Paterson, N.J., is the oldest manufacturing center in the United States. Its past has seen the city as the national leader in steam locomotive, and cotton and silk manufacturing. However, it has witnessed a severe economic decline that commenced before the crash of 1929. At the present time the Paterson section is classified as a depressed area by the Federal Government. Passaic County started its park system in 1927. Funds were furnished by floating a 40-year bond issue for land acquisition. Practically all capital improvements of the parks were completed over a 5-year period, by the Works Progress Administration. This work was ended in 1939. The operation of the park system depends mainly upon yearly contributions by the Passaic County Board of Freeholders, whose budget shows a substantial amount for welfare needs. Your proposed legislation interested me because at the present time the use of 50,000 man-hours could be utilized for needed capital improvements in the Passaic County Park Commission. Again, may I endorse your conservation program and any legislation that will aid urbanized areas to retain the few green acres that are left, that will benefit this county for years to come. Wishing you success for your most worthy project, the Passaic County Park Commission extends to you its thanks for your concern of our problems. Yours sincerely, JOHN J. CROWLEY, Director. BERGEN COUNTY PARK COMMISSION, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. MY DEAR MR. NELSON: It is a pleasure indeed to reply to your letter of June 15, 1964, as we consider your legislative plans will benefit the entire population directly and indirectly. I trust the following information will be of some help in drafting the proposed legislation. The Bergen County Park Commission controls approximately 3,921.37 acres of land. Of this 1,894 acres are to be developed for park and recreational purposes the balance has been developed and is being used for parks and recreation. We are in the process of acquiring additional open land before it is absorbed by indiscriminate industrial and real estate developers. Your proposed legislation would help speed up the development of additional parks, so greatly needed to take care of the enormous increase in population in Bergen County, N.J. We could utilize unemployed workers for a number of projects necessary for the development of parks and general recreational areas. The projects would include the construction of roads, nature trails, campsites, forestry work, land and stream clearing, nursery and landscaping projects. We estimate that in order to complete our present and future planned park and recreational areas we could use a hundred men for at lest 10 years. We certainly hope you meet with every success in putting through your proposed legislation. If we of the Bergen County Park Commission can be of any assistance to you, do not hesitate to write us. Sincerely yours, JAMES A. McFAUL, Executive Director. MORRIS COUNTY PARK COMMISSION, Senator GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Thank you for your letter of June 15, 1964, inquiring about whether the Morris County Park Commission could make use of unemployed workers if Federal funds were available. Our commission is only 7 years old and our primary objective has been that of land acquisition. You can understand, therefore, that many workers could be employed in the development of our park system. We already have four parks opened which consists of well over 200 acres each and each park has an approved master plan. Therefore we would be able to utilize workers to be employed for the removal of deadwood and other selective cleaning projects. At the present time we use a limited county prison crew on a volunteer basis. These prison workers are not trained and we have found them most helpful in the development of our parks and it would seem to me that a similar work program of unemployed men would be most useful. Thank you for your inquiry and in the event we can be of any further service to you please call upon us at your convenience. Very truly yours, R. W. MYERS, Secretary-Director. TOWN OF MORRISTOWN, N.J., Senator GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Mr. Abato retired in May 1964, I am therefore taking the liberty in answering your inquiry. Your idea to use unemployed workers on conservation and recreational development projects is both timely and worthwhile. Morristown, population 17,700, covers an area of 2.9 square miles. Within its boundaries the town maintains 40 acres of parks and playgrounds. Some of this acreage is wooded area with streams and lakes. Assistance which you propose could be readily used here. Clearing of dense underbrush, fallen trees and snagging of debris from the shorelines of the lakes and streams are a few of the work items to be accomplished. This labor force could also be used to build bridal paths, nature trails, and assist in the construction of benches, picnic tables, fireplaces, shelters and other needed facilities. A rough estimate of our requirements would be a labor force of 12 men for 11⁄2 years. Since this work is waiting to be done, very little preparation would be required. The Morristown National Historical Park, administered by the Department of the Interior, could very readily use assistance. Dr. Francis Ronalds, park director, is better qualified to advise you of his needs. The county of Morris has recently set up a county park commission which has been very active in acquiring park sites. However, many of these sites require extensive development, therefore assistance as you propose might hasten the day these sites will be open to the public. Senator Harrison A. Williams, of New Jersey, has an avid interest in preserving open spaces for recreational use. Perhaps he might become one of your supporters, too. In conclusion, I wish you success with your program, and if I can be of any further assistance please feel free to contact me. Sincerely yours, Senator GAYLORD NELSON, GEORGE E. BURKE, Superintendent of Public Works. BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: We, in East Orange, N.J., are very much interested in the proposed legislation to provide funds for municipal agencies to utilize unemployed workers on conservation projects such as park developments, etc. We have a 2,300-acre water reserve which we plan to develop for recreational purposes. If funds were available, we could use a substantial number of work ers to clear land for such projects as a golf course, picnicking facilities, nature trails, and day camp facilities. It is difficult to estimate how many man-years of work would be involved, but it would seem that we could keep 20 workmen busy for at least 4 or 5 years. We believe that this work will be initiated regardless of whether or not Federal assistance is adopted. It would mean, however, that the development would take a great deal longer to complete since only a small sum would be appropriated each year. If we can be of assistance to you in promoting this legislation, we would be happy to do so. Sincerely, GRAHAM M. SKEA. RIEGEL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC., Senator GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.O. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I have your letter of June 16, 1964, requesting information regarding the possible utilization of unemployed workers in conservation projects such as park development, roadside improvement, timber improvement, etc. As with most other communities I am sure that our community foundation could utilize workers in various conservation and recreation work if funds were available. It would be difficult however to make any meaningful estimate of the number of man-years of work which might be usefully undertaken in the immediate future. Insofar as general comments are concerned, it is my personal opinion that the type of legislation you are considering will not be a panacea for unemployment, but should certainly help ameliorate its extent, and at the same time produce many conservational and recreational facilities that will be used heavily by a society that can expect to have large amounts of leisure in the future. Very truly yours, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DONALD E. HAWKINS, Director, Riegel Community Foundation, Inc. CITY OF CAMDEN, MY DEAR SENATOR: In reply to your letter of June 15, 1964, we could definitely utilize substantial numbers of workers in our programs if funds were available. Our specific projects would be the clearing, development, and construction of new recreation sites. My estimate of the number of man-years of work would be unlimited as we would need help for repairs and reconditioning of the present sites as well as the development of new sites. Very truly yours, Senator GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. ALBERT BASS, Supervisor of Recreation. RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Yes, the Recreation & Parks Department of Montclair, N.J., could use unemployed workers. I have on file a list of 10 or more needed improvements which could easily require 24 men for a year. Unfortunately, no local funds are available for this work at this time. Cordially yours, ALAN L. HEIL, Superintendent. NEW MEXICO RESPONSES Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, STATE OF NEW MEXICO, Senate Office Building, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Thank you for your query of May 29, 1964. We hope you will be successful in drafting and having legislation passed to provide funds to Federal, State, county, and municipal agencies to utilize unemployed workers on conservation projects such as park development, roadside improvement, timber stand improvement, etc. New Mexico has 14 counties, five Indian Reservations and 19 Pueblos which are classified as 5b counties or reservations by the Area Redevelopment Administration. This entire area is one of long-term underemployment and underdevelopment. Success in your plans would therefore provide innumerable ways in which many of New Mexico's unemployed could be successfully employed. It would also provide considerable benefits to the natural resources involved in the programs you suggest. The following will attempt to disclose educated guesses on the specifics of your question. If funds were available, projects which you have named and others could be commenced with very little new preparation and planning in the following fields: 1. U.S. Forest Service (Carson, Santa Fe, Cibola, and Lincoln National 900 400 6. 18 counties not classified as 5-b counties but in need of similar-type work for unemployed, estimated man-years of work 3. Bureau of Indian Affairs (5 Indian reservations and 19 Pueblos-unemployment rate exceedingly high); estimated man-years of work____ 1, 200 4. State Park and Recreation Commission, estimated man-years of work-5. 14 5-b counties, estimated man-years of work---- 600 1, 400 800 7. 27 municipal agencies under 2,500 in population, estimated man-years of work--- 8. 10 municipal agencies with populations of 2,500 to 50,000, estimated manyears of work____ 600 800 The above estimates on man-years are based on the man-years of work accomplished for $14 million worth of accelerated public works projects within the State with an attempt made to correlate them to project applications which are pending and other projects which are known to be needed. If you find that any future information might be helpful, we will be happy to forward it. Best luck and good wishes in your endeavors for this much needed legislation. Yours very truly, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senator, Washington, D.C. JOHN W. FLYNN, State Planning Officer. By HENRY R. SMITH, Coordinator of Community Aid Programs. STATE OF NEW MEXICO, STATE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: In reply to your letter of May 29, we could certainly utilize a substantial number of workers in our programs if funds were available. We are in need of manpower to construct camping shelters, picnic and camping areas, boat-launching facilities, nature trails, signs, and any number of other things that need to be done in State park-owned areas. We are now in the process of expanding our State park and recreation system, and there is much that needs to be done. Offhand I could not estimate the number of man-years of work which might be usefully undertaken in the immediate future for work of this kind. The only general comment I might make at this time is that from our standpoint, at least, we are operating with a very limited budget, and it would be awfully difficult for us to provide much money for a matching fund, if this is what you have in mind. However, any plan would certainly be beneficial and more than welcome by this department. Very truly yours, FLOYD CROSS, STATE OF NEW MEXICO, COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, DEAR SENATOR: Your letter of June 3 regarding legislation you are drafting to utilize unemployed workers on conservation projects is greatly appreciated. The New Mexico State constitution (art. 21, sec. 2) disclaims State jurisdiction over the Indian reservations; but this commission, while it does not have jurisdiction over the reservations, is always welcomed cordially to the reservations, and we work closely with the Indian people and help in every way we can to promote their interests. They are frequent visitors to the office for assistance with various personal and tribal problems, and we are deeply interested in all that concerns them. Not the least of their problems is unemployment, which averages 50 percent but which on some reservations is practically total, hence the need for projects which will provide employment on or off the reservations. Federal works project funds have been committed for such programs as timber stand improvement, recreation facilities, community centers, and similar activities, but funds were so meager that they did not go far. The Indians will be available for the projects you mention: park development, roadside improvement, and timber stand improvement, and it is to be hoped that funds will be made available. The New Mexico Department of Development, which has worked with the Area Redevelopment Administration, is better acquainted than I with plans for off-reservation projects, and so I have referred your letter to Mr. Bob Hoffman, director of development, and asked him to give you his suggestions, along with an estimated number of man-hours or man-years which might be usefully undertaken in the immediate future. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. CHARLES E. MINTON, STATE OF NEW MEXICO, DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH, Sante Fe, June 16, 1964. Senator GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Reference is made to your letter of June 3 regarding utilization of funds for conservation programs in New Mexico. The potential here in New Mexico is virtually unlimited. There are thousands and thousands of acres of public land upon which development of trails and recreational areas could be accomplished with manpower and very little capital outlay. Vast amounts of forest improvement to create additional big-game habitat would also be possible if manpower were available. Our operation is financed strictly with funds derived from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and, for this reason, many, many jobs that would benefit the public and improve utilization of our natural resources here in New Mexico will have to wait until funds become available and these various projects come up on the priority list. I might add that funds made available with the requirement that 50-50 matching funds be supplied by the State can hardly be used for projects of this type since so many other high priority projects involving capital outlay are scheduled on our nature programs. 37-181-64-15 |