REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 65 



The intention of the chief is to continue the work thus inaugurated 

 in Alaska, and to repair one of the old Indian villages for educa- 

 tional purposes. The former houses of the Alaska natives are now 

 rapidly going to destruction; Kasaan, one of the largest, was de- 

 serted and has been made a national monument but is suffering for 

 want of care. It is proposed to begin cleaning up this village, re- 

 pair it, in order to minimize the dangers from fire and vandals, and 

 put it in a condition to afford the greatest educational value to 

 future students and tourists. 



The first duty of the chief being administrative in nature much of 

 his time is taken up by details of office work, in which, unless assisted 

 by the members of the bureau, he would be greatly handicapped. 

 The work of answering letters has greatly increased in the last five 

 years, and the demands on the time of those engaged in it have been 

 greatly multipled. This has affected all members of the staff, but 

 it is very satisfactory to record that the letters in reply to inquiries 

 are treated with the greatest respect and are looked upon as authori- 

 tative by the recipients. 



When in Washington the chief has attended all meetings of the ad- 

 visory committee on publications and one or two other committees to 

 which he has been appointed. He has likewise accepted the welcome 

 duty of keeping in touch with all the archeological expeditions from 

 different institutions working on ruins in the area of the United 

 States in order that he might intelligently advise action to the sec- 

 retary on the requests for permits to carry on archeological excava- 

 tions, which each year are increasing in numbers. 



The chief has made strenuous efforts to continue his studies of 

 previous summers on the Mesa Verde National Park in cooperation 

 with the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior. 

 In July, August, and a part of September he was absent from Wash- 

 ington and completed the excavation of Pipe Shrine House, a build- 

 ing in the Mummy Lake group of mounds. An account of the initia- 

 tion of this work appeared in the report for last year. This excep- 

 tional ruin was completely repaired and is now open for inspection 

 of visitors. 



The excavation and repair of a circular tower situated 300 feet 

 from Far View House also engaged his attention from the middle 

 of July until the close of the season. The mound of stones cover- 

 ing this ruin was known as far back as 1915, but its hidden building 

 was not revealed until the close of June of the summer of 1922, when 

 it was found to be a tower with three subterranean rooms, called 

 kivas, which were evidently used for ceremonial purposes. Around 

 these rooms was formerly a crowded cemetery, of ancient date, 

 which led him to regard the whole area as a necropolis. The number 



