Correspondence between Zebulon Weaver, Arno B. Cammerer, and David C. Chapman, 1935-36

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 David C. Chapman, President of the Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association, Arno Cammerer, , Director of the National Park Service, and Zebulon Weaver-a set of 10 letters-revolves around issues in land acquisition for the park. Zebulon Weaver to David C. Chapman, December 20, 1935 In this letter Weaver refers to disagreeing with Mr. Cammerer’s view regarding land acquisition by the Park and also states he would be going to Washington soon to deal with the issue. David C. Chapman to Zebulon Weaver, December 14, 1935 In this letter David Chapman refers to an enclosed letter from Mr. Cammerer stating that 445,000 acres were needed to complete the park instead of 400,000. Chapman feels it would be helpful if Weaver went to Washington to sort this matter out with the Attorney General. Arno B. Cammerer to David C. Chapman, December 7, 1935 In this letter Cammerer states he was not comfortable to acquire 400,000 acres to establish Smokies as a completed park. He also advises Chapman’s conservation group to await the efforts of the Park to secure more money for securing what he considered sufficient acreage needed for completion of the park. David C. Chapman to Arno B. Cammerer, December 14, 1935 In this letter Chapman states he was confident of securing a ruling from the Attorney General that once 400,000 acreas were acquired the Smokies would be considered a completed park. Delaying this further for more acreage would create a lot of disappointment and bad feelings about the delays in completing this venture. David C. Chapman to Zebulon Weaver, December 24, 1935 In this letter Chapman mentions that Representative from the Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee were of the same opinion as with Weaver and saw no reasons for delay in the completion of the Park. David C. Chapman to Zebulon Weaver, January 3, 1936 In this letter Chapman states that he agrees with Cam that declaring the Smokies a completed park might prevent them from getting the balance of the money needed for the park. He also requests Weaver to follow up on this matter with Secretary Ickes or the President in Washington. Zebulon Weaver to David C. Chapman, January 6, 1936 In this letter Weaver mentions he feels that acquiring 400,000 acres would allow the Smokies to be established as a completed park and that he was confident it would be open within the year. He also mentions following up on the matters with Daniels, Cam, and if possible Secretary Ickes. David C. Chapman to Zebulon Weaver, January 11, 1936 In this letter Chapman states that Cam thought they had enough acreage for the Smokies to be declared a completed park but that Cam wanted to wait till they got the allotment. David C. Chapman to Zebulon Weaver, January 24, 1936 In this letter Champan mentions while some allotment had come through, it was important for the matter to be pursued to get the remaining money. He also mentions Senator McKeller being unhappy with Cam since the latter did not spend any of the allotted money in Tennessee. Zebulon Weaver to David C. Chapman, January 27, 1936 In this letter Weaver discusses the source of the allotted funds. He also states he was sorry that Cam’s role was being misunderstood by McKeller while people in North Carolina thought he was spending money on Tennessee