Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1921-06-16


.ne canyon undoubtedly is the requirement. of the
nlln road. Only horse travel was permitted OH
'his road; directed the opening of the road to
motor travel and the public transportation serv-
.ee was changed from horse to motor-propeed
sehlcies' Since then the road has suffered great
deal from the heavy travel over it. Eight miles
III !ensth, 1t was paved in 1913 by the Santa Fe
ta.oau ~ order that an attractive trip might be
avaiiable for winter visitors. 1t was practically
worn out when taken over by US, and is only
single width and not adapted to two-way travel.
nave also submitted an estimate to commence
tne construction of rim road eastward from Ell
Iovar toward Desert View. Upon its completion
Within twosor three years, we will have a rim
road drive from Hermit Rest on the west of official
headquarters to Desert View distance of over
~ miles, For scenic beauty it will challenge COM
parson.
Inc estimates also include item for secur-
Ing right of way for the Ell Tovar-Desert View
Kim road. hope this expenditure Of government
1unds VIII not be necessary. feel that the priv
ate holdings which will be crossed by the pro.
posed road will be sufficiently benefited by its
construction to make it to the advantage of the
owners OF these lands to donate right Of way.
feel sure these owners are SO public spirited as
to take this point Of view, and that in donating
this right of way they not only benefting them
selves and Grand Canyon park but also the people
who visit the park.
In addition to the improvement and mainte-
nance work on the Rim road and other upkeep
work on the other park roads, the present Ell
Toyar-Desert View road has been widened
Strengthened. and resfaped for about one-half its
entire length. Many dangerous curves and grades
have been eliminated and the general condition
of the road improved.
IA complete telephone system which Will con.
meet the north and south rim of the CANYON and
the ranger stations that will be built for the
ranger force is one of our future needs This can
be postponed until next year. and have not in
ciudeo II IN my estimates to congress. 1t may be
practicable to connect the north and south rims
by wireless, either telephone or telegraph and
this question Is receiving careful study.
There are some developments planned by the
santa Re railroad in Grand canyon one of which
Is the construction of a water system which will
PROBABLY have for its source Bright Angel creek
on the north side OF the river, and possibly the
establishment OF small power plant on that
creek The establishment of an adequate water
supply 1or the south rim of the canyon is serious
problem and one that must soon be definitely
solved Water on the north rim near Bright Angel
folnt Is secured at present from several small
springs mat with little improvement will probably
be adequate In quantity and quality On the
south rim of the canyon, however, the hotel and
railroad have to haul their water by train from
Del Rio, about 125 miles distant. Every gallon Of
water has to come that distance. The tremendous
oaHy cost OF this Is at once apparent and the
great desirablity of installing some system nv
Whlch water can be pumped either from the floor
VI sAe eoAyous ABOUT mile below the surface Of
the rim, or from elsewhere Is obvious 1t ia an
parent that travel may sometime reach point
where with the present method of securing water
We VIII not De able to secure sufficient quantity
OF that precious fluid to supply each traveller.
Ihe organic act creating this park authorizes
us to negotiate with the county Of Coconino for
the purchase of its rights in the Bright Angel foil
road and TRAIL and to report congress the terms
upon which this property be secured An eff.
1or mas been made the past year to arrive at some
satisfactory basis Of settlement with the county of
Coconino for the transfer of the Bright Angel
tral, but thus far without definite results Orr
engineer department has, however made prelim.
mary examination Of the situation covering in
ract the entire trail situation In the park
PROBABLY the greatest problem confronting the
service upon its taking over the administration
OF the park was the existence Of the MANY claims
OF alleged mineral value Among these were the
CLAIMS located by Ralph III. Cameron which have
been In litigation for several years. Twenty-three
cameron claims have been declared invalid: Col.
den Eagle Cape Horn Wizard, Alder mill site
Willow mill site. Magician. Banjo Millionaire SEN
tinel Treasure, Peg Leg, Hill Top Sunfower. Lime
stone, Goldenola, Ida May Buttinsky, Cheyenne.
Dakotah. Bannock Apache. Folly Hermit, Gorge"