CHANGES OF PERSONNEL

Since the last issue of Mesa Verde Notes a number of changes have occurred among the members of the park staff.

On August 1, 1939, Superintendent Jesse L. Nusbaum was transferred to the Regional Office in Santa Fe to assume the duties of the newly created office of Senior Archeologist of the National Park Service. In this position he will have general supervision over archeological work in the eleven western public land states. His work will consist of such matters as the granting of permits for excavation, enforcement of the Antiquities Act, coordination of archeological research of governmental and private agencies, supervision of interpretive programs for archeological areas, review of development plans of archeological areas and inspection of archeological areas proposed by the National Park Service.

Mr. Nusbaum first came to the Mesa Verde in 1908 to conduct a survey of the area. In 1911 he returned to excavate and repair Balcony House. He was appointed superintendent in 1921 and served until 1927 when he was granted leave of absence in order to act as technical adviser for the archeological expedition of Carnegie Institution at Chichen Itza, in Yucatan. In 1930 he again left the Mesa Verde, this time to act as Director of the Laboratory of Anthropology in Santa Fe. Six years later he returned to the superintendency of the park.

Mr. Paul R. Franke, Superintendent of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks was transferred to the Mesa Verde on August 1, 1939, to fill the position left vacant by Superintendent Nusbaum's transfer. Mr. Franke first entered the National Park Service in Mesa Verde. In 1928 and 1929 he served as temporary ranger. In 1930 he was appointed to the position of Assistant Park Naturalist, serving in that capacity until he was made Assistant Superintendent in 1936. On January 1, 1939 he was appointed to the Superintendency of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks where he served until his return to the Mesa Verde.

Numerous other changes have occurred among the park personnel. When Mr. Franke left the Mesa Verde Junior Park Naturalist Don Watson was appointed Assistant Park Naturalist. In August 1939, Mr. Thomas Jefferson Williams, Assistant Chief Ranger in Death Valley National Monument, was appointed Assistant Superintendent. On April 16, 1939, permanent ranger Frank J. Faha was appointed Chief Ranger to fill the vacancy created when Chief Ranger Chester R. Markley transferred to the Biological Survey. Other additions to the Mesa Verde Staff were made when permanent ranger Walter Sutherland of Yosemite National Park, was appointed to the position of permanent checking ranger on January 7, 1938, and Mr. Arvin Basnight, guard at Kill Devil Hill Memorial National Monument, was appointed permanent ranger in August 1939.