubs of North America. Securing a majority of acceptances, they declared the plan in operation on May 2, 1916.

The first official act of the Bureau was the publication in May of a bulletin containing statistics of the membership, officers, and activities of the leading mountaineering clubs and geographical societies of the continent. The present membership of the Bureau comprises the following

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organizations. (Some others await the ammal meeting of their rec

tors.)

American Alpine Cith

American Geographical Society.
Appalachian Mountain Clith

British Columbia Mountamenting Citb,

Colorado Momma in Cak

Fresh Air Cib

Geographic Society of Chicago,

Geographical Society of Philadelphia

Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Cleb,

Mazamas,

Mountaineers,

Prairie Club,

Sierra Club,

United States National Parks Service.

A valuable reference collection of mountaineering books has been formed by the New York Public Library in the main building at 476 Fifth Avenue, and we have secured the deposit of the library of the American Alpine Club. The combined collection promises to become one of the most important in existence. A collection of photographs and enlargements of mountain scenery in all parts of the world is also being made, and contributions of mounted or unmounted views will be appreciatively received. LE ROY JEFFERS,

General Secretary

Through the Bureau of Associated Mountaineering Clubs our library has received the following new publications noted in the “Book Reviews": The Mountain, Through Glacier Park, Blackfeet Tales, Rambles in the Vaudese Alps, Our American Wonderland, Chronicles of the White Mountains, Camping and Woodcraft, and A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf.

BEAUTIFUL LAKE CHELAN

From Wenatchee a branch of the Great Northern runs on up the Columbia River, and after an hour and a half reaches the station of Chelan. We got out here and took a motor which climbed like a goat (it wasn't a Ford, either) up the cliff wall some hundreds of feet and ran along through the dusty sagebrush beside the edge of a deep cañon where the blue Chelan River foamed and roared below, till we reached the town of Chelan, at the foot of the lake of that name. Perhaps you have heard of Lake Chelan. We, being parochial New Englanders, never had. It is, however, probably the most beautiful lake in America. In fact, we are disposed to back it against all comers, Crater, Geneva, Como, Louise

Sanchez, at page 278, an account of the origin of the name is given. The river was named in 1805 by a Spanish exploring party, in honor of three wise men-“El Rio de los Santos Reyes" (The River of the Holy Kings). The account also includes a quotation from Gen. Fremont to the effect that he found the river called by the few Americans in California "Lake Fork," but that all of the Mexicans called the river “El Rio de los Reyes."

It appears that Mount King was named for Clarence King of the California Geological Survey.

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

The topographic map of the United States which is being prepared and issued by the United States Geological Survey, and with which most persons are familiar in the form of "atlas sheets" or "quadrangles," is now only about 40 per cent completed. At the present rate of progress, only about 0.8 per cent of the total area of the country is being mapped each year, and, with the revision which is necessary on maps already issued, nearly a century will be required for the completion of the work. At the suggestion of Professor W. M. Davis, Professor Emeritus of Geology, Harvard University, there has recently been formed a "Committee to Expedite the Completion of the Topographic Map of the United States." This committee proposes to do whatever it can to hasten the completion of the map and asks the aid of all interested parties.

The number of topographic engineers in this country who are qualified to do such mapping is limited; hence there cannot be indefinite expansion of the Survey's activities in this direction. But the present staff could be considerably increased if more funds were available for the work. Aid can be lent to the project by securing larger appropriations from Congress and from the legislatures of the states which are co-operating with the Survey.

The members of the Sierra Club make much use of the maps of the Survey, and should therefore be greatly interested in "expediting the map." Will not the members take it upon themselves individually to lend aid in this campaign by writing to their representatives in Congress asking for favorable consideration for the Survey's requests for appropriations? Further information can be secured by writing to Professor A. E. Burton, secretary of the committee, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts. TRACY I. STORER

WALKING TRIP BETWEEN LAKE TAHOE AND YOSEMITE

Any persons desirous of taking a two-weeks walking trip between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, During July, August, or September, may find it of interest to communicate with Mr. and Mrs. Richard Michaelis, Corte Madera, Cal.

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