GREETINGS TO THE READERS OF MESA VERDE NOTES

As the new superintendent in charge of the Mesa Verde National Park I take this method and this opportunity of extending greetings to park friends in the first issue of the Nature notes for the 1934 season.

As perhaps many of you know, I assumed charge of the Mesa Verde National Park on December 18, 1933, by transferring from the superintendency of the Hawaii National Park where I had been in charge for approximately three years. Prior to that time I was stationed at Yosemite National Park for approximately twenty years as assistant superintendent. In taking charge of Mesa Verde I succeed Mr. C. Marshall Finnan, who was transferred to Washington, D.C. and promoted to the superintendency of the Capitol City Parks there.

Former superintendents Jesse L. Nusbaum and C. Marshall Finnan have made a record in the Mesa Verde National Park that is an enviable one. I shall strive my best to keep up their good record. The policies which they have adopted for the operation and development of the park will be continued by me. I shall be glad to avail myself of their assistance and advice whenever practicable. It will be my privilege to carry on where Mr. Finnan left off.

In the few short months that I have been in charge here I have already learned to love the region. It is a beautiful and interesting one. Mesa Verde is perhaps the most dramatic of any in the large family of parks.

The park is on the eve of a great development, that will add comfort, pleasure and convenience to park visitors. A new deep well water system has been completed that will insure an adequate water supply for all park needs. The installation of a sewer system and the gravelling and oiling of ruins and headquarters roads, the development of camp grounds, additions to the museum and administration buildings, utility area development, etc., is under way.

To all of my old friends in the service and elsewhere I extend a cordial invitation to visit Mesa Verde. It will be a pleasure to greet you here. I know you will enjoy your visit. To the new friends I extend an equally cordial invitation. It is my desire to meet as many of the friends of Mesa Verde National Park as I can. This is a National Park year and travel is far ahead of last year. I hope that 1934 will be the best year ever in the history Of Mesa Verde. With your help I am sure we can make it so.

Ernest P. Leavitt.