' REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 57 



bolism of the totem poles, the character of the houses, distribution 

 of clans, and whatever scientific data can be obtained from those still 

 living who once inhabited these villages. This line of investigation 

 appeals very strongly to the chief from his knowledge of the growth 

 in interest of the Mesa Verde National Park. In 1908, when he began 

 work on this park, only 25 tourists visited the Mesa Verde ; this year, 

 1922, the number will reach 4,500. This shows a gTeat growth of 

 interest in the work being done there ; and, as many tourists now seek 

 Alaska in their summer vacation, one of these villages repaired would 

 attract many visitors. It is proposed to continue this work next 

 summer with an enlarged appropriation. 



The work of the bureau in other lines has gone on with customary 

 vigor. The chief has repeatedly emphasized the necessity of rescu- 

 ing- the linguistic and sociological data of those Indian stocks that 

 are rapidly disappearing. It would be culpable if any of these 

 languages should vanish completely without some record. Interest 

 in the aborigines of this continent has greatly increased in the last 

 years, especially on account of the stimulus of the movement called 

 '' See America First." 



In addition to his purely administrative duties, considerable time 

 lias been devoted by the chief to researches in the field. This work 

 was archeological in nature and a continuation of that of previous 

 3^ears, and was carried on in cooperation with the National Park 

 Service of the Department of the Interior. 



Two months were spent in the neighborhood of Far View House, 

 the first pueblo discovered on the Mesa Verde National Park, six 

 years ago. In the course of the work this fine ruin was thoroughly 

 repaired and put in such condition that it will now resist the wear 

 of the elements for several years. Euins once repaired must bo 

 watched with care. On an average between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors, 

 mainly tourists, visit the Mesa Verde National Park and examine 

 the excavated ruins. Fifteen thousand visitors have already passed 

 through Spruce-tree House and Cliff Palace, and the wear on the soft 

 rock of which the ruins are made is beginning to show. Unless 

 constant vigilance is exercised the Avails will fall within a short 

 time. Any deterioration ought to be repaired annually. Tourists 

 are not now permitted to visit any of the ruins on this park without 

 a guide, a regulation that has been strictlj^ enforced during the past 

 year. 



Field work in May and June was devoted to excavating a ruin 

 called Pipe Shrine House, situated to the south of Far View House. 

 This was apparently a communal building, or one not inhabited, 

 which was used by the people of the pueblo for sacred ceremonies. 

 It would appear that Pipe Shrine House, so called, bears the same 

 relationsliip to Far View House that the Lower House of the Yucca 



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