STATE OF ARKANSAS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
LITTLE ROCK
ORVAL E. FAUBUS, GOVERNOR
July 14, 1965
Dr. Neil Compton
Bentonville, Arkansas
Dear Dr. Compton:
This acknowledges your letter of June 23rd in reference to the Buffalo
River project.
My position is known to Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall. He told
me sometime ago in Washington that we would be successful in getting
the Buffalo River project. It seems the only obstacle in the way at the
present time is Congressman Trimble's commitment to the construction
of the dam on the river.
Also, you may know that the sentiment in the town of Marshall in Searcy
County is very strongly in favor of the dams and against the establishment
of the river. Also, it is a fact that I cannot make the decision. The
decision must be made by the federal authorities. If I came out openly
and strongly on one side or the other at present, I could lose the support
of certain legislators in that area who are sometimes very important in
the passage of programs in the Arkansas General Assembly. You know,
it takes a three-fourths vote of the authorized membership of both houses
to pass many appropriations and many other measures.
Therefore, I think it is not wise for me to become engaged in a controversy
which I cannot decide, and in which my attitude would not be decisive, and,
thus, jeopardize the possibility of passage of worthwhile and progressive
programs for the State of Arkansas.
I am personally of the opinion that the National River Recreational Area
will be the ultimate decision of the federal government. I certainly hope
so. I am strongly in favor of it, and now I must remind you that this letter
to you is confidential and is not to be used publicly. I merely wanted to
explain to you how I could offer more loss than gain by taking an open
position on this problem.
Most sincerely,
[signature not present]
OEF:dlt
