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ELEVEN ORVAL FAUBUS COMES TO BAT Harry Pearson continued to provide the latest news, most of it encouraging, if not sometimes overoptimistic. But some of it would turn out to be factual enough to make the big difference in the long run (Pine Bluff Commercial, June 13,1965): Washington Ready to Act on Buffalo "National River" The Johnson Administration has decided to sponsor legislation to make the Buffalo River a national river. This decision, along with two other new developments, has decidedly brightened the picture for those dedicated to preserving the river as a free-flowing stream. The other new developments: -Governor Faubus, in letters to two Pine Bluff proponents of a free-flowing river, has endorsed the national river idea. -Congressman Wilbur Mills of Kensett, who favors the national river concept, is now directly involved in the fight as a result of congressional redistricting.... The entrance of Mills into the picture may give Trimble just the excuse he needs to back down somewhat on the issue. All the Washington proponents of the river want is simply a lack ofactive opposition from Trimble. Another avenue of withdrawal for the congressman may come from the Engineers themselves. Historically the Engineers have never built a dam which the governor of the state involved opposes. Here is what Governor Faubus said in a letter to Anthony T. Schimmel of1919 West nth Avenue in Pine Bluff: "I agree with you that this is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in America. It is also my favorite vacation area, and I get there for fishing trips whenever I have the opportunity. I would regret to see anything done which would destroy the natural beauty ofthis great free-flowing river...." In the second letter, the Governor told Mrs. C. W. Horwedel of 2701 Howard Drive in Pine Bluff: 225 ELEVEN ORVAL FAUBUS COMES TO BAT Harry Pearson continued to provide the latest news, most of it encouraging, if not sometimes overoptimistic. But some of it would turn out to be factual enough to make the big difference in the long run (Pine Bluff Commercial, June 13,1965): Washington Ready to Act on Buffalo "National River" The Johnson Administration has decided to sponsor legislation to make the Buffalo River a national river. This decision, along with two other new developments, has decidedly brightened the picture for those dedicated to preserving the river as a free-flowing stream. The other new developments: -Governor Faubus, in letters to two Pine Bluff proponents of a free-flowing river, has endorsed the national river idea. -Congressman Wilbur Mills of Kensett, who favors the national river concept, is now directly involved in the fight as a result of congressional redistricting.... The entrance of Mills into the picture may give Trimble just the excuse he needs to back down somewhat on the issue. All the Washington proponents of the river want is simply a lack ofactive opposition from Trimble. Another avenue of withdrawal for the congressman may come from the Engineers themselves. Historically the Engineers have never built a dam which the governor of the state involved opposes. Here is what Governor Faubus said in a letter to Anthony T. Schimmel of1919 West nth Avenue in Pine Bluff: "I agree with you that this is one of the most beautiful scenic spots in America. It is also my favorite vacation area, and I get there for fishing trips whenever I have the opportunity. I would regret to see anything done which would destroy the natural beauty of this great free-flowing river...." In the second letter, the Governor told Mrs. C. W. Horwedel of 2701 Howard Drive in Pine Bluff: 225 "I have made very few public statements on the matter. "However, it is my viewpoint that the Buffalo should be preserved as a national recreation area. We already have so many dams and beautiful lakes in that region that I believe it will be to the advantage of Arkansas economically and tourist wise to have the national river, rather than one or two more dams and lakes." The use of President Johnson's name in the controversy may have been presumptuous since there was no public word from that source on the matter. But we did have reason. There had recently appeared on the scene a knowledgeable gentleman from Washington, D.C., Dr. Spencer M. Smith, Jr., secretary of the Citizens Committee on Natural Resources. He was here, he said, as an agent for President Johnson to investigate and to evaluate...

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