Jim White
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
THE GOVERNMENT TAKES OVER
Shortly after the favorable Holley survey was completed, Mr. Richard F. Burges, a prominent El Paso attorney, made a visit to the caverns and was taken through by Jim White. He, too, was greatly impressed with the scenic beauties and the majestic grandeur found here and he began strenuously to exert every effort to bring attention to the cave. He had caught Jim’s enthusiasm for the project and Mr. Burges’ considerable influence, both locally and nationally, soon had effect. He was instrumental in obtaining the 1923 studies of Dr. Willis T. Lee, government geologist. Dr. Lee returned the following year heading an exploration party whose finding, published in the National Geographic Magazine, brought the caverns world-wide attention. Of importance to the realization of Jim White’s dream was “Major” Burges’ work in acquainting members of Congress with the beauty and possibilities of the caverns.
Jim White was contacted by the Government for his suggestion as to how much land should be reserved for the purpose.
Jim White, in later discussing the Land Office request for information, would say, wryly, “There are several other large caves near Carlsbad Caverns, and my suggestion was to include all the land covering those caves. A lot of times I’ve wished that I’d held out one cave for myself.”
Resulting from the Holley report and Major Burges’ efforts, and culminating Jim White’s two-decade battle against indifference and unbelief, came the decision to make the cave area a National Monument. President Coolidge’s proclamation of October 25th, 1923, created the Carlsbad Cave National Monument.
Jim White’s application for the position of custodian of the new National Monument had the support of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, and it was accepted. But Jim was informed there was no salary attached to that job; so then he filed his application for the job of Chief Ranger, which carried a salary. That position he promptly received.
One day shortly after he’d been made Chief Ranger, Jim White had a party in the cave. He pointed to the main entrance high above and said to a visitor:
“Lowering people in the old bucket down to the Bat Cave is too slow. Some of these days I’m going to build a stairway from where we are sitting, clear up through that main opening.”
Through the kindness, generosity and foresight of several Carlsbad citizens, Jim White’s stairway was built a few months later. More than a hundred thousand people used it during the next seven years, until the National Park Service completed the trail that slopes gently down the side of the wall … a means of entrance far better than the old stairway.
Dr. Vernon Bailey was sent to the caverns to do the biological survey on the bats. Seeing the strange mammals hanging aloft in sleep, Dr. Bailey observed that there couldn’t be more than a thousand in the whole cave. Jim White told him to stick around and watch them fly. Bailey did. In his book called “Animal Life of Carlsbad Cavern”, he used the numerical description “Three million” when he wrote of that first bat-flight which he watched.
In 1930, the caverns Jim White had explored were redesignated. On May 14th of that year an Act of Congress established the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, with a resident Superintendent in charge, assisted by a force of trained rangers, engineers and electricians.
THE CAVERNS BECOME A NATIONAL PARK
By 1927 Jim White had begun to see his fondest dreams materialize—those dreams about showing to the world what was to become Carlsbad Caverns National Park. People from literally all over the world were hearing of it, and were arriving in crowds.
Early that summer the Government appointed a resident custodian to administer the Monument. During the next two years tourist facilities, equipment and improvements moved so fast it was hard for Jim to keep up with the progress. Approximately three miles of trails were completed in compliance with modern engineering standards. Diesel engines and huge generators were installed, and the soft glow from hundreds of electric lights replaced Jim White’s crude, home-made kerosene torches. A lunch room was equipped in the depths of the cave—not far from the spot where the Kid set Jim afire one day long ago.
The United States Government charges a guide fee but have appropriated large sums for developing the caverns along progressive lines.
Jim White said it this way: “It’s like a pleasant end to a long dream. I like the modernizing, even letting the world see the cavern with all the conveniences and comforts you might find in a city hotel—electric lights—trails smooth as floors—food and steaming coffee when you’re hungry—running water and telephones clear back to the end—even modern elevators to carry you up if you get tired walking.
“In the spring of 1929 I could see that the job of Chief Ranger was getting too complicated for me, with my limited education; so I resigned my position.
“Even a cave millions of years old can go too modern, too efficient … and out-grow a common old cowboy”.
“… and He hath shewed His people the power of His works.”
Psalm 111