Title: Evangeline Archer's Letters to the Editor and Such (1955 – 1979) – Part 2 of 5

Letters to the Editor can reveal the heart and spirit of a person and remind us of the issues of the day. This five-part series contains many of Evangeline Archer’s Letters to the Editor. All are from the Northwest Arkansas Times.

Jan 15, 1965
[Don’t Be Misled]
To the Editor:
Those of your readers who read the excellent article on the Buffalo River in your issue of January 11 will not be misled by the hint of compromise in the Corps of Engineers recommendation for a high dam at the Gilbert site, nor will the members of Ozark Society.
It may need re-stating, however, that this dam proposed for the Buffalo River would destroy it forever as a free-flowing stream, would produce extreme ugliness in drawdowns, would change the ecology of the region, and would render the river unfit and unacceptable by the National Park Service as a National river.
The issue is by no means decided.
Mrs. L. Archer
Secretary, Ozark Society

Jul 21, 1965
[Stay Alert]
To the Editor:
The Hon. James W. Trimble has asked the chief of engineers to overrule the recommendation of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors for de-authorization of Water Valley Dam on the Eleven Point River and that this dam be built.
The chief of engineers is recommending to the secretary of the army that this dam be built in spite of the above-mentioned recommendation of the board.
When the board announced its recommendation for de-authorization there was a great feeling of relief on the part of very many people that the prolonged and gallant fight to save the Eleven Point River might be drawing to a successful close. The Eleven Point and the Buffalo are both recommended for preservation by the joint Interior-Agriculture study.
Just how this action on the part of the congressman from the Third district was discovered I do not know. The fact is here presented for the citizen-taxpayer to interpret as to him seems reasonable.
Mrs. L. Archer

Aug 22, 1966
[Protect the Grand Canyon]
To the Editor:
Rep. James W. Trimble favors the two dams on the Colorado River Bridge Canyon, Marble Canyon. These two dams, to cost an estimated $750,000,000 will do irreparable harm to Grand Canyon National Park and to Grand Canyon National Monument.
These dams are for power production only. They are supposed to help to pay for the much larger Lower Colorado River Basin Project.
Citizens are in the outrageous position of being asked to pay for unnecessary dams which will damage national scenic wonders which they had assumed to belong to themselves.
The bill which includes these dams, H.R. 4671, will come to the House floor very soon. Anyone who feels concerned about the situation should write our representatives immediately.
The bill is by no means without opposition, but it has been approved by the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House with 22 for, 10 against.
One of the most outspoken opponents is Rep. John P. Saylor of Pennsylvania. He is to be commended for this stand.
Evangeline Archer

Jul 18, 1968
[Highways vs. Nature]
To the Editor:
I have just received an urgent communication from the Citizens Committee on Natural Resources (Washington, D.C.).
Only two years ago the Department of Transportation Act provided protection for public parks, recreation areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges and historic sites against highway encroachment from any federally aided transportation project “unless there is no feasible and prudent alternative.”
Now H.R. 17134 (pending Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968) has been passed removing these long-needed restrictions. The Senate on July 1 voted approval of S. 3418, containing none of the House anti-conservation provisions.
A Senate–House conference committee is responsible for reconciling these bills. Unless there is prevailing public influence for supporting the Senate version, with its protective features, no park, monument, wildlife or waterfowl refuge, public recreation area or historic site in America will be safe from assault by highway builders.
If this matters to you, please write (air mail) or wire your congressmen and senators now. Do not wait for tomorrow.
Mrs. Laird Archer

Nov 4, 1968
Conservation Candidate
To the Editor:
Voters, even some already decided to support Humphrey-Muskie, may not realize how vitally their support is related to conservation.
Mr. Humphrey already has to his credit years of achievement in conservation efforts in the Congress. In pledging his continued efforts, Mr. Humphrey says:
“Modern as we may seem, we remain a part of nature. If, in conquering nature, we destroy it, we will also destroy ourselves – physically and spiritually.”
“I pledge an America where progress is not at war with beauty.”
“We regard government – state, local, and Federal – as the active trustee for all Americans of our country’s natural beauty, and environmental and recreational resources.”
“I have already proposed a cabinet-level Domestic Policy Council to focus on vital domestic issues which involve more than one Federal department. I will assure that environmental factors are a key element in all its decisions and that the national goal of environmental betterment receives the full attention it deserves.”
“I shall work for a cleaner, more beautiful America whose natural endowments are developed for the enjoyment of all her citizens – not for the exploitation of the few. We must all recognize, however, that Federal action – while essential – cannot do the job. Conservation is everybody’s task.”
“For if our efforts falter, our children – and their children – will be condemned to a gray, drab life devoid of natural beauty and constantly threatened by environmental poisoning. If I am elected President, I pledge that this shall not happen.”
Senator Muskie’s leadership helped to pass the Water Quality Act of 1965 and the Clean Water Act of 1966 – landmark legislation.
The Humphrey-Muskie goals for conservation, and the established records of leadership of both, cannot be overlooked in coming to a decision as to the delegation of power for the betterment of our country.
Laird and Evangeline Archer
Fayetteville

Jan 28, 1969
New Danger Noted
To the Editor:
It looks as if conservation may be in more difficulty than that which lies with Mr. Hickel.
According to Time magazine, Secretary of Commerce Stans’ avocation is big game hunting and he bagged a rare antelope in the Congo.
Whatever it is which moves human predators to kill the world’s rare and marvelous wildlife – an inner insecurity, a desire for a strange kind of statue symbol, or the sheer pleasure of killing – it may well be that only the strong pressure of public opinion plus the sincere interest shown by enlightened members of the Congress can secure the passage of the Endangered Species bill, which narrowly failed in the last session of the Congress.
Evangeline Archer
Fayetteville

Apr 12, 1969
The ‘Eternal Quest’
To the Editor:
Your comment (editorial, April 7) on “the massive destruction of scenic values along State Highways 21 and 43 in Madison and Newton Counties” is appreciated. Your readers may be interested in a statement made by Alexander B. Adams, author of ETERNAL QUEST, THE STORY OF THE GREAT NATURALISTS:
“There is … an indication that at least some people require the natural world for emotional survival. This cannot be dismissed lightly as merely the fancy of a bird watcher. It is deeply rooted in human character, and to satisfy this need may, in the long run, be more vital to the progress of the human race than the construction of skyscrapers or the building of super jets.”
This interesting new book is in our excellent public library.
Mrs. L. Archer
Fayetteville

#SaveMarkhamHill #PreserveFayetteville #KeepFayettevilleForested #MarkhamHillHistory

(for all photos go to Friends of Markham Hill on Facebook)
Photo of the people boarding the Jubilee bus is from Neil Compton's book 'The Battle For The Buffalo River'.
View of the Buffalo River from the bluff is from Lisa Orton. 
Remaining photos of the Buffalo River are from Teresa Turk.