President Wilson had by his signature made the site of the Dinosaur Quarry a National Monument, and application had to be made to the Secretary of the Interior for a permit to continue work. This consumed some time, but suspension of actual operations at the quarry could not have come at a more opportune time as two of the assistants quit work to go in business for themselves; there was an epidemic of la grippe and no desireable [sic] men were available; and the oldest traditions did not go back to such a stormy winter in this region. Then, too, it gave opportunity for the purchase of lumber, nails, new tools, powder and other supplies, and to make ready for a vigorous campaign without asking for a special appropriation.

It was thought best to remove the boxed fossils (probably weighing about 100 000 pounds) which were awaiting shipment, from the narrow gulch where they were stored down onto the safer flat below; and as the Director of the Museum ordered, this was done. The prospect of unusually high water in the spring shows the wisdom of the decision.