Dear Mr. Mather:

          On August 5, I addressed a letter to the Washington office advising of the intention of the Yosemite Valley Railroad, on account of their contract for hauling supplies and materials in connection with the building of the Exchequer Dam, to refuse to handle special train tourist business during the period of construction of the dam which will cover at least the summer seasons of 1925 and 1926, and I understand from Mr. Cammerer that a copy of this letter was forwarded to you.

          I am forwarding to you now a copy of a letter addressed by Mr. White, of the Yosemite Valley Railroad, to Mr. Hunkins, of the Yosemite Transportation System, officially notifying him of the discontinuation of special train service during this time.

          It seems to me that Mr. White is off on the wrong foot in this and that he is not making the effort to take care of Yosemite business that he should make.

          What little reputation the Yosemite Valley Railroad has, and a large percent of its earnings, have come to it through its Yosemite Travel. In view of that it hardly seems fair that now when apparently a more lucrative proposition comes to it the tendency should be towards restricting Yosemite business rather than encouraging it.

          It is certain that the Yosemite Valley Railroad is not undertaking to furnish materials and supplies to the Exchequer Dam under conditions other than at a very respectable profit. It seems to me that some of this additional return might well be put into the purchase or rental of sufficient additional equipment and employment of sufficient additional crews to handle special train service offered which, according to Mr. Hunkins, is anticipated will be heavier than usual next year. In fact, he advises me that he already has ten special train parties signed up which business would be lost to the park if Mr. White insists upon carrying out his proposed policy.

          I hardly think that Mr. White's suggestion that these parties be handled on regular equipment is a practicable one. In the first place, as you know, these parties are scheduled through the east on special trains which they do not care to leave at any time during their itinerary and schedules are made up in the east with that idea in view. To follow Mr. White's plan it would be necessary for them to leave their special trains at Merced and completely revamp their schedule increasing in each case the length of stay by a day at least. It is hardly probable that many of these parties will submit to this additional inconvenience and expense.

          I am writing this to again urge that when you are out on the coast you discuss this matter with officers of the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe and possibly also Mr. John Drum, who undoubtedly has considerable influence in the operation of the Yosemite Valley Railroad.

          It certainly looks to me as though Yosemite is getting the worst of it in this deal and that the Yosemite Valley Railroad is neglecting the park is neglecting the very institution that was responsible for the original building of the railroad and has kept it going.