The Coconino sun., 1927-02-25


history of Grand Canyon National
Park. Although the first Of Amer
icass outstanding scenic spectacles To
be viewed by white men, it was one OF
the last to be included in the national
park system. 1t was in the year 1910,
or so years before the Pilgrims landi
ed at Plymouth, that the first Euroa
pean stood on the brink OF this sub
lime spectacle. 1t. was in 1872 that
congress, by creating the Yellowstone
National Park, recognized the policy
that the outstanding scenic features
Of the United States should be sci
aside for all time, "For the benefit
and enjoyment Of the people" How
eyer, it was not until February 26.
1919, that the Grand Canyon, Amer
ica's transcendent scenic exhibit, was
finally brought into the national park
system.
Just why this sublime spectacle
should wait so long for this recogni-
ton forms an interesting chapter IN
conservation history. In 1886, Ben
jamin Harrison, then senator from
Indiana, introduced the first bill to
give it a park status. However, a
long struggle developed between the
forces of conservation and those Of
local apathy, politics, and private min
ing, grazing, and power interests.
Finally in 1908, President Roosevelt
took matters in his own hands and set
it aside as a national monument.
There remains no doubt but that this
act saved at least the most interest
ing portions of the canyon for the
American people.
After taking its place among the
national parks of the country, the
Grand Canyon promptly became ore
of the major units of the system. The
public use Of the area, as revealed by
travel statistics, has increased III q
phenomenal manner. For instance,
records show that in 1919, total Of
1875 autos entered the park; while
III 1926, this had increased to 22,849.
Carefully kept records show that dur
ing the, season of 1926, a total of 140,-
252 persons entered the park, and for
the first year more than half reached
the rim by private means of travel.
Although business by rail has shown
a healthy increase the private motor
ist is the factor that has caused travel
figures to sky-rocket.
During the past eight years, the
national park service and the PARK
operators have been concerned chiefly
with keeping developments up to the
demands made by the constantly in
creasing number of visitors. Many
problems such as those of water sup
ply, power, sanitation, extension of
hotel facilities, public auto camps, ex
tension Of road and trail systems,
building of telephone lines, etc, have
either been solved or are in process of
solution.
The first problem settled was the
adoption Of a uniform plan Of devel-
opment. In order that buildings and
other improvements would not be To-
Gated in a haphazard manner during
the extension Of facilities, the opcr
ators and the government worked out
and agreed to definite plan of de-
velopmerlt. All work has been, and
will be, in accordance with this PLAN.
Perhaps the most interesting ac-
complishment has been the solution Of
the sanitation problem in the Grand
Canyon village. The problem con-
cerned the disposal of garbage and
sewage A modern incinerator Was
built BY the Santa Fe railroad, and all
refuse from the village is now burned
In 1925, congress appropriated $E2,
900 for the construction Of a sewerage
system. The government developed
the plant to a point where the raw
sewage is treated to a degree de-
fnanded by public health regulations.
The railroad then installed additional
units that purified the water com
pletely. Tests made since the plant
started in May, 1926, show that the
effluent at he end of treatment is
SO per cent pure, higher test than
the average city's water supply. This
effluent is used in generating steam,
for irrigation, and the operation of
public flush toilets. Water pipes car
rying this effluent are also cased IN
pipe; this eliminates all dan
ger Of mistaking them for domestic
water supply lines.
Each day there is hauled into the
Grand Canyon village, by rail, a total
Of 100000 gallons of water, as no
natural supply is available. Of this
amount, 65 900 gallons are reclaimed
at the sewage publication plant. The
cost of hauling water to the canyon Is
5000 per thousand gallons; thus it is
evident that saving Of about $500 90 |
per day is made by reclaiming sewage.
1t is impossible, in one short article,
10 give details Of all improvements
ii the park since it was created. How
ever, the construction Of new power
house by the Santa Fe railroad at a
cost of $450,000, q new store built. by
Babbitt Brothers at cost Of $28, 900, |
avd fho n~talsIic l,v1,npf af pta,,4r.