Park visitation had multiplied “seven or eight times” during the past two decades, while appropriations had “little more than doubled.” Thus, the “disparity between administration and demands upon it” was “becoming increasingly apparent.” [43]
During 1929-30 the park staff was organized into departments, each with clearly defined responsibilities under the supervision of Superintendent Solinsky. The park’s organization reflected the expanded scope and increasing complexity of park operations. The administrative department employed a chief clerk and a senior stenographer. This office staff was augmented during the summer by two clerk-stenographers and one telephone operator. These personnel handled general office work, correspondence, financial matters, information, timekeeping, and other administrative duties. The engineering department was in charge of Engineer Ward P. Webber who was connected with the Park Service field headquarters office in San Francisco and loaned to the park during the travel season This department was in charge of roads and trails and improvements and maintenance, snow removal, and building construction and maintenance. The sanitation department, consisting of four men, handled garbage and refuse removal and kept the campgrounds clean. The protection department headed by Chief Ranger W.C. Godfrey included ten to twelve seasonal rangers whose duties were road patrol, information, guide, and lecture service, compilation of travel statistics, communications and campground services, entrance travel checking, fish planting, wildlife protection, and insect and fire control. The information or educational department, which was in charge of lecture, guide, interpretive, and museum services, was under the supervision of Park Naturalist Earl U. Homuth (replaced by F. Lyle Wynd in July 1930), assisted by three temporary ranger naturalists. A master mechanic headed the mechanical department (consisting of two to three seasonal mechanics) and was responsible for keeping park vehicles, trucks, and equipment in repair. The maximum number of employees on the work-force at one time in 1930 was 160. [44]
Medical and first-aid services were provided in the park for employees, as well as visitors, for the first time during the summer of 1930. Dr. Fred N. Miller, head of the University of Oregon’s health service program, provided such services under contract. His sister Elizabeth Miller, who was affiliated with the Public Health Service of the Pennsylvania State Department of Health, aided Miller during the summer season. Tents were set up at Government Camp, the park headquarters area at Anna Spring, where the medical services were dispensed. Miller would continue to provide such services during the summer seasons under contract until the early 1940s when he engaged in medical services for the war effort. Throughout this period in the park he was paid by monthly deductions from the paychecks of employees of the park, concessioner, and road contractors operating in the park. [45]
The park staff continued to expand during the early 1930s. A park personnel list from 1932 indicated that the staff consisted of 8 permanent and 22 temporary positions. The permanent positions were superintendent, chief clerk, associate park naturalist, chief ranger, general park mechanic, two park rangers, and senior stenographer. The temporary positions were senior stenographer, assistant clerk, junior stenographer, clerk-telephone operator, twelve park rangers, three ranger-naturalists, two fire guards, and one storekeeper. Approximately 220 per diem employees were employed on park construction and maintenance projects during the year. [46]
The administrative work of Crater Lake National Park was increased greatly in August 1933 as a result of the placement of Oregon Caves and Lava Beds national monuments under the supervision of the park superintendent. The two monuments were transferred to the National Park Service from the U.S. Forest Service as part of the government-wide reorganization under Executive Order 6166 issued on June 10, 1933. While funds for the administration of these areas did not become available until July 1, 1934, Ranger Don C. Fisher, by a transfer of funds, was stationed at Lava Beds by June 1, 1934, and Breynton Finch, a veteran temporary park ranger, was assigned to Oregon Caves. [47]
