The economic downturn of the Great Depression had a major impact on the park staff during the fall of 1933. After the park staff was analyzed in terms of park needs by Superintendent Solinsky under directives issued by the Bureau of the Budget seven permanent and twenty-two seasonal or temporary positions were retained. These included the permanent positions of superintendent, chief clerk, senior stenographer, chief park ranger, general park mechanic, associate park naturalist, and park ranger. The seasonal/temporary positions were: park ranger naturalist (4); park ranger (9); park ranger checker; senior stenographer; storekeeper; and assistant storekeeper. [48]
Investigations of park financial affairs and operations were begun in March 1934 by agents of the Division of Investigation created by Secretary of the Interior Ickes. Two accountants from the General Accounting Office arrived in June to make an examination of park financial records. As a result of the preliminary investigations three men were suspended from the park staff by Ickes without pay pending further study–Superintendent Solinsky and Chief Clerk A.R. Edwin on May 15 and Superintendent of Construction I. F. Davidson on June 8. On August 30 the three men were given involuntary dismissals. David H. Canfield, former chief park ranger, was named as acting interim superintendent. [49]
The investigations by the General Accounting Office auditors and Division of Investigation agents continued for some thirteen months. In December 1934 Solinsky, Edwin, and Davidson were indicted on charges of conspiring to falsify park payrolls from May through October 1932 and presenting false claims against the government which were paid by Edwin as park disbursing officer. The total fraudulent proceeds charged to Solinsky were approximately $3,000, a sum which he apparently used to construct a residence in Medford. At the trial which began in April, Edwin and Davidson pleaded guilty to the charges and testified against Solinsky. Defense attorneys contended that Solinsky was the victim of government red tape and had condoned accounting irregularities at the park to better visitor services, purchase new equipment, and construct a new park boat. On April 30, however, Solinsky was found guilty on fourteen counts, and on May 4 he received a two-year sentence at the McNeil Island Federal Prison and a $2,500 fine. Edwin and Davidson received lesser sentences of thirteen and eight months, respectively. [50]
The investigations and scandal had a major impact on park administration and operations. In July 1935 Superintendent Canfield observed that an almost complete turnover in key personnel had occurred:
Directly or indirectly resulting from investigations of park affairs the superintendent, chief clerk, chief ranger, permanent ranger, superintendent of construction, and storekeeper changed, making smooth operation difficult until such time as the new appointees are thoroughly broken in. . . . [51]
