Before taking up the Appalachian Park movement I was in communication with the Bee Tree Lumber Company for handling its mountain lands on Bee Tree, Reems Creek and Dillingham. My purpose in doing this was to sell the stumpage to the different operators here, and to sell the lands to the Government, embodying terms for the use of the water supply on Bee Treee by the City; also to secure for the Pine Burr Park Company, of which I am secretary, the water supply at the head of Reems Creek. I had gone over this in a general way with Mr. Hall, Assistant Forester, who told me that the Forest Service would be willing to take the matter up when I got it in shape.

I was on a commission by the Board of Aldermen last summer to investigate the Bee Tree watershed for the city. An option was secured from the owners, which the city allowed to expire. I talked this matter over with Mayor Rankin, and he sees no objection, and is perfectly willing for me to go ahead with the negociations under these conditions, thinking, as I do, that it may be a benefit to the city.

The Bee Tree Lumber Co., is now ready to turn the property over to me to sell for them on a 5% commission, and I do not want to go ahead with the negociations without advising you and others connected with the Association of what I am doing, in order that there may be no grounds for criticism hereafter, so that if there is any objection to what I am doing in this connection, it may be known before the matter goes any further.

I am writing to Mr. Hall of the Forest Service along the same lines, and sending him copy of this letter, also sending one to Mayor Ranking, and to Mr. Kistler, President of the Bee Tree Lumber Co.

With best wishes, I am