DOWN UNDER NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL CAVES ASSOCIATION
VOLUME III - NO. 4 DECEMBER. 1968 34 DOWN UNOt" NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL CAVES ASSOCIATION EDITOR: ROY A. DAVIS, Cumberland Caverns, McMinnville, Tenn. 37110
RODNEY SCHAEFFER, Pres. TOM GIBSqN, Vice-Pres. ROY A. DAVIS, Sec. Howe's Caverns Skyline Caverns Cumberland Caverns Howe's Cave, N. Y. Front Royal, Virginia McMinnville, Tenn.
REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS: ~,
1. Russell Slyden, Penn's Cave, ~entre'Hall, Pa. 2. Dick Bell, Seneca Caverns, Bettvue, Ohio 3. Frank Raulston, Wonder Cave] Monteagle, Tenn. 4. Eddie Mi.Iler , Bridal Cave, Camdenton, Mo. 5. Clara. Heidemann, Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio, Texas 6. Carl Brechler, Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds, Wis.
DOWN UNDER is published quarterly by the NATIONAL CAVES ASSOCIATION, Rt. 6, McMinn,yille, Tenn. 37110. Areacode 615, 668-4396. Material for publi- cation should be sent to the Edit9r at the above address.
COV€R:
'I'hle month's cover photo is "Mottern Art", free-form stalagmite of white and orange, one of the scenic points t n CENTURY CAVERNS, Boerne, Texas.
BULLETIN: Tom Gibson recently Infor-med us that Past President Ted Graves, Luray Caverns, was in a very serious auto accident Dec. 7,' Ted suffered multiple fractures of the right leg, a broken left ankle and left wrist, and several broken ribs. He was taken to the Rockingham Memorial Hospital at Harrisonburg, Va., and was in the in- tensive care unit there for about a week. He is now in a private room in the same hos- pital and is expected to be in traction t here until early February.
IV Annual Convention - Texas
Convention activities actually got underway Tuesday evening, October 1, when cave people arrived by motorcade at Century Caverns outside Boerne, Texas. Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Ebell knocked themselves out entertaining the gang ... with re- freshment, gift of a personalized. drinking stein, and a delightful trip through their beau- fiful cave. Mrs. Ebell was the capable guide ... who may have had some difficulty out- talking the noisy cave-owners, but she good-naturedly put up with us, and the striking scenery of the cave was a thrilling exp ertence,
--From Century the motorcade traveled to the opposite side of Boerne to Cascade Caverns, were Mr. & Mrs. John Bridges, Mr. & Mrs. Jfrr. Brummett, and their hospitable crew made everyone right at home. --The cave trip was spread out between several guides, and was most pleasant. Cascade had flooded some years ago, 35
AT CENTURY CAVERNS: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, THE QUEEN'S THRONE--MRS. EBELL STARTS NCA FOLK INTO THE CAVE--WIDTE GRAPES. washing out fixtures and trails, and filling the place with mud. It took months of back- breaking labor to restore it--and massive concrete dam across the mouth is ominous reminder that some people have more technical problems than others. After cave trip everyone gathered in shelter house for fabulous feast of german sausage, beef, and goodies galore. A German band was on hand to "oom-pah-pah' into the night.
AT CA~CADE CAVERNS: FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, ENTRANCE BUILDING--DISAP- PEARING STREAM--GERMAN BAND AT BANQUET.
CONVENTION MINUTES: The IV. Annual Convention of the National Caves Association was officially opened at approximately 10 am, Wednesday morning, October 2, at the San Antonio Inn, San Antonio, Texas, by Convention Chairman Clara Heidemann's greetings and welcome. Association members were further greeted by the reading of official memor- andum from Gov. .Iohn Counalry of Texas. The Invocation was pronounced by Chaplain Jentry of the Fourth Army. Welcome was extended by Mayor Walter McAlister of San Antonio. ' The Annual Business Meeting was then opened by President Ted Graves, who welcomed members and thanked Clara Heidemann and other Convention hosts for their considerable efforts on behalf of the Association. 36
CHAIRMAN CLARA HEIDE MANN WEL- COMES NCA.
PRES. TEDi,GRAVES OPENS FIRST SESSION.
The first tterr, of business was the appointing of several working committees, to report at a later meeting: Robert Hudson, Chairman Nominations Committee; Roy Davis, Chairman Resolutions Committee, and Car 1 Gibson, Chairman Time & Place Com- mittee; the various other members, to be selected by the Chairmen appointed.
Report on Current Status of Highway Beautification Act
-- Jack Her achend, NCA Legislative Representative
This has been an interesting year for us, legislatively. It has been a privi- lege fot me to represent the Association. We've written and received over 1,100 letters in 1968, thus far. We've made a number of fr;ends in Washington--that will stand us in good stead. We have sent gifts, pictures of historic shrines and natural wonders, to in- fluential people. -v'I'lu s month the writer of the Highway Beautification bill will be my guest at the National Crafts Festival at Silver Dollar City. These contacts are invaluable to us: since the size of the National Government makes who you know mighty important. -i-scverar of us have flown to Washington on several occasions, and we now know some of our legislators on a first-name basis. Our chances of being heard are much greater than ever before. Two major developments in the form of amendments to the Highway Beautifi- cation Act were made in 1968--both of them affecting each of us. (Compensation: "No sign, display or devise shall be required to be removed under this section if the .Iedera.I share of just compensation to be paid upon removal of such stgn, display or devise, is not available to make such payment. T') Compensation for signs to be removed is not a- vailable- -meaing that deadline for their removal will be extended beyond 1970--until sue h time as funds are availab.le, And, secondly, it has been decided that if there is a bonafied County or otherzuning agency: that that agency will be the determining factor in the area it affects, as to whether or not signs may remain. This could very definitely work inour favor. As we look toward the future in 1969 and 1970, two ideas disturb me very much: That members and non-members of NCAhave the feeling that legislation just isn't going to happen: or 1 that any effort they might make would be useless against the awe- some bigness of theWashington law-making milL Both of these concepts are dead wrong! Please don't be deluded into thinking we're not going to have legislation. We are going to have legislation. It will be framed around the present Beautification Law. ItwUl be a- mended ... but it will be! Nineteen states have already entered into an agreement with the Dept. of Transportation. --And, the pessimistic attitude that 'your' vote doesn't count is all wrong. We can do an amazing amount together ... and already have. We can have a continuing effect--if we work together. Right now we're getting about a 200/0response when we ask for help in the form of letters, telegrams or phone calls. We're not a very big organization to begin with ... and if we're really fighting for our lives (andwe are): we 37 ought to get a better than 20% response. In the next 16 months some very important things will happen, and we need to fight on three different fronts at the same time: 1. Within your own State. The individuals within a given State can do more for themselves than the Association can do. Members in some states are doing a fantas- tic job (Tennessee happens to be one of them); others have not taken time to find out what's happening to them. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that an individual state can write a much more stringent law per-taining to directional markers than. the federal gov- ernment threatens to do. 2. In Washington, now: This month will be the .most important in the next 16, since the federal standards (criteria) under which we mayor may not live are to be formulated this month. Mr. McInturf, who is in charge of btrtboard legislation, has called me on several occasions to discuss how this criteria might be acceptably w. r i t- ten. It is his suggestion that we suostttutc for our request for ten directional markers in each direction on each highway, three directional markers in each fifty miles of high- way. It is my hope that we can unarrunous Iy go along with this. If the 'highway number changes, you get another three signs. If you have 60 miles of road, you could have six signs. If down the. same stretch of road the highway number changes, you could have an- other 3 directional markers. Mr. McInturf proposes to take this idea to his boss, Mr. Bridwell, Director, Dept. of Transportation, to sell. Here's where we enter in: L'd Ifke us to unanimously endorse Mr. McInturf's idea, but restate our stand on minimum size, to state that we must have 300 sq. ft. of size wi thm 150 ft. of traveled way, and that dir- ectional markers beyond 150 ft. must be 4'00 sq. it. in size, and we feel that this is the absolute minimum. We would offer this endorsement in a letter to Mr. Bridwell, Im- \ mediately. 3. Communication with Legislators: We'd further like to ask each and every NCA member (and all others who are willing) to telegraph your congressman and senator immediately, telling them that your business will be materially affected this month by standards to be set pertaining to natural wonders in this month's action. --Please re- spond to this plea. It does not affect your chance to continue to fight the whole legisla- tion: it only means that if you aren't successful in the larger effort, those regulations under which you will have to live will be a far better set of standards than they would be if we don't take this opportunity while it's ours.
There is a difference between "signs It and "directional markers". Signs may still be placed in commercial areas. Directionalmarkers may even be per mtsaabte in states that have already entered into an agreement. Next year we can look forward to another round to amend the beautification law and we'll be again calling on you for help. In 1970 there'll be another round ... for appropriations. There are lots of laws on the books that are not enforced because money wasn't made available. We can hope for this. We have a tremendous strength in that legislators feel that natural wonders are something they should be "for". We are also the only industry that presents one front. NCA has one stand. What amendments we make, we make as a group ... and this has real impact on the legislators. --Another real strength is that Luray Caverns is just ccmp Hcated enough to find that utmost any congressman is willing to admit that dir- ectional markers are necessary if he's to find that natural wonder--and most of the con- gressmen have been to Luray. --The last strength we have is our national organization (reason enough to push our efforts to strengthen NCA membership.)
Congressman John O. Mossis, Jr.
A taped interview between Frank Yates, of Luray Caverns, Va., and Con- gressman John O. Mossts , Jr., of tile 7th. District of Virginia, was not played at the Convention. It is printed here, in abridged form: 38
The bill in question was actually the Federal Aid Act for Hlgtiways of 1968. EDITOR'S NOTE: Following the Convention a communication was circulated to all cave operators from Jack Herschend, as follows: Congr-atulations are in order for aU those who-wrote their congressmen con- cerning the promulgation of the Natural Wonders Standards in October. So many folks wrote, that the standards were not promulgated in October as previously announced; and Lowell Bridwell, after hearing from numerous congressmen, phoned to say that he de- cided the .atandards would not be promulgated until after the administration changed. This, in our oprnion, is a victory for our side. Although we were advised by both Republicans and Democrats that we will live under sign legislation, regardless of the Party in power, we will have a better set of standards written under the new administration 1 we feel sure. Of course, this means that we now have a new set of friends to make in the new administration's Department of Transportation, and by this letter I am asking Torn Gibson and Ted Graves to determine in January whothese men are and to make arrange- ments. if they will, to meet these new appointees. JACK HE RSC HE ND, LEGISLATIVE REPRE- SENTATIVE. DON EPPERSON, DIR. TOURIST C eUNCIL OF TEXAS __ Don Epperson, Exec. Director, Tourist Council of Texas The Texas Travel Connett is an organization of private industry in Texas, similar to the Virginia Travel Council. It is nut state supported--it is industry suppor-ted. Tourism has grown fantastically here in Texas--since we started after it ! A retiring cavern operator had neeu in the business only fifteen years yet he was retiring with a large sum of money. A friend asked how this was possible with $500,000 after being in the business such a short time. He replied: T'I always practiced good business principals--always practiced rigorous rules of economy in running the bus- iness ... and recently my uncle died and left me $499, ODD! IT --This will probably be the only way most of us will ever retire ... A IiIm strip of the interesting spots of Texas was shown. Our State Constitution contained a law that prevented the State's spending mon- ey in any way to attract "carpetbaggers". Our legislature always considered this to mean 'tourists'. It was not until 1959 that this was changed. In 1957, 10,300,000 out-of-state visitors were attracted to Texas. It de- clined from that figure, while tourism was booming elsewhere in the nation. Texas was not promoting. In 1961 there were only 8,400,000 visitors. The restriction was lifted in 1959, but it wasn't until 1961 figures came out, showing a decline for the 5th. year in 40 a row--that restaurants, motels, attractions, etc. decided something had tobe done. They organized at that time the Texas Tourist Council, a private enterprise, supporting the State's efforts to attract tourists. They immediately went to work with the State Legisla- ture and were successful in getting a bill through, establishingtheTexas 'I'ou r iet Develop- ment Agency. It had only $292, 000 that first year, but it was a start. The trend was changed. The Travel & Information Dtv. of the Hwy. Dept. had been doing a good job, but did not uave sufficient money to do national advertising... In 1963 there were 11, 000, 000 visitors. In 1964, 14, 000, 000; 19'65, 17, 000, 000; 1966, 19, 000, 000; 1967, 20, 000, OOO--more than double what we had had five years before ... by concerted efforts of individuals and private industry. Tourists are wonderful! In 1961 they spent $440,000,000. In 1966 they spent a billion dollars in Texas. In 1967 WElwere $1,203,000,000. I think there's only 7 states that take in over a billion dollars in tourism .. Do you realize how much money a biUion dollars is? If you had a billion dollars on deposit, you earn from that, just on certificate of savings, $137,000 every day. Think of the return. Ii you had had a billi'on dollars at the time of Christ (a long time ago), and you had spent $1300 a day (not count- ing interest, but just the principal amount), you'd still have $70, 000, 000 in your pocket today! A billion dollars is a lot of money! --That's how much visitors brought to Texas last year I We call 1967 the "Big" year. 20,784, 000 visitors brought in $1, 203, 000, 000. This is an important figure for our legislators. Taxes (gasoline, beer, cigarettes, etc.) paid by visitors was $96,250,000. The return to the state on investment was $115 to $L Average length of stay, 5.98 days. (Florida keeps them 14 days I) Average spent per day, per person, $10.23. He stood before the man of fate for admission to the fold. "What have you done?", St. Peter asked, "to gain admission here ?" "WetL, I've been in the Cavern business, sir, on earth for many a year, .. II --The pearly gates swung open Wide, St. Peter touched the bell. "Come in and choose your harp" he said, "You've had your share of Hell!" Texas Trails _.....Dick Roberts, speaking for Mr. Dick Pierce, Texas Highway Dept. We operate eleven tourist bureaus, centers, which cater to the tourist--at major highway entrances to the state. These are prime distribution points for br-oc hur'es describing various attractions of the state. And, we put out our own literature. We will service over a million inquiries this year, either face to face, or by mail. We have 65 people on our staff. We will supply about 5. million pieces of material, as well as 3 mil- lion from other attracttone , and 2 million. pieces from other sources. We try to dis- tribute material as wisely as possible. We have a number Of caves in Texas, and we promote them in every way we can. Material from cave operators is quite good. It takes this literature to prove that it is not true that "when you've seen one cave, you've seen them all!" The tourist would not have stopped atthese centers, if he knew for sure where he was going. When he stops, we try to hit him with something colorful and something good, and try to keep him that extra day. Our "Texas Trails" program has been most effective ... in stimulating travel both by Texans, and by out-of-state visitors. To lure the traveler off the main routes to the by-ways is the objective (on cxconcnt roads, of cour se.} Trails are so routed as to include historic, scenic and natural attractions. We wanted to establish a more 'personal' raporte between the visitor and the State-- than the impersonal impressions created by the Interstates. We have been actively building 41 roadside parks, scenic overtooks , etc., for sometime. Gov. Connally (a friend of tourism) encouraged development of Travel Trails and appointed a 5-man Committee to work on the possibilities. People with Hwy, Dept; , Texas Tourist Development Comm; , State Library, Parks & Wildlife Comm., Histori- cal Survey Camm., chairmaned by Mr. Frank Hildebrand. We circulated a comprehensive queatlonai r re to all 254 counties to the Co. Judge, Historical Survey Camm., and Chambers of Commerce. We got good response. From these responses we made a wall map into which we could push pins indicating rec- ommended sites. Of course some worthwhile attractions had to be overlooked because they were remote from Trail routes and off by themselves. From this skeleton the Trails were laid out. Local authorities were caned in. Questionairre asked them to pledge to buy signs within their area. While they readily agreed, they found getting funds for this to be more difficult than they had Imagined. Cost of these s igns , paid for by individual Counties, came to $481637. Hwy. Dept. agreed to mount and erect these. (Cost of erecting signs was $47, OOO--nearly as much as cost of signs.) There has been much vandalism, unfortunately. A distinctive slogan or 'fogo' is incorporated in each Trail sign (such as aaifboat for Lakes Trail). One in hiU country has deer head on it (a target for all the nunter-sl) Trails as laid outon the map varied from 524 to 680 miles in length. There are 10 trails, 6800 miles altogether. Armedwith suggestions from Countl es , several of us in the Hwy. Dept. drove the proposed Trails. Photographers were sent out, and slide sets made--to be used in promoting tourism in counties involved. Showings of these were held in each community -c-for motels, restaurants, and others concerned. A folder was designed, and 1,369,000 folders were produced by the State. Two major oil companies became so enamored with these that they bought 100, 000 and 144,000 copies uf the brochure. They print their own logo on these ... These cost 1. 62~. Reprints will be 1. 09~ each. Others have made use of our folders and their contents ... aU promoting the TraUs. We don't expect an. individual driver to drive an entire Trail. Someone cros- sing the State on certain highways might choose a scenic Trail instead of the direct route. Maybe we'll get some of his extr-a time. One worthwhile purpose of the Trails is to keep tourists in Texas ... who may already be here. Pecos Trail, Lakes Trail, Forest Trail, Tropical Trail, Forts Trail, Independence Trail (tracing Republic of Texas), Hill Coun- .try Trail, Mountain Trail, Arassas Trail and Plaine ·TraiL Naturally any cavern ajong., the way is included, as well as other tourist attractions. Trails have sparked interest, and enttiustasm of businesses along the routes. The Pecos Trail Saddle Shop, Forts; Trail Grocery, etc , , all are indicative of the Trail's acceptance. Local Trails h a ve been built along with the State's ... country trails ... that also help hold the Visitor. Our Texas Travel Handbook also lists all Trails, attractions, and points of interest in Texas. There is some criticism, -or course, from towns not Included, etc., but visitors have f.ound it most helpful. Signs on road, literature in hand, we hope to lead travelers along scenic routes to those things he might otherwise overlook. DlCK ROBERTS, TEX- AS HWY. DEPT. SUPT. GUSE, CARLS- BAD CAVERNS NATL. PARK 42 " Due to a malfunction of the tape-recording machine, the, next two features of the Convention were lost: the panel discussion by Bob Hudson, Rodney Schaeffer, and Ted Graves; and remarks by Supt. Guse, Carlsbad Caverns National Park. WONDER CAVE HAD SOMETIDNGFOR J,;VERYBODY. BLACK-LiGHT DISPLAY. LOOK- OUT TOWER, DEER PARK. Following the luncheon and business meeting, everyone journeyed by motor- cade to wonder-Cave, at San Marcos for tour of the cave, Deer Park, Anti-Gravity House and Lookout Tower. The hosts, Mr. & Mrs. Brace, together with their courteous em- ployees, were most hospitable--and everyone had a 'ball. I The motorcade continued from Wonder Cas e to Natural Bridge Caverns, out- side New Braunfels, where the Heidemann's had spread a fabulous Texas barbecue beneath the cottonwood trees, complete with wandering Mexican minstrels. It was a festive ban- quet. .. renewed by adelightful trip through Natural Bridge Caverns under the capable and entertaining leadership of Jack Burch, who was responsible for much of the Cavern's technical development. --On hand to meet Convention-goers was Orion Knox, one of the young spelunkers who had originally discovered NBC. Few caves can boast the magnifi- cent scenery 'of NBC--and its tasteful development and exhibition is every bit worthy of the cave's beauty. THE GURLEYS POSE WITH SWINGING MEXICAN MUSICIANS AT NBC BARBECUE" ORION KNOX (DISCOVERER) AND JACK BURCH (DEVELOPER/GUIDE) SET MOOD FOR CAVE TRIP. INSPIRATION POINT ... DOES! 43 ... 11,1' Thursday, October 4: The second day of Convention business was officially opened by President Ted Gravee , at approximately 10 am. Clara Heidemann introduced Dr. Stanley Wood, Mayor Protetm of New Branufets , who welcomed the visitors. Reports of Regional Vice Presidents was first on the Agenda--with John Brid- ges and Max Evans the onlyVP's present. Both reported little activity in their r egtons -> except the writing of legislative letters, as requested. Mr. Bridges region was, of course busily engaged with preparations for the Convention in San Antonio ... and Hernis- Fair. National Park Threatens Private Cave -- David Candatarta, Ice Caves, Grants, Mexico I probably have the smallest and COldest- cave: an Ice cave--a part of a tre- mendous area featuring an extinct volcano, the most outstanding in the country, and a java tube leading from it, containing perpetual ice. it's in a remote area, and has taken a long time (20 years) to develop the site. I feel j' m just starting. Since my beginning the tourist business has grown a great deaL Some 40 years ago some individuals in the area thought it might be a good site for a National Park. The Park Service, however, turned them down ... I'm President of the Electric Coop, and President of Lava Cons ervation Club . We're working to try to protect the town from flooding--a major problem. The people of Grants, have been my friends. Recently, however, the local newspaper man, and a PR man from the mining industry, created a position for themselves called the Community Development Committee. These have been recently active in trying to make a National Park of the lava beds, They did not inform the ranchers who own the property, or my- self--bul went ahead- -through Chambers of Commerce, TV, senators, newspapers, etc. The attitude now is that any condemnation of property owners, or whatever is involved, is justifiable--to improve the community, build industry, etc. They do not care about the individuals involved. A highway 01" government installation may be necessary, and condemnation becomes justifiable: but for conservation and exhibition of a cave, I fail to see how or why the NatL Park Service can do the job better than an individual--or how they can just- ify condemnation procedures. There is some prestige associated with National Park status, perhaps, but beyond this, I don't S'ee the Impetus. Don't think a similar thing can't happen to your attraction. I'm starting a petition, locally and nationally. I want to find other places that are having similar prob- lems. I'm requesting help. It's hard to fight a newsoaoer--since I can't get equal time. Local people will start such a thing. Park service will make a study. (In our case Park Service representative came 'spying', without first introducing himself or stating his business.) --After study they decide whether or not to make 5 year study --after which they make final decision, and it is then up to congressional action. Is it premature that I start now to fight for what I think is right. .. ? Perhaps NCA can help--by writing letters, or joining with petition. Whether you help or not, I'm mighty impressed with NCA, and intend to become a member. I own a small portion of the lava bed. There are 200,000 acres in a.Il , and 19 or 20 landowners. If Park Service came in, they could draw all traffic because of their prestige, destroying me. They could also take over whole area, and condemn me. WiU cost millions for Government development. I'm doing same thing, without charge to taxpayers. By working together--with others with similar prooteme -vand NCA certainly 44 can help here, maybe we can have something with which to fight back. There is a lack of communication between private owners and government agencies. There is a lack of communication between forest service and park service. NCA might be able to help with this problem. COMMENTS FROM FLOOR BY NCA MEMBERS: Maybe we could have a committee appointed to study this type of thing across the country, and approach it from an informational standpoint. .. so that we would not be in the position as an Association protesting. I think NCA might go in, ask questions, find out. .. and do more good in this way. It mi.ghtbe helpful to investigate this before the next annual meeting. Attitude of your local congressional representative is very important. --Possibly Dr. Pohl , of Mammoth Onyx Cave, can give some insight as to what might happen--since he's been through it. It may be that it's time for us to start trying to educate the American people. The image that a natural attraction must automatically be owned by the government is a myth that should be dispelled. We are in competition with the National Park Service, whether we like it or not. The 'golden eagle' card won't work for us. Maybe we should have a system of credit card of our own. When Natl . Monument near me opened a fine free campground, my camping business was ruined. I can't compete with this. Camping is an example of what government can do to private business. They don't have to operate at a profit. State Parks are perhaps a greater threat than National Parks. They can hurt you quicker. wndemess Societies can also present a threat to us. EDITOR'S NOTE: Since Iearntng of Mr. Candalaria's situation, I have been contacted by the legal council for Round Spring, Mo., (one of our members) who is involved in a similar skirmish with the National Park Service. Their appraisers are seeking information that will aid them in making fair estimates. See article elsewhere, this issue. Fouowmg Mr. Candalaria's remarks, the various Committees made their reports: TIME & PLACE COMMITTEE: Carl Gibson: Our committee's recommendation is that the meeting be held in the cave State of Missouri in 1969--opening at Meramec Caverns for pre-convention tour & din- ner, and then move to Springfield, Mo. for the actual meeting. Since we have six "mem- bers in Missouri; this seems appropriate. Directly after Convention we hope to be able to attend the Crafts Fair at Silver Dollar City, near Branson. The Committee's recom- mendation was put to a vote, and unanimously accepted. The 1970 Convention has been invited to Gatlinburg, Tenn., hosted by Forbidden Caverns and the Lost Sea. b1LECTIONS COMMITTEE, Bob Hudson, Chairman: Feel method of electing President is backward. Would be well to elect Pres- ident possibly on sedond day of Convention, and outgoing president might preside over social events, while incoming President get his feet wet during current annual meeting. Regional meetings should be held once or twice a year--for a closer working relationship of regional members. Suggested that an extra day be added to Convention--since we always seem to run short of time. --Possibly a 4-day period next year, with front & tail end optional --and main meeting in middle. Committee recommended following officers for coming year: Rodney.schaef~ fer for President, Tom Gibson for Vice President and Roy Davis for Soc.retary-Treas- urer-. These candidates were elected by acclamation. Suggested Regional VicePresi- 45 dents were also elected byacc Iamation: Region 1, Russell Slyden, Penn's Cave; Region 2~ Dick Bell, Seneca Caverns, Region 3, Frank Raulston, Wonder Cave; Region 4, Ed- die Miller, Bridal Cave; Region 5, Clara Heidemann, Natural Bridge Caverns; and Region 6, Carl Br-echler-, Cave of the Mounds. RODNEY SCHAEFFER, after brief acceptance remarks, appointed the fol- lowing for the coming year: Jack Her-schend, NCA Legislative Representative Tom Gibson, Chairman Confiscation of Property Committee Members-- David Candajarta and Dick Bell. Carl Gibson, Chairman Cavern Promotion Committee--topickhis own mem- bel's. RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE: Roy Davis: Be it resolved that the Secretary be instructed to write letters of apprecia- tion to the managements and staffs of Century Caverns, Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Ebe ll ; Cas- cade Caverns, Mr. & Mrs. John Bridges & Mr. & Mrs. James Brummett; Wonder Cave, Mr. & Mrs. Jfn, Brace and Mr. & Mrs. John Mostyn, and Natural Bridge Cav- erns, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Heidemann: - for their wonderful reception, gracious hospi- tality, good food, wonderful attractions and delightful ente rtai nment-o-and our special gratitude and appreciation to Clara Heidemann, Chairman of our IV Annual Convention £01' her spectat efforts in arranging an exce nent program, superb facUities and warm welcome. And that letters of thanks be forwarded on behalf of NCA to Mayor McAlistor, and Dr. Woodward for the hospitality of their cities, and to John Connally for the hospi- tality of the Lone Star State and for the honor bestowed upon the caves of the U. S., and NeA, by Ii s declaration that this be designated as Texas Cave Week. A standing ovation was given to hosts for their fine work. Financial Statement NA TIONAL CA YES ARSOCIATION October 1, 1968 INCOME: 25 Memberships, @ $200 $ 5,000.00 1 Down Under Subec rtpttnn 2.00 $ 5,002. OU EXPENSES: Supplies 41. 05 Down Under R77.40 Secretarial 19.66 Phone & Postage 100.24 legislatiort 562.73 Travel 113.19 Mscellaneous 1.14 1,515.41 1968 Cash on Hand 3,486.59 1967 Cash on Hand 5,628.31 Cash on Hand, October I, 1968 $ 9,114.90 46 -- Roy Davis Much is said about the importance of a proper "Image" for our attractions. This usually has reference to clean grounds, tasteful appearance, neat signs, u~iforms that fit the situation, the "come in" look... We need to be even more concerned about the image we create by our own personalities and attitudes: an awareness of human nature, therefore, and practice of applied psychology, can be of 'great advantage to the overall impressions left with visitors. Being associated with the development of several commercial caves has given me certain actvantages--permitting me -to observe what's going on with manage- ment, and with employees; and I can see from this vantage point, some of the struggle. that goes on, and sorne of the problems. Being a part-time preacher means that I don't have enough sense to mind my own business; and I am brazen enough t a tell you some of the things I've observed. My purpose is a genuine wish to be of help; and I have no de- sire to name names or step on toes. Please consider the following as entirely construe- tive criticism. A knowledge of human behaviours and their effects is desirable, obvicusiy, because of some of the various things we see happening: The cave owner who receives the 'looper' who decides not to go on the Lf~P, by telling him off, and that he "didn't want him anyhow... II --At Mammoth there is still the problem with guides who think they »r'e pottcemen-vrather than hosts to entertain and Inform the visitors. --And there are guides who threaten to quit-von the 4th. of JUly... --Or the ex-guide who comes back to rip the formations out of your cave. --Or the ex-employee who goes around chopping down your signs with a chain saw. --And the guide who can't learn that stalactite is spelled with a 'o' instead of a 19'. This all indicates a bre-akdown, somewher-e, in communications. Proper people-relations are desirable with our guests. They are not "vic- tims" or money-venders--toshower us with blessings and then be gotten rid of as quick- ly as posstbte. What we want is happy, satisfied guests who are pleased with what they find and the way they're treated--who will want to return. A pensonat-touch; the ex- tending of a personal invitation to our guests' is very important. We must make them feel important. .. and wanted. The guy at the counter who gives the sales pitch-who sells the tour, ought to be aware of his position .. ',and be vitally interested tnat YOU just walked through the door, and make YOUfeel mighty welcome. The 'patter' of the guide who shows the cave is much. more than reciting a memorized script of jok.es and pointing out imaginary elves, bibical characters and assorted vegetables. It's the guide'S job to entertain, yes: but to inform, educate and host the visitor is of even greater impor- tance. Offer to take pictures of the guests: comment about scmeonevs dress; ask where theytr e from" what they do, where they're going... what they think of the cave. Don't insult a visitor's intelligence by giving him a "dumb-dumb" guide. He's your secret weapon, your greatest asset. He's an entertainer, actor, teacher, policeman. He definitely is not a tape recorder. --Exude hospitality ... do the extra thing. You'll be practicing people-relations, and you'll feel it... in the cash register. Practice proper people-relations with employees: You want your guides to be honest, straight-forward, loyal. Along With pleasing personality and clean-cut ap- pearance, it ts-deetrabie that a guide exude an air of authority ... and that he be proud of his job ... and his responsibility in tt. He should speak of "out" cave. Should never 'knock' his own cave (or the competition's, for that matter). He should regard him- self highly) as a valuable part of the "team". If this attitude can be encouraged, he'11 do a better job, and make visitors happier ... and be happier himself. Give him respons- 47 ibility. Make him feel needed. AHow him to make decisions. Correct his mistakes, but don't 'dress him down' as if he were an expendable incompetent. Keep his ego high. --On the other hand, never al iow the guide to "tell you" how the cave will be run. While every guide has opinions as to how, the tour should go, and you should be interested in hearing his ideas (he could have a good one), management should dictate the Iiua Lp r-e- sentatlon of the cave, and insist that it be adhered to. When guides form 'cliches' and grumble and criticize, it is a pretty good indication that something is wrong with man- agerr.ent: and this is usually a lack of communication between office and employees. KC'vtJ your employees informed--not only as to how you want things done, but also "why". It makes them feel "included", and "on the instde" of things. Loyalty and respect will be the resu It. Sometlling should be said, perhaps, about the "old "ttmer" guide, who has been with the cave since the oldest stalactite was just' a soda-straw. Sometimes this fellow can be invaluable--and his experience makes him a delight to Visitors, a store- house of history, information and legend: but sometimes the old-timer with all his sen- orfty , has also developed an ego-centric problem that makes him bitter, critical, unap- prec latl ve-o-aud possibly even short with visitors, haughty or rude. Senority alone is no reason for keeping; an employee. Loyalty works both ways. I often hear ca ve operators comp Iain that they cannot find suitable employees. J think thls may be in part because they are looking in the wrong places--or don't really know what they're looking for: Most of us use young- people ,~s guides and seasonal employees: these are usually college age, or high school seniors. Some have used teachers, ministers, and othersummer vacation people as parf-ttmeemptoyees ... with some success. Some have used girls to good advantage. The young person is a good bet. Eels eager, flexible, creative. Of course you have to be selective: watch for the colorful personality. Ex- perience isn't important at an. Remember that to get the capable youth you've got to offer him something. Money will do nicely. But cave guides are usually notoriously underpaid--so if you can't compete with industry & grocery stores, offer him something else. Offer him the uniqueness of a cave job. Point out the pleasure of the job--the value to Ius personality development. Appeal to his ego. It ~ a valuable experience for a young man. The fufl cti me employee requires even mor-e attention than the seasonal. He is in facl a trusted, valued friend, and his loyalty, concer-n and undivided interest is much to be desired. Again, give him responsibility. Allow him to make decisions, and feel himself a vital part of the organization. Sometjmes.a cave operation is fortunate enough to have" an especially capable employee; one Who is knowledgable about technical aspects of the cave--able to keep the lights burning, pumps working--able to get things done-e-to guide, paint signs, run the cash-register. ... just about everything. For gosh eakes c -hang onto this guy! Pay him fairly. Keep him happy. He's hard to replace. Don't overlook feeding the ego. It's essential. Praise success. Knock yourself out in making the employee feel his impcrtance. There is an art to being" the boss and steering the course of things, wliile at the same time keeping the employees happy , loyal and productive. "Aek't-t-don't "tell". Criticize with gentleness. Give credit where it's due. Refer to "our" cave and what "we" are doing. Exude hospitality. Extend theextra. Smile! Extend app ropr-late people-relations to other caves and attractions. Gone is the day when we can afford to be islands unto ourselves. The critic of the other fellow burls himself most of al1. NCA has helped a lot to promote healthy relations between cave operalors. Getting together we have found our neighbors "not so bad", and that cooperating togethe r can be mutually beneficial to al1. In Tennessee, at Ieaat , we now talk ... where once we threw mud. If we had been aware of the value of people relatfon~ 48 a long time ago, we could have benefitted much earlier. There are still strongholds of the "old guard"--and one NCA member will not "share" his "secrets" with other mem- bers. He's worked to hard to get 'ern. Poor fellow; he's stiH living in the dark ages. --And if you've been around many cave areas you've seen some of the petty situations that exist: inuendos of anamosity- -childish--unprofitable; an insult to the creative minds that have developed and shown caves. Don't just practice the golden rule. Initiate itl Know your-setf-vand what you want. --If you want to be a money-hungry or-ge, self-centered and proud. If you don't mind your employees hating your guts--and doing a half-hearted job for you. If you are only interested in getting visitors in--fleecing them-e-and don't care if they be- come friends ... then forget everything we've said here. Ted Graves introduced Walt Waller, Manager, Tourist Promotion, San An- tonio Chamber of Commerce, who discussed: "After HemisFair, what?" Mr. Waller related that San Antonio's role to Texas tourists has been a his- toric one, beginning in 1939 with the promotion line: 'Where the sun spends the Winter. " Byline now is: "After HemisFair, remember the Alamo!" Alamo remains San Anton- io's single greatest asset. A permanent Visitor's Complex is planned for the Herms- Fair site, retaining many of the major architectural features of the Fair. It ought to De an outstanding display in the country. Doyle Clawson, from Inner Space caverns, showed slides of Inner Space, Cobb Cave and Longhorn Caverns--other Texas caves not included in the Convention schedule. The business meeting was then interrupted for lunch; during which time a Regional Vice President's meeting was held in the lobby--at which the question of re- quirements for membership to NCA were discussed: -vShould we designate standards or criteria for membership? --If we display the NCA cer-tificate of membership, it ought to mean some- thing. What happened to original idea .that Regional VP's would endorse member- ship applications? Perhaps a committee should be appointed ... to study the issue, and make reaommendations. Standards WOUld exclude some people who could be an asset. .. and include some we'd rather not have. Might hurt membership rather than help it. John Bridges offered help of his Art Dept. in designing NeA logo. Regional Conventions and get-together-a ought.to be encour-aged. Those who feel strongest about this ... ought to initiate it.. At the luncheon, guest speaker was Mr. Frank Hildebrand: CLARA IS PRESENTED WITH BOUQUET OF ROSES BY GRAVES. FRANK HIlDEBRAND, EXEC. DIR. TEXAS TOURIST DEVELOP- MENTAGENCY 49 friendliness and Hospitality ... __ Frank Hildebrand, Exec. Director, Texas Tourist Development Agency On behalf of Gov. Connally, I would express our pleasure at having had you in 'I'exaa for this brief time. I hope that your activities and the attractions you've seen may have whetted your appetite and that you'll wish to return to Texas for more. I was glad I arrived early enough to hear the tail-end of Roy's comments on per.ronal relations. This is an important area. I trust I won't repeat too often Roy's rei. arks , I doubt if any topic you've had during the convention could be more important d the one he had with you this n.orutng. One potential Texas visitor stated that ne was not concerned about spending n-. . 2y on his vacation .. , but that he got his money's worth ... for what he spent. As cost of travel increases, taxes rise, etc. family budgets are pinched. '-'~IIe are growing every increasingly concerned over how much value they will receive 1 .r-, travel investment--entertainment dollar spent. They feel they must have full val- It becomes apparent that attractions must provide this full measure of satisfaction f'_, ..he dollar invested. Too often we get caught up in talking statistics and dollars, al- i, . .gh these are the terms that investors understand. The pity is that we don't putas 1(,' ,'h emphasis on the success realized in terms of customer satisfaction. This is aless tangtbte factor than the hard dollar in the cash-register, but in the long-run its insepar- a';"e from dollar income ... since satisfaction is necessary to guarantee continued income. Seven out of ten potential pleasure travelers rely on word of mouth in making up their muid where they'll go and what they'll do on vacations. All media advertising, therefore, regardless of how large an investment one has, is blunted if he has poor word-of-mouth. Our attraction in north Texas, "SiX Flags over Texas", is our leading one-- in total numbers of visitors (now being challenged by Astra-World at Houston). From the outset Six Flags bas made a conscious effort to thoroughly please patrons. Six Flags never looks upon a customer as a customer, but as a "guest". Employees are not em- ployees, but 'hosts' to 'guests'. Patrons are greatly impressed with the 'friendliness' of the hosts & hostesses. Texas may still have an Inate friendliness reminiscent of our frontier heritage. Too often we overlook the importance of friendliness in hosting folks. More than 900/0of all prospective vacationers today are seeking places of friendliness. They often return to places where they have found trtendnneesv-and rec- ommend these places to friends. We take friendliness too much for granted. If you travel very broadly you will find a lack of this quality ... and this ought to give us pause. This is something we must constantly guard against--lest hoepitaflty vanish. Within 25 years tourism can well become the nation's most valuable industry. At 32 billion now, more than half of America has never 'been more than 200 miles from home. 60% have never spent a night in a Motel. 70%of Americans over 18 have never been on an airplane. Think of what a potential there is yet to be developed. Leisure time is mush- .roornlng. By 1985, according to the Wall SL Journal, "Americans will have the option of working a .22 hr •. week, or taking an annual vacation of 25 weeks; of retiring at the age of 38, or of earning twice the purchasing power they do today. A fantastic picture. Travel will be one of the first pursuits to which additional time and money will be put. Attractions will spring up increasingly to occupy that shareof~ncome that Americans will be devoting to travel. In the light of such an increased traffic at attractions, will friendliness and genuine hospitality survive? We need to give thought to this now, to plan for it. A vacation should be a memorable experience for visitors, rather than some- thing he'd rather forget about. J. C. Hunter, of Abilene, Texas, owns a 72,000 acre ranch in the Guadelupe Mtns., which i~ being acquired by the government for development as a National Park. Magnificent area ... SeveraI years ago I met Mr. Hunter, and traveling through his ranch, viewing the Guaduupes at sunset, I asked Mr . Hunter if he was not thrilled to 50 realize that the mountains were his. Mr. Hunter replied that he knew the mountains had been here for millions vi years ... and his years were but a bat of an eye by com- parison. How could he claim to "own" them? More of a trust. ''I'm determined that they be preserved for future enjoyment of others. !1 .Cavern operators apparently have the same feeling that Mr. Hunter had: to preserve, in its pure state, this bit of nature. Obviously this stewardship bears greater responsibility than a Mr. Angus Wynn, who has built an attraction (Six Flags) ... since yours has been buttt through the millions of years by the Master Architect. Challenge rs to display your attraction with the same awe and grandeur that Mr. Hunter had-e-with hospitality and graciousness. If this is done, I have no fear for the future ... even though we enjoy 25 week vacations or; retire at a young age. The public should get its full value for the travel dollar in vested. Drawings tor door and attendance prizes followed. Mrs. Lydia Neubuck, from Adirondack Nat1. Stone Bridge & Caves, New York, had come greatest distance. Prizes were passed out as long as they lasted. Convention Chairman Clara Heidemann was surprised by a gift of roses from Ted Graves ... for her excellent planning and exe- cution of the IV Annual Convention. What would you like to see NCA accomplish? Roy Davis, acting for Jack Herschend, directed the palling of the members present, on the question: "What do you want to see NCA accomplish?" Based on the questionairres used the following suggestions were brought to light: 1. Provide an opportunity to exchange ideas through an annual convention. 2. Provide professional help to increase interest in visiting America's caves by hiring a professional writer to supply informational materials to news media. ~. Allow individual members to quote the NCA in individual releases, thus increasing chance of using and adding cr edibl Hty to copy, by providing suggested re- leases to members in which the individual cave name and NCA name are used. 4. Concerning billboard legislation NCA should favor billboard legislation as long as adequate directional markers are allowed to be maintained by cave operators. 5. Adequate signing as it pertains to numbers would be: 3 on each 50 miles of highway. 6. Adequate signing as it pertains to size would be: 300 sq. ft. state high- way; 400 sq. ft. federal highway. ·f 7. Most effective way for NCA legislative desires to be made known would be to continue to support its present Legtstative Representative, and act upon his direc- tives with letters, telegrams, phone calls and personal visits on legislators, as required. 8. In addition, NCA should consider the following suggestions: a. Smaller cave operator should have more time at Convention to present his problems. Often overshadowed by big operations ... talking over the heads of the small attraction. b. Need more 'nut & bolt' type thinking--about advertising, methods of brochure distribution, design, travel ads available, billboard construc- tion, lease arrangements, etc. ._' c. An exchange of member brochures could be most helpful. d. A custom NCA folder is desirable. and should be continued. e. Continue research programs we've started, making compilation of statistics available to members. f. Organize an equipment poclv-for small operators. (Rok-ja1 h. Appoint queationai rr-e committee--with duty of getting out num- erous questionairres yearly, pertaining to every phase of cave operation. i. Indtvidual members to present all new cave promotional ideas that have been successful at time of annual meeting. j. Supply more material for DOWN UNDER. It ties the membership together. k. Regional meetings should be called by Regional VP's sometime in early part of the year. 1. More communication between NCA headquarters and the various regions would be desirable. m Consider lowering membership from $200 so that smarter opera- tions can become a part of the Association. n. Appraiser's Appeal - - __ Mercer W. Simmons I M.A. I., Real Estate Appraiser & Consultant 509 E. Main si. , Lincolnton, N.C. 28092 Along with Jack K. Mann, M.A.!. of Jackson, Miss., and W.D. Davis, '(.;I,A.I. of Kansas City, Mo..; I am engaged)n the appraisal of a cave in Missouri, which cave is to be acquired by the National Park Service, and we need information about other caves. Since adequate, accurate information is tile "life blood"of the real estate ap- praiser, I am delighted to have the opportunity to explain - through the' medium of your publication _ what type of information is needed and why the appraiser needs this infor- mation. Without information the appraiser is no better than any layman; with it he be- comes a professional who can, within a relatively narrow range, es timate the value of a niece of real estate whether it be a dwelling, farm, manufacturing plant, or a cave. The activities of various federal, state and local government agencies in recent years in the land acquisition and condemnation field has led to a greater demand -rcr competent appraiser by both the government agencies charged with the execution of these var-ious programs and by the pubfic. This demand has also been recognized and encouraged by banks, savings and loan associations, and other lending institutions, as well as by investors in real estate. The various appraisal organizations (American Institute of Real Estate Ap- praisers _ M.A. 1. , Society of Real Estate Appraisers - S. R. A. - S. R. E. A. , and Ameri- can Society of Appraisers - A. S. A.) have worked hard to meet the challenge presented by these demands. They havedone , and are continuing to do, a good job; however, all that they can do is not worth a great deal if the well-trained, well-qualified professional ap- praiser does not have sufficient information upon which to base his conclusion (opinion) of value. (A professional appraiser is generally considered to be one who holds one or more of the designations listed above and one who continues to attend educational meet- ings and seminars and is continuously studying to keep informed on the latest develop- ments in the appraisal field.) It has truly been said ua t "The appraiser is nobetter than his data. tl The appraisal of a cave is not what could be classed as an ordinary appraisal __ however, the same principles apply and the same process is ronowed as in any ap- praisal. This process involves the gathering of data about the region, the immediate neighborhood, and the subject property. This is usually no problem for the professional appraiser. Regional and neighborhood data can be obtained Irorr, many sources, includ- ing federal, state and local government agencies as well as private sources. The owner can usually supply all information on the property to be appraised. There will, of course, be well-run operations and those that are not well-run. What we as professional ap- .''-'''''''. \.~-'-,M~ :.ilo~:r~~=,,,,,._r.::l PLAN AHEAD for V. Annual Convention 1969 - in MISSOURI! RODNEY SCHAEFFER, NEW NCA PRE ~,')ENT ....:.- . ~-'"""'- ,~"