One week later, on May 24, Albright responded to Sparrow’s letter by supporting the recommendations of the superintendent. He went on to state:
There is no likelihood of Congress authorizing the construction of the new administration building this year. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to put the buildings we now have to the use that best meets the convenience of the superintendent and the more important park interests.
You are authorized, therefore, to assign the small building heretofore occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Momyer to Commissioner Steel and his wife, and to utilize the superintendent’s residence as you see fit, permitting Mr. and Mrs. Momyer to reside in part of the building and utilizing another part of it for your offices as seems best to you.
Last summer when I was in the park you will recall that I told Mr. Momyer to remain in the cottage where he was then living. I gave him these instructions after he had apparently told Mr. Steel that he would have to move out of the superintendent’s residence. My object in taking this action was to let Mr. Momyer clearly understand that he was not in charge of the park and that no disposition should be made of public buildings until after you had assumed control.
With further reference to Mr. Steel, I would observe that it is probably your duty to urge Mr. Steel to remain in the park during the entire tourist season. Congress authorized the appointment of a Commissioner to reside in the park in order to make it possible to promptly punish violations of the rules and regulations to points outside of the park, for trial before a U.S. Commissioner or a Federal Court. If the purpose of the Crater Lake Jurisdiction Act is not to be defeated Mr. Steel must remain in the park throughout the season, and as long thereafter as there is any danger of depredations being committed upon any of the natural features of the park.[39]
During the next several years the park staff increased slowly. In 1918 the number of employees was expanded to include one permanent ranger at headquarters, who manned the Anna Spring checking station during the summer, three seasonal mounted patrol rangers, three seasonal rangers at the entrance checking stations, and one temporary clerk-stenographer. [40]
By 1923 the park staff had expanded further. That year Superintendent Thomson described the park organization as follows:
The superintendent is the park executive. A clerk and a chief ranger assist him throughout the year, and during the travel season 6 additional rangers and about 50 men are employed. The superintendent directs all park activities except the United States commissioner’s court and the post office; he also supervises public utilities. [41]
It was determined in 1923 to move gradually the park headquarters to what would become known as Government Camp in the Munson Valley area of the park.
Continuing low appropriations during the 1920s prevented the development of an adequate administrative staff and facilities at Crater Lake. In 1927, for instance, Superintendent Thomson observed that the park was “not abreast with requirements administratively, being among the most backward in this respect of any of the large parks.” There was “a shortage of permanent and of temporary personnel and a regrettable lack of administrative facilities.” There was, for example, just one employee’s cabin which had been built that year. The park needed additional employee housing, a new bunk house and kitchen for work crews, mechanical snow equipment, several new trucks to replace worn-out vehicles that had been derived from war surplus, a new administrative building to replace the present unfit small log structure, warehouse and garage facilities, and expanded sewage disposal facilities. [42]
