BARBARA KLEIN: Then, in nineteen eighteen, Jim White took a professional photographer into the cave. Ray Davis' pictures of the Big Room appeared in the New York Times. National interest began to grow.

In 1923, scientists from the National Geographic Society explored the caves. The following year, President Calvin Coolidge named Carlsbad a national monument. Presidents can declare national monuments, but Congress must act to establish a national park. And that is what Congress did in nineteen thirty.

BOB DOUGHTY: Since then, parts of Carlsbad Caverns have been used for movie sets, weddings, even meetings of the Carlsbad City Council.

Most visitors go to the main cavern. But some experienced cavers are permitted to explore five "wild" caves in the park. And in another one, scientists are studying microbes in search of a cure for cancer.

BARBARA KLEIN:

As for Jim White, he became chief ranger of Carlsbad Caverns. In his story in the book "The Discovery and History of Carlsbad Caverns," he talks about all the work that was done.

READER: "I doubt if you can understand how happy this modernizing has made me. It's like the pleasant end to a dream."

(MUSIC)

BOB DOUGHTY: Our program was written by Nancy Steinbach and produced by Dana Demange. I'm Bob Doughty.

BARBARA KLEIN: And I'm Barbara Klein. Doug Johnson was our reader. You can discover pictures of the big cave at Carlsbad Caverns, along with transcripts, MP3s and podcasts of our programs, at voaspecialenglish.com. Join us again next week for THIS IS AMERICA in VOA Special English.

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