State in the Nation. Texas, at the present time, has a lot of catching up to do to serve the present needs for State recreational areas, and certainly this program must expand if we are to keep pace with the outdoor recreation explosion anticipated in the future. This work has already begun and will expand as rapidly as funds are available, both from State-appropriated funds and from any possible funds that might be available from the Federal Government. It is most difficult to estimate the number of man-years of work which might be used by this department in the immediate future, due to the uncertainty of available funds for development purposes. Should our program expand as rapidly as we hope, and to the extent that we anticipate, we feel this number would be quite significant. I am sorry that I am unable to supply the information in quantity as you requested in your letter. Sincerely yours, WILLIAM M. GOSDIN, Assistant Director for Parks. TEXAS EMPLOYMENT COMMISSION, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR: From the description in your letter of June 3 it would appear that the legislation you are drafting might make a real contribution toward alleviating unemployment, particularly among the unskilled and semiskilled workers who seem to be having the most difficulty in finding work in our present industrial economy. I am sure there are many worthwhile public conservation, development, and improvement projects which would be accomplished if only money were available and which would not otherwise be instigated. In our own agency, although we frequently bemoan the lack of money and personnel to do the best job in our field, we are not speaking of substantial numbers of people. Rather, what we need are comparatively small numbers of highly qualified personnel-people who have the educational and experience backgrounds to work effectively in our area, and who can pass State merit system qualifying examinations. We are participating in various Government programs aimed at easing the problems of unemployment, such as area redevelopment, manpower development and training, and the accelerated public works program. These, of course, are in addition to our basic functions of operating public employment offices and paying unemployment insurance. We also anticipate a substantial role in implementing some features of the "poverty bill" if and when it is enacted. Our part in these programs is counseling, selecting, and placing workers in jobs or on training, and the payment of certain training allowances. The development of jobs, which of course is the ultimate goal, devolves on other agencies, public and private, and no doubt quite properly so. Another of our functions is providing labor market information and conducting research designed to clarify various aspects of labor market problems. Probably some expansion of our research program would be desirable and helpful. We could effectively use additional personnel if money were available, but here again we are referring to small numbers of technical research people, not a number which would of itself make a dent in unemployment. Since projects such as you mention might be planned by a number of State agencies such as highway or street departments, parks departments, fish and wildlife agencies, etc., perhaps the best channels for such information might be the executive heads of the governmental units, such as Governors and mayors? Sincerely yours, J. E. (Ed) LYLES, Commissioner. FANNIN, TEX., June 18, 1964. Hon. GAYLord Nelson, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: Thank you for the letter May 21, 1964, concerning aid to the unemployed. In the Fannin Battleground, consisting of 10 acres, we believe we could use 2 man-years of labor. We have public overnight camping with picnic facilities and a small museum. 37-181-64-19 Some of the specific kinds of projects, repair museum, new cyclone fence on two sides, rebuild and beautify the front entrance, paint and repair the pavilion, line and rebuild, cover and extend the barbecue, pit. With the increase of tourism in Texas this work is needed and urgent. Our present facilities are inadequate and shabby. Yours most sincerely, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. Mrs. G. G. SWICKHEIMER. THE CITY OF EL PASO, TEX., July 8, 1964. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Thank you for your letter of July 1. Although I do not feel I can give you specific information of any importance at this time, there are a number of areas in which I believe we could utilize unemployed workers on projects for which we might be eligible. We have a number of park and recreation projects considerably behind schedule at the present time, primarily due to the lack of finances. However, we are planning a capital improvement bond in September for the further expansion and development of our park and recreation areas. If funds become available, I would estimate that we could use from 50 to 100 individuals on various aspects of our projects for the next 3 or 4 years. Thank you for contacting us, and I shall look forward to hearing more about the program as it develops. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Thank you for your letter of July 1, 1964, concerning your recently introduced legislation to provide funds to municipalities to utilize unemployed workers on conservation and recreation projects, etc. As it happens, Senator, we do not have widespread unemployment in the city at this time. I am certain that there are some deserving unemployed in the community, but I expect that they constitute a minute fraction of our total work force. You have asked for any general comments or suggestions I might have concerning your proposed legislation. Without wishing to seem rude or flippant, I would suggest that the subject of your legislation could best be handled by local communities without the "aid" of the Federal Government. The Federal Government can only provide such funds to municipalities as are paid to it by the taxpayers who reside in the local communities. May I respectfully suggest that the Federal Government could better direct its attentions to matters specifically within the Federal purview and leave local matters to handling by local communities. With kindest regards and thanks for your consideration, I am, BAYARD H. FRIEDMAN. CITY OF AMARILLO, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: I have considered your letter of June 12, 1964, regarding legislation to utilize unemployed workers for conservation projects such as park development. If such legislation were enacted by the Congress and our policymaking body, the city commission, approved the use of Federal funds for park improvement projects, we could use workers for the following projects: 1. Construction of park roads, parking areas and sidewalks. 2. Construction of three park restroom-utility buildings. 3. Planting trees and shrubbery on approximately 300 acres of park land. 4. Installation of sprinkler irrigation system on approximately 100 acres. These projects would probably require from 15 to 20 man-years of labor to accomplish, and are programed for construction during the next 4 years. I hope this information will be of assistance to you. Sincerely yours, DELBERT SHEARER, Director, Parks & Recreation Division. CITY OF HOUSTON, Houston, Tex., June 24, 1954. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: This will acknowledge receiving your recent inquiry regarding certain personnel that may be needed in our parks and recreation department work program. Since the rapid growth and expansion of Houston there has been a definite need for additional parks and recreation facilities in our system. Consequently, some 65 new parks have been acquired in the past 8 years and the development and maintenance of these parks have become a problem due to the lack of adequate personnel and operating funds. Much of the clearing, cleaning, drainage, and grading of new park areas therefore requires a large labor force and at the present, we could very easily use some 150 to 200 additional laborers for this purpose. Therefore, I am certainly in accord with any program that may be proposed in the future by the Federal Government, particularly in line with the CCC program that was so effective many years ago. It is my belief that such a program would not only be an asset to all cities, counties, and States that may participate, but would also be excellent training, both in mind and body, for many of our citizens that now have difficulty finding regular employment. Yours very truly, GUS H. HAYCOCK, Director, Parks and Recreation Department. CITY OF LUBBOCK, Lubbock, Tex., June 22, 1964. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I received your letter of June 12, pertaining to your drafting legislation to provide funds to Federal, State, county, and municipal agencies to utilize unemployed workers on conservation projects, and I wish to assure you that I am definitely for something of this nature. We have too many youth unemployed. We, here in Lubbock, are trying to do something about it, but it is too big a job for a city to handle alone. Enclosed is one of our pamphlets entitled "Challenge of Jobless Youth." At the present time we are working some 200 boys 4 hours a day. We could work 4,000 or more and I am for any type of legislation that would make it possible for any youth who wants a job to be permitted to get one. Yes, we have many projects in our own town that we could use help on that would not require extensive new preparation. We have 16 boys working on one park, getting it ready, whereby we can level and put in a water system. We have 8 or 10 of these projects and many, many others. I don't know just exactly what you meant when you asked if I could estimate the number of man-years. I have been with the City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation Department 20 years and can assure you that we have never caught up with work that needs to be done within our city. If I can be of further assistance to you please let me know, because I am definitely interested. Sincerely, A. C. HAMILTON, Director of Parks and Recreation. CITY OF EL PASO, TEX., Senator GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.O. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: The city of El Paso could use a number of unemployed workers for park development in the near future. The decision to do so would be a policy and would be made by the mayor and city council. The projects programed within the next 5 years are the construction of parks. This would utilize truckdrivers, heavy equipment operators, plumbers, carpenters, cement finishers, and some common labor. I estimate we could use 75 man-years, provided the city could develop parks with free labor cheaper than could be done with private enterprise. Should there be available, with supervision, a good ratio of skilled to unskilled workers, this could possibly be done. I am not sufficiently informed to make comments or suggestions, but I am interested and will help in any way I can. Sincerely, BYRON D. TATE, Superintendent of Parks. CITY OF ALICE, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senator, Washington, D.C. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, DEAR MR. NELSON: I am in reply to your letter June 12, 1964, regarding legislation to provide funds for county and municipal agencies to utilize unemployed workers. In this section of south Texas we are in an area of high unemployment and something of this nature could help our economy greatly. I and my department are in a program of park development and golf course construction. Extra funds for labor has been our greatest problem. With manpower we could complete these programs ahead of schedule. We had set up these on a 3-year program and still have 3 years to go. With a 10-man labor force we could complete in 1 year. We could also use extra men on park maintenance. I think you have a fine program underway and I hope this program will benefit us soon. Should you need additional information please let me hear from you. Sincerely, JAY S. WILLIAMS. CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR: This is in reply to your letter June 12, 1964, pertaining to your drafting of legislation to provide funds to Federal, State, county, and municipal agencies to utilize unemployed labor on conservation projects. In this regard, provided funds were available, the department of parks and recreation, city of San Antonio, could utilize 50 additional employees annually in general park development. They could be utilized in clearing and opening of land areas to provide open spaces for playgrounds, picnic areas, nature trails, and the like. In addition, they could be well utilized in augmenting presently established crews engaged in installation of irrigation systems, construction of park roads and paths, erection of playground equipment and picnic units, and allied park work. A large crew, I would estimate to be about 100, could be utilized, if additional funds were provided for equipment and materials in park development work. Our long-range master plan would indicate that an augmentation, as mentioned in the two preceding paragraphs, would cover a period of 5 years. There fore, each plan, under a 5-year program, could be estimated at 250 man-years and 500 man-years, respectively. The above estimate is solely my own and has not been referred to local city officials for approval or policy. It has been my pleasure to make the estimate for you. ROBERT L. FRAZER, Director, Department of Parks and Recreation. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX., July 7, 1964. Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: This has reference to your letter of July 1, 1964, regarding our program for the development of parks, etc. We have recently received voter approval for the issuance of $800,000 of bonds for park improvements in the city. The work will be performed by regular city personnel. Much more could be done, and will be done as funds become available, under plans presently available. We would be glad to have any additional data developed on the subject. JAMES L. BARNARD, Mayor. CITY OF HARLINGEN, Harlingen, Tex., June 30, 1964. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. NELSON: As a result of your request of June 12, 1964, we have arrived at the following estimates for a project which could be undertaken immediately: 1. Park development: 191 acres presently undeveloped in 5 decicated parks. Man-years required_- 2. Municipal Lake: 75 acres of water, 20 acres shoreline developed for recreation, municipal water supply. Man-years required_____ 3. Municipal golf course: Development and completion of 27-hole course. Man-years required_--- 4. Arroyo Colorado: Development, beautification, and conservation. years required___. 5. Roadside improvement: 137 miles. Man-years required___ Total man-years required_--. Man 120 326 It has been a pleasure to assist you in the research of utilization of unemployed workers. If I may be of further assistance I should be most happy to DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Under the present organization of our department, we could utilize only small numbers of people in the programs you are interested in. We operate on an extremely limited budget, most of which goes into our fire control program. Also, at this time, our department does not administer any State land. |