ROBB DEWALL P. O. BOX 1341 

RAPID CITY. S. DAK. 57701 

12 Sept., 72

Mr. Josef Meier 

N. Highway 14 Spearfish, South Dakota 

Dear Mr. Meier:

Since the June 9th Rapid City area flood disaster, I have been working on a paper dealing with broadcasting's role in the rescue and recovery operations, and it is in this regard that I am writing. I plan to submit the paper as a Master's Degree thesis for the University of Iowa graduate journalism program, where I previously have earned my classroom credits. 

One aspect of that thesis will deal with the national broadcast publicity which resulted in such a negative impact on the area's tourism. I am hopeful of obtaining from you statistics on how badly attendance at the Black Hills Passion Play was hurt following the flood disaster and on through the rest of the 1972 season. I will use statistics from Mr. McCaw at Mt. Rushmore to show the impact there, and would like Passion Play statistics to note the impact on the northern Hills area. 

Your help on the project would be greatly appreciated, as would be any general pro or con comments you might care of make on the general role broadcasting played in the flood emergency and recovery. 

Best Regards, Robb DeWall

Mr. Meier is out of town and will not return for several weeks, however, here are the statistics you requested: 

Although attendance At the few performances that were scheduled prior to the flood was above last year, attendance for the 1972 season was 31% below that for 1971. 

Best Wishes, Harold E. Rogers

Amphitheater Mgr. 

Black Hills Passion Play