Correspondence between J. W. Pless and Zebulon Weaver, February, 1932

Zebulon Weaver (1872-1948) was a lawyer and U.S. Representative from western North Carolina. He was a member of the North Carolina Park Commission and was involved in the land acquisition process that went towards establishment of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and development of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This correspondence between J. W. Pless and Zebulon Weaver deals with the repeal of the Recapture Clause affecting railways. Following are summaries of each of these letters: J. W. Pless to Zebulon Weaver, February 24, 1932 In this letter Pless first identifies himself as Division Counsel in charge of the Cinchfield Railroad in North Carolina and then proceeds to discuss the bill before Congress that would repeal the Recapture Clause by which the railroads were to pay to the Government one-half of excess their profits over six percent. According to Pless railroads, in view of rising costs of operation, should be allowed to conserve their revenue for improvements and future losses and he hoped Weaver would consider this in the Congress. Zebulon Weaver to J . W. Pless, February 27, 1932 In his response Weaver assures Pless he was aware how the Recapture Clause had hurt some railways and he hoped Congress would remedy this situation during the current session