- September 10, 1931 – JSA to Ellwood Rabenold –
My dear Mr. Rabenold:
Glad to learn from your letter of the 8th that you are coming this direction. Why not join me tomorrow night for a trip up to the Lake over Saturday, after which I can drive you on to Syracuse Sunday morning, and back to Albany for the night boat, or put you into an airplane somewhere along the line. Whichever suits your pleasure will be agreeable to me.
While I am writing, I might quote the following appearing in the Weekly News of the New York League of Women Voters:
“ No. #5 – Authorizing acquisition by the State of land outside the Adirondack and Catskill Parks for reforestation; the protection and management of forests thereon and the establishment and maintenance of tree nurseries; and appropriations for these purposes of $1,000,000 the first year and a smaller amounts annually over a period of seven years. (Art. VII, new Section 16).
The object of this amendment is to make use of thousands of acres now worthless as farm land. The property would be kept as wild forest, it would protect the water supply and add to our parks, while the sale of timber under proper forestry methods is expected to make a profit to the state. This is not the amendment permitting recreational facilities and roads in the forest preserve, about which there has been much debate. This will come before the voters in 1932.”
You will note that the property would be kept as “wild forest” and the amendment is referred to as #5, whereas in the reforestation pamphlet it is referred to as #3.
Hope you have had an opportunity of seeing Col. Simmons in your building. Honorary Vice President of the Izaak Walton League. There appears to be great dissatisfaction in that organization over the Hewitt Amendment. I still hope that their stand at the public hearing will be repudiated at their annual convention now in session at Penn Yan.
Sincerely yours,
JSApperson