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Correspondence: G. A. Schulze to John D. Coffman, September 15, 1934

  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-2301.jpg
  • In this memorandum to Mr. Coffman, G. A. Schulze, Associate Forester, discusses the desirability of appointing a technical coordinator or field representative of the combined branches of the Park Service.
  • h UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Hovember 15, 193^ Memorandum to Mr. Coffman: I have for sometime been turning over in my mind the idea of the desirability of a technical coordinator or field representative of the combined branches of the Park Service. Observations of the difficulties encountered at recent meetings is to the unified repre leads to the conviction that their solutionijy^e^jio^t effectively in sentation in the field.w , n t. IT . Western Carolina University 3y such en arrangement a large part o^lne controversy to which administrative officers must now give their time would be satisfactorily adjusted in the field. The advantage to both the administrative office and the field work is obvious. The former would deal, in this case, principally with the coordinator, reserving only $iose problems for joint meetings the significance and importance of which would put them outside of the province of this officer, and the field would have a more direct and practicable contact with one who could assist in making decisions on the coordination of minor details. Such a man should, of course, have a thorough background of training and experience at least in the constructive and conservation professions represented in the various branches of the Park Service, and preferably should have a fairly comprehensive understanding of the fields of research which are a part of its general scheme of activity. Under the present program of action the Park Superintendent is theoretically just such a coordinating agent. But in practical application few of these men are capable of rendering purely technical decisions and, in view of their administrative duties, are forced to leave entirely to their direct assistants all questions on these various phases of park work, which sooner or later are referred to Washington for action. The idea seems to me, at least, worth a trial, especially as it is capable of very practical application to at least a few of the more dose- ly allied branches. G. A. Schulze, Associate Porester. GAS:BIG