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land. Without exception it was found that land owners were willing to do this.

The method of securing land was also applied to the~oblem of equipment and im-

provements. Playgrounds already established were more or less oompletely equipped. In

the event that school or other funds were not available for the purchase of equipment, the

situation was met by appealing to organizations, individuals and business men. The re-

sponse was both heartening and generous. No really necessary piece of equipment was left
unprovided for. Seemingly impossible problems of obtaining equipment were solved by appeal-

ing to oivic and patriotic organizations for aid. In one instance a swimming pool was built

entirely without cost, labor, material and equipment being donated. Sponsorship of each

unit of the expanding system by civic organizations or leaders generally went with their
interest and enthusiasm in the work.

Telephone and electric light companies donated poles and mail order houses supplied

the chicilen wire for back-stopsf hardware and sporting-goods stores supplied athletic

equipment; lumber companies gave lumber and oement; contractors loaned the use of machinery

for grading;oil companies donated oil and gasoline and hundreds of citizens gave freely of

their labor. Such was the outpouring of sympathetic assistance in recognition of the worth
of the work and the sincerity of the workers.

In addition to the recreational Ereas, school grounds were thrown open and equipment,

gymnasia, stages and swimming pools were obtained from school boards. In many instances

school rooms and auditoriums were thrown open for the evening activities of both children

and adults. Almost without excepti on it was found that school boards wre glad to cooperate

with the movement in this way.

It is of historic interest to record here before passing on to the next phase of

recreation project under the State Emergency Relief· Admihistration program, that several

other projects which later leaped into national significanoe and scope were conceived,

planned, organized and put into operation by the County Recreation Department under

James K.Reid's directorship and under the active leadership of Mr. Dahl and Major Miller
during the last six months of 1933•

Among these were the Musicians Project which quickly absorbed 400 unemployed
professional musicians; the Drama Project, forerunner of the Federal Theater Project,