Coolidge, Arizona
November 1, 1938

The Director,
National Park Service,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. Director,

The Condensed Report for the month of October, 1938, follows:

*Estimated

Anticipated decreases in the number of persons visiting the various stations of the Southwestern Monuments were realized during October as the autumn "between seasons" period was ushered in. Only Casa Grande, Gran Quivira, and Pipe Spring, of the monuments where accurate travel records are possible, showed increases over September. As compared with October, 1937, approximately 1,500 more persons visited our area. This slight increase, in view of the large number of stations where no visitor counts can be made, is not worthy of consideration.

000 GENERAL

010 Matters of Unusual Interest of Importance

Montezuma Castle: Need of bracing to prevent fall of ruin walls is becoming increasingly evident (see p. 308).

Natural Bridges: A well-preserved skeleton was found (see p. 322).

020 Weather

Killing frosts have occurred at the majority of the northern stations during the month. Snow flurries are reported from Chaco Canyon and the San Francisco Peaks region. In general, the weather has been pleasant over both northern and southern areas.

100 ADMINISTRATIVE

123 National Park Service Visitors

Aztec Ruins: L.T. McKinney, Mrs. Ruby Warheim, and Gordon Vivian.

Bandelier: Hugh Miller, Chas. Gable, A.H. Montgomery, Larry Miller, Jack Diehl, Chas. Richey, S.S. Kennedy, and M.F. Christensen.

Casa Grande: Jack Haile, Al. Kuehl, Ted Cronyn, and R. Lattimore.

Capulin Mountain: Hugh Miller and Jack Diehl.

Chaco Canyon: Dale King.

Chiricahua: Al Bicknell, Jack Haile, Al Kuehl, C. Carter.

El Morro: A. W. Shirley, Jack Diehl, L.T. McKinney.

Gran Quivira: Jack Diehl.

Headquarters: Jack Haile, Bill Stevenson, Ted Cronyn, Carl Wilder, John Cook, and Al Kuehl.

Pipe Spring: C.N. Gould, W.B. McDougall, H. Cornell, Al Kuehl, E.D. McKee, and Harold Hawkins.

Walnut Canyon: Al Kuehl, Harry Langley, C.N. Gould, W.B. McDougall, Jack Haile, H. Miller, D. King, C. Amsden, and J.H. Tovrea

Wupatki: Al Kuehl, Harry Langley, and Dale King.

White Sands: Milton Swatch, Chuck Richey, C.F. Gurner, Hub Chase, Jack Diehl, Ray Higgins, and Charles Gable.

140 Labor Situation

Aztec Ruins: The summer was one of prosperity for fruit growers.

Chiricahua: The rise in copper prices has benefitted miners (p. 295)

150 New Equipment

Casa Grande: A four-drawer filing cabinet and four sections of a sectional bookcase have been added to the office (see p. 310).

Chaco Canyon: A new water pump was installed and a new Ford pickup replaced the old car which was returned to headquarters (p. 304)

Headquarters: Completion of cabinets and their installation on the new museum truck put it in condition for use (see p. 328).

170 Plans, Maps, and Surveys

El Morro: A survey to establish the approved buildings and road is underway (see p. 317).

Wupatki: A topographic survey of this monument and Sunset Crater has been carried on during the month (see p. 290).

180 Circulars, Placards, and Publicity

Bandelier: The custodian gave a 15 minute talk over Radio Station KOB at Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 6 (see p. 298).

Canyon de Chelly: An article on Mummy Cave was carried by the last issue of Natural History Magazine (see p. 327).

Casa Grande: July "American Roofer" published story (see p. 327).

Headquarters: Three illustrated talks were given (see p. 327).

Wupatki: Tucson newspaper published feature story (see p. 327).

200 MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENTS, AND NEW CONSTRUCTION

210 Maintenance, Unusual

Capulin Mountain: One of the heaviest maintenance months on record witnessed removal of down trees, fence alternations, road repair, and culvert changes (see p. 320).

Saguaro: A general cleanup program temporary structures and put public concentration centers in fine condition (see p. 287).

220 Improvements

Bandelier: Oiling of the entrance road, and curbing and surfacing of industrial and residential area roads was completed (p. 297).

Chaco Canyon: Two new pit toilets and a coal house were constructed a new water pump was installed, and improvements were made in the custodian's residence (see p. 304).

El Morro: A much-needed addition to the house was made. (see p. 316).

Natural Bridges: A new trail was finished (see p. 321).

Saguaro: Approach roads to the south entrance are being improved.

White Sands: The administration parking area, utility roads, and the road into the sand-dune area were black-topped (see p. 283).

Wupatki: A stone water trough was completed by the CCC.

231 Construction

Bandelier: Operator's residence painting was completed, cabins of the "A" and "B" groups were plastered and plumbing installed in "B", electric wiring was placed in both groups, and the new comfort station walls were completed to viga height (see p. 283).

Casa Grande: The education building was nearly completed. Shop window ledges were poured and windows and doors hung. Warehouse window ledges were poured, the frames set, and exterior plastering completed. Inside walls of the oil house were plastered and the roof of the wash rack finished. Equipment shed walls were completed to the plate line. (see p. 310-11).

300 ACTIVITIES OF OTHER AGENCIES IN THE MONUMENTS

320 Cooperating agencies

Arches: The Utah State Highway Department has helped (see p. 336).

Canyon de Chelly: The Indian Irrigation Service aided in the repair of a water pump (see p. 318).

Chaco Canyon: The Soil Conservation Service has done fine work in preventing erosion and the washing away of ruins (see p. 302).

Saguaro: Fine cooperation has been received from the University of Arizona. (see p. 288).

350 Donations and Accessions

Headquarters: A long accession list appears on page 328.

Montezuma Castle: The skull of a water moccasin has been added to the museum exhibits. (see p. 307).

400 FLORA, FAUNA, AND NATURAL PHENOMENA

410 Ranger, Naturalist and guide service

Aztec Ruins: Reports of patrols to Hovenweep and Yucca House are given on pages 285-6.

Headquarters: An outline of naturalist activities for the month appears on pages 285-6.

Wupatki: Measurements of spring flow continued (see p. 290).

420 Museum Service

Bandelier: A number of labels were added (see p. 289).

Montezuma Castle: Four new life mounts of insects were installed. A study of public reaction to displays was continued (p. 306-7).

Tumacacori: An outline showing the status of displays in the new museum is given on page 313. Of the 26 exhibits, 15 are complete. Dr. E. Henry lectured to an audience of 65 on Indians of Southern Arizona on October 14 (see p. 314).

440 Insect Control

Bandelier: The custodian and forestry foreman spent two days in insect control work (see p. 299).

460 Birds

Bandelier: Juncos made their seasonal return and quail were observed near the Ceremonial Cave (see p. 298).

El Morro: One small owl became a cannibal (see p. 317).

Gran Quivira: Migration flights of small birds brought large numbers of feathered visitors to the station (see p. 294).

470 Other Animals

Capulin Mountains: Deer, squirrels, and porcupines were numerous. One bob cat was seen by the custodian (see p. 320).

Chiricahua: Red squirrels were more numerous this month (p. 296).

Bandelier: Many signs of bear, deer, and turkeys were seen (p. 298).

500 USE OF MONUMENT FACILITIES BY THE PUBLIC

510 Increase or Decrease of Travel

Travel fell off from September, but was slightly higher than during October, 1937 (see pgs. 277 and 334-35).

530 Newsworthy Visitors

Aztec Ruins: Assembly of the New Mexico Odd Fellows Grand Lodge brought 400 special visitors (see p. 284).

Canyon de Chelly: The Sierra Club of Southern California came in.

Chaco Canyon: Presidents of New Mexico's institutions of higher education and leading scientists visited the monument. Among them were Drs. J.F. Zimmerman, E.L. Hewett, E.H. Wells, H.W. James, and Gossard (see p. 303).

Montezuma Castle: P.K. Hooker of Washington, D. C.

Navajo: Earl Morris, A.R. Huyett, Dr. W. Rodgers, Alice Eastwood, J.T. Howell were monument visitors (see p. 312).

Headquarters: Ken Disher, James H. Wells, and M.E. Musgrave (p. 326).

Tumacacori: Among other notables were listed the following: Ken Disher, Dr. Norman Gable, Mary Stearns, and Dr. Emil Haury.

White Sands: C.G. Abbott of the Smithsonian Institution.

540 Camps

Casa Grande: Heavier travel and the arrival of cooler weather made the picnic area much more popular (see. p. 309).

600 PROTECTION

610 Police

Chiricahua: Boundaries were guarded and several deer hunters turned back. Local people have cooperated (see p. 295).

Saguaro: Boundaries were posted, and as much patrol has been carried on as was possible (see p. 288).

Wupatki: Traps stolen by an Indian from a government hunter were recovered (see p. 290).

620 Fire

Bandelier: Water in the fire suppression barrels was treated to prevent freezing. Several fire hazard instruction classes held (p. 300).

640 Destruction of Predators

Casa Grande: Two house cats were killed during the month.

El Morro: Six house cats were removed from the monument. (see p. 317).

Pipe Spring: Two house cats were killed. CCC boys bring them into camp for pets (see p. 293).

650 Signs

Arches: Two directional signs are badly needed (see p. 336).

Montezuma Castle: Thirteen "no hunting" signs were placed (p. 306).

Saguaro: Directional and informational signs need considerable repairing and relocating (see p. 287).

700 ARCHEOLOGY, HISTORY, AND PREHISTORY

El Morro: Preliminary work started in casting inscriptions (p. 316).

710 Ruins Stabilization

Aztec Ruins: Nine rooms were waterproofed (see pgs. 285 and 338).

Chaco Canyon: Mobile Unit activities required 386 man days and placed, in wall support, 16 cubic yards and 12 square yards of materials; five doorways were rebuilt, and steel wall-support beams were placed in two rooms. Capping required 104 square yards of material on walls and bench tops and nine square yards on vertical surface (see p. 337-38).

Hovenweep: Stabilization is badly needed (see p. 286).

Wupatki: Plans laid for instruction session (see p. 328).

900 MISCELLANEOUS

Arches: The road was washed out for the fifth time this season. (see p. 324).

Canyon de Chelly: Indians are harvesting their crops. They will soon be leaving the canyons to winter elsewhere (see p. 318). The Ganadao-Chin Lee approach road to the monument is being approved (see p. 319).

Chaco Canyon: Approach roads were in very bad condition during the month. Rock-braced-up-from-beneath measurements show a movement of about 1-1/4 inch during the year (see table of measurements on page 304).

Chiricahua: Range conditions in the vicinity have been exceptionally fine (see p. 295). Considerable road work has been done on the monument approaches (see p. 297). The strength of the CCC Camp, NM-2-A, was increased by 59 enrollees (see p. 295).

Montezuma Castle: Official weather recording station equipment was installed during the month. Approach roads have been in very bad re-routed and then surfaced (see p. 306-307).

MAIL COUNT: Official Mail Count for October, 1938.

Cordially,

Frank Pinkley,
Superintendent.