130 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



that exists in many of our rural areas and in the villages and towns 

 that exist throughout the Nation. 



Cities are equipped with engineers, planners, architects, landscape 

 architects, and people in other professions to guide and direct their 

 activities. What are we planning and what are we doing about the 

 small communities that do not have these services, yet need them 

 more than anyone else? 



Many of these little towns and cities are experiencing the push 

 of the city population out into their areas. They certainly are faced 

 with the problem of land use. Because of their small budgets, they 

 must use open space land for other town facilities. Many of these 

 towns and cities, however, are not directly looking for Federal aid. 

 In fact, they resent in many instances accepting Federal aid because 

 of the encroachment that will result from the use of Federal funds. 



Is there some approach being made by this panel? Have you 

 discussed it? 



Mr. DAVIS. The point is well taken that the need for parks and 

 open space in our major cities is most dramatic. But this does not 

 take away for a minute the fact that there is every bit as much need 

 to make the smaller towns comfortable and liveable and pleasant. 

 It is even more important in some instances, to make sure the people 

 do not leave these smaller cities because of their drabness and look 

 of uninterest. 



The President's program for open space acquisition and pending 

 proposals are equally available to any local agency that can qualify, 

 that is, who can contract with the Federal Government. Under the 

 present program we have made a grant of $1,000 to one township 

 in Pennsylvania. There are only a few thousand souls in this town- 

 ship, but I am sure they have a conservation approach to their 

 land use problem. In your own State and the neighboring State of 

 Massachusetts you are far ahead of most of the country in the 

 establishment of conservation groups and conservation commissions 

 authorized under State laws to take a good hard look at the physical 

 environment of your smaller towns and cities. 



Mr. DIETRICH. I want to commend Mrs. Jacobs' statement about 

 the budget. She points out a very definite deficiency. We are all in 

 support of what she has said. 



CALVIN S. HAMILTON. It seems to me we need legislation 

 which allows park subdistricts in cities. This can help implement 



