FRANK PINKLEY, Sperintendent, Blackwater, Ariz.

By order of the director, given at the Yellowstone conference in October, 1923, I was
put in charge of the national monuments of the southwest. The change was made with
the idea of unifying the monument work and passing the problems from the various monu-
ments up to a local man who would be in touch with the local conditions, thus relieving
the already overcrowded Washington office of some work which could be better under-
stood and more economically handled from a field headquarters.

As a result of the creation of the new position, we custodians of the southwest are
losing the old feeling of isolation and are developing a team spirit which, I believe, is
very much for the good of the service.

The reports from the various monuments in this district follow:

Aztec Ruin National Monument is located in northwestern New Mexico near the Colo-
rado-New Mexico line. Mr. Earl Morris is the custodian at a nominal salary. Mr.
Morris was given a leave of absence during the year to supervise excavations in Central

America and Mr. P. T. Hudson, through funds furnished by the American Museum of Natural History, was retained at the monument as ranger in charge.

This monument was reserved to protect the ruin of the 500-room communal house of the well-known pueblo type which exists within its boundaries. Owing to a lack of funds no restoration or protection work could be done during the year. Further excavation is not needed. I have asked for an allotment for repairs during the fiscal year 1925 and included the salary of a custodian in the estimates for 1926.

Capulin Mountain National Monument, in northeastern New Mexico was, during the past year, under the charge of Custodian Homer J. Farr, who is being paid a nominal salary and resides 3 miles from the monument in the town of Capulin. The reservation was made to protect the magnificent example of a recently extinct volcano which rises about 8,000 feet above the sea level and stands about 1,500 feet above the general level of the surrounding plain.

No expenditures were made at Capulin Mountain during the year, but estimates have been passed for the building of a road if the local or State authorities will build and maintain an equally good road up to the monument boundary.

Carlsbad Cave National Monument, in southeastern New Mexico, is one of the recent additions to our monument system and promises to be of great interest.

The cavern has not yet been fully explored, but is thought to be one of the largest in the world and to contain some of the finest formations. Through funds furnished by the National Geographic Society a complete survey and exploration is being made of the cavern and the surrounding mountains, the party doing the work being under the charge of Dr. Willis T. Lee, of the United States Geological Survey. Dr. Lee acted as temporary custodian while the survey was being made. I have included a salary for a custodian in the estimates of 1926.

Under a special item of $5,000 which has been appropriated for the purpose it is hoped the cavern will be opened up for visitors during the next year.

Casa Grande National Monument, in south-central Arizona, has been my headquarters during the year. The prehistoric ruins which cover this monument are notable as being the last standing ruins of their type in the United States.

Because of our limited funds no excavation, repair, or restoration could be attempted during the year. Repair and restoration work is planned during the coming winter months. During the past year the regular administration work and the reception of visitors and explaining the ruins has been carried on. A helper was needed part of the

time, and we have provided for a full-time assistant next year.

Chaco Canyon National Monument, in northwestern New Mexico, is under the charge of Mr. A. C. Griffin, who receives a nominal salary.

As examples of prehistoric architectural skill the Chaco Canyon ruins are without equal in the whole United States. The ruin of Pueblo Bonito alone had between 700 and 1,000 rooms and has walls standing at present to a height of nearly 48 feet.

The National Geographic Society Pueblo Bonito Expedition under the direction of Doctor Judd has spent three years in the exploration of Pueblo Bonito ruin and contemplates two years of further exploration. This work will entail a large amount of restoration work on the part of the service which we plan to start during the fiscal year 1925. The publication of Doctor Judd's report upon the completion of his work will arouse a nation-wide interest in this monument, and I have included a salary for a fulltime custodian in the estimates of 1926.

El Morro National Monument lies 52 miles southeast of Gallup in northeastern New Mexico and is under the charge of Mr. E. Z. Vogt, of Ramah, N. Mex.

On the smooth face of the sandstone cliff of El Morro are the inscriptions of five of the early Spanish governors of New Mexico, as well as of many intrepid padres and soldiers who were among the first Europeans to visit this part of the world. Only a few dollars were expended on the monument during the year in repairing the trail, bridge, and fence. Further protection for the inscriptions is planned for 1925.

Gran Quivira National Monument in central New Mexico, under charge of Custodian W. H. Smith, is of special interest because its ruins lap from the prehistoric down into the historic period. The pueblo ruins now on this monument were inhabited long before the coming of the Spaniards, and the two mission churches were erected one in 1628-1630 and the other after 1650. The place was abandoned before the uprising of 1680. In cooperation with the American School of Archelogy, of Santa Fe, N. Mex., we fenced the portion of the monument covered by the ruins and excavated part of the pueblo and the later church in the summer of 1923.

Montezuma Castle National Monument, lying in central Arizona, under charge of Custodian Martin L. Jackson, of Camp Verde, is the most easily accessible cliff dwelling in a good state of preservation in the Southwest. Some repair work was done on the castle in the summers of 1923 and 1924. Mr. Jackson is paid a nominal salary and is rendering excellent service, but by the summer of 1926 the castle will have a large number of visitors and a resident custodian will be necessary.

The Natural Bridges National Monument is in southern Utah under charge of Custodian Zeke Johnson. This monument is reached by trail only and lack of funds has prevented any improvement of the trail. No money was expended at the monument during the past year.

The Navajo National Monument, in northern Arizona, is under the charge of Custodian John Wetherill and the three fine cliff dwellings on the monument form a most interesting exhibit. This monument has not yet come into its own, being so far back from the regular lines of travel, but a great increase of visitors is to be expected in the next two or three years, and protection in the way of a summer custodian should be planned for by 1928. Mr. Wetherill is receiving only a nominal salary and can not afford to give the time that will be needed for protection when the number of visitors increases. The Papago Saguaro National Monument, located in southern Arizona, is under the charge of Custodian J. E. McClain, who receives a nominal salary. Here we have reserved a typical section of desert scenery which forms a wonderful contrast with the waving alfalfa fields and beautiful orange groves of the reclaimed desert which surrounds it under the Roosevelt irrigation project.

The Petrified Forest National Monument, in northern Arizona, is under the charge of Custodian William Nelson, who is the only full-time man at work among the Southwestern Monuments aside from myself.

Mr. Nelson has erected a museum building during the past year and is gathering a collection of the most beautiful and interesting examples of the petrified wood which covers hundreds of acres of his monument. Mr. Nelson has also been able to add a great service to his visitors this year in a series of free lantern-slide lectures which he gives at night after a hard day's work in the field. A camp ground and water supply was developed during the winter and spring months so visitors could spend the night on the monument and, by making a two-day visit, get a much better appreciation of the world's best petrified forest.

Mr. Nelson's greatest need is ranger help to protect his monument from vandals and souvenir hunters.

Pipe Spring National Monument, in northwestern Arizona, has no custodian, due to a lack of funds. This monument, which is replete with the early history of the white settlement of the southwest, needs repair and restoration work on the stone buildings and a general cleaning up of fencing, cattle corrals, etc., which have been allowed to deface the landscape. Some of this work has been planned for the coming year.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument, in southern Utah, the largest natural bridge in. the world, has no custodian, and none is really necessary yet. It is reached only by trail with a pack outfit, and no money has been expended on the monument.

Tumacacori National Monument, in southern Arizona, again touches the mission period in the history of the southwest. This mission was first visited by Padre Kino in 1691,. and the present walls were erected about 1800. It is one of the most charming and interesting of the ruined missions in the United States.

An appropriation granted by the legislature of the State of Arizona, amounting to $1,000, was expended during the fall and winter of 1923, and $150 of Park Service funds were expended in the spring of 1924. This money was used in cleaning up and fencing the grounds, changing some unsightly fencing, repairing and restoring walls, installing a windmill, tank, and water system, and in various minor repairs. The property is under my charge, and no resident custodian is carried on the roll, although a partly paid custodian is badly needed.

The number of visitors at the various southwestern monuments during the past season has been as follows:

MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT

JOHN T. NEEDHAM, Custodian, Mill Valley, Calif.

The Muir Woods National Monument is situated 3 miles west of Mill Valley, Marin County, Calif. It is reached from San Francisco in a little over an hours' ride by ferry and electric train, connecting at Mill Valley with the Mount Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway, which deposits the visitor at Muir Inn, on the northern boundary of the reservation. It can also be reached over the automobile road from Mill Valley, a distance of 4 miles, as well as by several trails.

Muir Woods, so named in honor of the celebrated naturalist, John Muir, was created a national monument by presidential proclamation of January 9, 1908. by the late President Theodore Roosevelt. The original grant, containing 295 acres of land, was presented: to the Government by William Kent, of Kentfield, Calif., who subsequently, in September, 1921, gave an additional 78 acres, which, with 50 acres donated by the Mount Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway at the same time, makes its present area 423 acres. It was set aside in this manner to preserve for all time its virgin stand of the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens).

The monument is administered by a resident custodian, assisted on Sundays and holidays by two deputies, except during the four winter months. Laborers are employed from time to time to help put in improvements and clean up the grove after large gatherings during the height of the season.

It is imperative that the present boundary of the monument be extended 150 or 200 yards to the south to give adequate automobile parking ground on the reservation. This land is now used for this purpose through the kindness of the owner, but if for any reason the privilege ever be stopped there would be no suitable parking area whatever available. This extension would also include a picturesque grove of bay trees between the road and the stream.

Muir Woods is situated in the heart of a game sanctuary of several thousand acres extending from the Golden Gate on the south to Bolinas Bay on the north, and consequently wild life of all kinds is abundant. The deer in particular are very numerous and tame and are frequently observed by the visitors. The past February witnessed a remarkable run of steelhead trout in the creek.

Visitors to the monument from October 1, 1923, to September 30, 1924, inclusive, totaled 92,391.

PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT

San Benito County, Calif.

The Pinnacles National Monument is centrally located in San Benito County, 36% miles south of Hollister and 35%1⁄2 miles north of King City, Monterey County. Both reads from these cities lead to the Bear Gulch entrance to the monument, which is the only logical and convenient entrance for the public. The Pinnacles was set aside as a national monument by presidential proclamation January 16. 1908, of a total of 2,080 acres. May 7, 1923, a second proclamation was made embracing some vacant land

adjacent to the monument that contained some underlying caves and grottoes as well as some fine camping grounds 'with plenty of spring water, bringing the area up to 2,653.46 acres. July 2, 1924, a third proclamation was made, giving a total area of 2,980.26 acres.

This is the second season that tourists have been able to visit the monument since it has been created, as there had been no trails established or any efforts made to open up a passage. All visits in this locality prior to April, 1922, have been made to some privately owned land adjacent to the northwest corner of the monument. This condition was a big factor in holding up the development of the natural entrance to the monument.

The Pinnacles National Monument is composed of spirelike rocks that rise from 600 to over 1,000 feet and can be seen for many miles. There are caves, caverns, and grottoes underlying one another; these have been formed by huge masses of the rock falling into the canyons, leaving passages underneath where one can spend many hours in pleasant explorations. The formation is of volcanic nature, not of the lava form, but of an upheaval due to a terriffic heat below the earth's crust. There are many different colored mosses that grow on the rocks that lend a very beautiful color effect to the canyon walls and spires. Trees, shrubs, and an abundance of wild flowers thrive among the rocks.

An allotment of $600 was made for the building of needed trails in the monument, and 9,725 feet of dug trail and 27,245 feet of brushed trail were constructed. Several

small springs were found along the trail on which some development work was done, making them available for drinking purposes.

The construction of a good trail connecting the approach road with the monument trails made a strong impression on the county and its several organizations and emphasized the necessity of having a good road into the monument. The San Benito County Farm Bureau, led by Mr. W. I. Hawkins and Mr. Waldo Rohnert, raised $2,000 to start a road through Bear Gulch following the new trail. When this is completed visitors will be able to drive into the monument by automobile. The county supervisors then bought the right of way on the approach road, which was formerly a private road with five gates which had to be kept closed. The road will be widened and the gates will come off, cattle guards being installed in their place. By next May unhindered entrance will be available.

V. A. Petersen, whose property adjoins the monument, has opened a free camp ground at the mouth of Bear Gulch for the convenience of visitors. Furnishing wood and water gratis, Mr. Petersen is doing all that is possible to cooperate with the custodian in order to make visitation possible. Since this new camp has been installed travel has been very heavy.

The Pinnacles Monument was visited by 8,973 people during the year.

REPORT OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DIVISION

GEORGE E. GOODWIN, Chief Civil Engineer

As during the previous year, the efforts of the engineering division for the past year have been applied on many miscellaneous and incidental features of park work, which, although very essential, are but little apparent either in administrative or technical records or in the actual accomplishment of physical improvements.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION, FIELD SURVEYS, ETC.

Some of the physical field work accomplishments of the year have consisted of the construction by hired labor of about 2 miles of The Generals Highway between Hospital Rock and Giant Forest in Sequoia Park, and the following work done by contract forces: The completion of about 4 miles of the Transmountain Highway on the west side of Glacier National Park and the partial construction of about 8 miles of the Transmountain Highway on the east side of Glacier Park; the completion of about 2 miles of the Carbon River Extension Road in Mount Rainier National Park; the construction of a 180-foot, double-travel width, suspension bridge across the Nisqually River in Rainier National Park; the construction and reconstruction of about 6 miles of road in Zion National Park and the construction of abutments preparatory to the erection of a 200-foot steel bridge across the Virgin River for Zion National Park. The necessary field location and construction surveys have been made in connection with the above work and in addition there have also been over 60 miles of preliminary road location surveys made in Lassen Volcanic National Park; about 6 miles of final location and construction surveys have been made in Glacier National Park for the next unit of the Transmountain Road, and various other miscellaneous surveys have been made for structures, service roads, camp-ground roads, etc., in the different parks.

PLANS, ESTIMATES, REPORTS, ETC.

Incidental to the above work, plans and estimates have been made and specifications prepared, and for the contract work proposals have been circularized and bids received and specifications and contracts prepared. Examinations and reports have been made on a number of different minor projects and miscellaneous features of work. Standard road signs have been procured for the different national parks and surplus war materials available for transfer have been circularized. General and technical studies have been made of different matters and advisory reports submitted thereon. In addition to the above enumerated work there has been the usual supervisory work in connection with the field technical and contract forces and the general administrative work incidental to the activities of the engineering division.

REPORT OF THE LANDSCAPE ENGINEERING DIVISION, 1924

DANIEL R. HULL, Landscape Engineer

The work of the landscape engineering division has been increased from year to year until the season just closed made necessary more than ever extensive studies of the situation in the field. With headquarters in Los Angeles, where we have contact with.

the best architectural and engineering talent, plans have been prepared for many park projects. olg, due

Crater Lake has completed the hotel wing which was started last season, and several new Government buildings have been added for convenience of the public, one near the rim automobile camp, a community house for use of the public.

Sequoia has added materially to its automobile, camp in the way of public-comfort stations and driveways.

Grand Canyon has provided additional buildings in the Government industrial area, and also additional quarters for employees. The general plan for the future development of the El Tovar area, including community center and automobile camp, has recently been approved by Government, Santa Fe, and Harvey officials. It is expected that longdelayed improvements will result. The new community building planned by this office is now serving the local residents as well as the tourist.

Glacier has added several buildings to the industrial group plans which were prepared last year. A study of road conditions was made which has resulted in certain changes in future road programs with an idea of better landscape protection.

Hot Springs was visited early in May and a layout has been prepared for the area formerly occupied by the Arlington Hotel. Several shelters and public camp improvements were also planned.

Mesa Verde has added several structures to the plot plan which was prepared by the landscape division.

Mount Rainier has made automobile camp additions, also built residences for Government employees from plans prepared by this office.

Rocky Mountain's buildings and other improvements planned by this division during the past season should aid greatly in improving service to the public. Several log structures have been built which have attracted much favorable comment.

Yellowstone has continued the automobile camp extensions, also added several structures, among which is the much-used western entrance checking station. Hotel and camp operators have also made improvements along lines designated by the landscape division.

Yosemite has at present under construction the new village, and it is expected that with the beginning of another season little will be left where the old headquarters now stand. The buildings at Tuolumne Meadows have been constructed from plans outlined by this office and also the new checking station at Bridal Veil Falls.

Zion Park has an approved layout for a camp development which the Union Pacific Railroad expects to have in operation for next season. Bridge and road improvements have been made here also.

Wind Cave was visited this season for the first time by a representative of the landscape division, and the area above and below ground fully covered. It is hoped that funds will be available for developing a proper layout for the Wind Cave area.

Lafayette Park was visited for the first time also, and a study made of the varied interests it offers. Suggestions were made for roadways which are to be built across park lands and thought given to future requirements.

REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH SANITATION OF NATIONAL PARKS

H. B. HOMMON, Sanitary Engineer, U. S. P. H. S.

It is a pleasure to record the splendid progress made in the last three years in improving sanitation in national parks. The water supplies of the parks visited, with but very few exceptions, now meet the United States Treasury standard for purity of waters used on interstate carriers; rapid progress is being made in the installation of sewerage systems, modern treatment tanks, and sterilization plants; more satisfactory methods of garbage disposal are being worked out; general orderliness and cleanliness, which from the beginning were of a high order in hotels, camps, and other places handling foods and soft drinks, have been developed to an even higher degree; and mosquito-control work is being carried out effectively.

These results have been possible only through the active and efficient cooperation of the superintendents and a willingness on the part of the operators to carry out recommendations. With an increasing number of visitors going to the parks each year, however, it will require constant vigilance and continued effort on the part of all interests in the parks to maintain the high standards already reached, and to advance them still further as more money is appropriated for sanitary improvements.

On account of the short park season, the large number of parks, and the great distances between them, and the wide expanse of territory to be covered in the parks, and the fact that there is no way of knowing what parks will receive appropriations each year for sanitation or what operators will want to construct new hotels, camps, etc., it has not been possible to get out plans for sewerage systems and treatment plants and plans for other work of a sanitary nature in advance of the opening of each season. It would seem that better and more prompt results could be obtained if each year it were decided to concentrate efforts on securing appropriations for the sanitary work most needed in a definite number of parks, and to require operators to submit plans at least six months in advance of the time construction work is to begin. Such a plan of procedure would indicate what work would likely be carried out during the year, and plans could be prepared in advance of the time when construction is expected to start. No attempt has been made in this report to summarize the sanitary work in the individual parks, as this information will appear in the reports of the various superintendents.