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]
The following year Superintendent Thomson elaborated further on the administrative difficulties facing park management. The number of employees in the park ranged from a minimum of four in winter to a maximum of 75 in summer. Up to 70 temporary employees were added to the park rolls from June to October, including a maximum of ten rangers. Administrative problems facing the park included:
The Park season is from July 1st to September 20th but travel sets in when the road is free of snow in May or June and persists until snow permanently closes the Park in November or December. The rail head is Medford 79 miles from Park headquarters, the long truck haul of supplies and personnel adding to administrative difficulties and cost. The Park area is rugged and very heavily forested, presenting a serious fire hazard during the dry season. The heavy increase in travel has strained Park facilities, particularly as to campgrounds, water supply, and sanitation. In personnel we have been seriously cramped, being limited in permanent employees to a disbursing agent, a stenographer, and one permanent ranger.
