Whether the author of the famous poem proclaiming "Only God can make a tree . . . " opposed clearcutting or was simply a nature enthusiast is irrelevant. The essence of the thought seems to have been overlooked by a Congress that would effectively destroy entire forests in the rush to cut park budgets by giving away the land.

As LASN went to press with its October issue on "Parks," HR 260 (Rep. Joel Hefley, R-CO) that would set up a parks closure commission was awaiting consideration on the House floor. As of . . . . , the fate of the National Park System has still not been decided. A Senate version (S 1144) authored by Energy Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK), which includes park concessioners and entrance fees, may be heard first.

Should either measure pass, the most vulnerable parks would be:

• Parks created for historical significance

• National seashores and lakeshores, like Cape Cod, Padre Island, and Cape Hatteras

• Parks in cities, such as Golden Gate, Gate- way, Chattahoochee, and Santa Monica National Recreation Areas

According to The Wilderness Society's legislative brief, Hansen denies saying 150 units could be "dropped," a comment attributed to him by the Nevada press.

With regard to roadway development, LASN's cover theme this month, it may be opportune to recall that the longest-serving Director of the National Park Service, Conrad Wirth, was a staunch opponent of proposals to run freeways through parklands.

Caption for Conrad Wirth portrait: Mission 66, Conrad Wirth's 10-year revitalization plan to recover the National Park Service from post-WWII budgetary neglect in time for its 50th anniversary, included no plans to route roads through the parklands.