Although this is the first year I have recorded the fact in print, the management of the Crater Lake Lodge and Anna Springs Camp has never been satisfactory to me. When I first visited the park in 1915 I found an attractively planned but unfinished hotel, especially far from complete within the structure, insufficient furnishings, a scanty larder, and very ordinary dining-room service. I observed that the plant was not being operated at a profit, and upon inquiry found that the owner had invested all of his available funds in the enterprise and was unable to secure more financial assistance.
I endeavored to help him by offering suggestions regarding inexpensive improvements that would better service and make visitors to the hotel more comfortable, while further efforts were made to secure financial aid to complete the building. I secured the services of an experienced hotel operator, who visited the park and suggested perfectly feasible yet inexpensive betterments in kitchen and dining-room service. There were always promises of action on the suggestions and bits of advice, but no improvements worthy of the name were made. Year after year I visited the park, found the usual indifferent service and unfinished accommodations. I pleaded for improvement, got more promises, but never any fulfillment of agreements or understandings.
Last year I visited the park with the National Editorial Association, and although the number of members of this party was well known months before, as well as the time they would spend at Crater Lake, the management was entirely unable to care for the party in a satisfactory manner. Again I remonstrated with the owner and got more promises, only to find absolutely no compliance a year later when, last July, I visited the park with the Appropriations Committee.
Conditions this year were worse than last season; certainly no better in any respect. I concluded the time had come for action, and accordingly I gave the owner of the hotel property notice that recommendation would be made for the cancellation of his franchise, and that the park would only be kept open for motorists bringing in their own equipment. This had the effect of materially improving service for the remainder of the season, but I feel that a change in the operation of this enterprise must be made.
At Mather’s request, Oregon Governor Benjamin W. Olcott appointed a nine-member commission in August 1920 to investigate the status of Crater Lake concessions and develop a “practicable plan” for securing improvements. The committee, consisting of businessmen from Portland and Southern Oregon towns, was given a mandate by the governor to take “care of the interests of the present hotel management” and devise “plans for placing the accommodations at the lake on a basis which will be satisfactory to the national park management and to the thousands of tourists who annually visit this natural wonder.” It was Mather’s hope that with the results of the study funds could be raised in Oregon to purchase the property of the Crater Lake Company and rehabilitate the enterprise, the “parties subscribing the funds to organize and operate in much the same way as similar groups are now organized for the development of the Yosemite and Mount Rainier properties.” [8]
In September 1920 the Department of the Interior informed Parkhurst of its intention to have improvements made in the Crater Lake Company facilities. After listing a series of alleged violations of his contract, the department stated its desire to have Parkhurst answer each charge and propose remedial measures to correct each criticism. If his response were “not timely made” or was “not deemed sufficient to overcome these charges,” a hearing would be held. If evidence demonstrated that the company had not fulfilled its contract obligations, its lease would be annulled and revoked. [9]
Meanwhile, the Crater Lake Committee appointed by Governor Olcott conducted its investigation under the direction of its chairman, Sydney B. Vincent. The committee investigated each of 26 charges which had been leveled against the company:
