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January 12, 1938 Merced Sun-Star Sacramento, (U.P.)-The federal government filed suit in United States district court today. It is seeking to acquire by condemnation approximately 7800 acres of timber in Tuolumne and Mariposa counties for addition to Yosemite national Park. The action was filed by U. S. Attorney Frank J. Hennessy under authority of an act passed by congress at the 1937 session. The Yosemite Sugar Pine Lumber company, the Yosemite Power company, the state of California, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties, Steve and George Cuneo and others were named defendants. The congressional act authorized the secretary of interior to institute condemnation proceedings to acquire the Sierra Timberland, which conservationists insisted was being denuded by logging operations. The government's complaint described the land as one of the greatest natural wonders in North America, and said the action was intended to preserve beauties as an inspiration to the people. Previous attempts to buy the land through direct negotiations were unavailing because the owners would not quote a "reasonable" price, the complaint set forth. |
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May 24, 1938 Merced Sun-Star MERCED FALLS (Special) - Reopening of the Yosemite Sugar Pine Lumber company's plant in Merced Falls Monday was announced by Herbert W. Matthews, superintendent. A crew of 350 men went to work in the sawmill, planing mill, box factory, shipping department and the yard. Approximately 250 are employed in the back woods cutting lumber , according to Matthews. Work Tonight One shift heralded the commencement of the lumber season. Tonight a sawmill crew of 32 men will go on eight-hour night shift. Operations are on the same scale as last year, Matthews declared. Seventy-five to 80 men are employed in the planing mill and large numbers in the yard handling dry and green lumber. Railroad Trip In the timber, work was resumed where operations stopped at the end of last season. Logs are transported into Merced Falls via the Yosemite Valley railroad. Most of last year's crew of plant worker have come back to work, according to Matthews, less than a dozen new men working in the lumber mill. |