Page:Final Report of the Northwest Territory Celebration Commission.pdf/23

 States of Northwest Territory took definite part in the national program as well as local observances. Without this feature. Northwest Territory Celebration would be like many previous commemorations—not widely known or closely observed and quickly forgotten.

The undertaking was not without its complexities and because it was, so far as we know, entirely new in celebration procedure, it will be described in considerable detail.

It was obvious to the Commission that such a feature would come closely in contact with the Northeast quarter of the United States, containing almost half (forty-five per cent) of the nation's population,

It would probably create news value which would attract the attention of the entire country, and would last over a long enough period to afford the advantages of repetition and what advertising men call "soaking in".

Because of its newness, and the entire lack of experience of the commission staff in such matters, considerable research and consultation with technical experts was necessary. The first such conference was with Wm. Farnsworth. Associate National Director of Federal Theatre in Washington, D.C. Mr. Farnsworth enthusiastically approved the drama and "punch" of the project, and outlined the mechanics of it from the standpoint of theatre technique.

Request was made that Federal Theatre personnel, finance and direct the project, and while no definite assurance could be given until the future of Federal Theatre Project was determined by Congress, it was indicated that Mr. Farnsworth was much in sympathy and would personally recommend it.

This was in late 1936, and negotiations proceeded along this line until January 1937, when at a conference in Washington, with some fifteen heads of the professional projects present, the plan was approved if Federal Theatre were continued upon the approximate basis then applying.

This was the status until June 1937 when Federal Theatre in New York was having labor trouble of such serious nature that there was talk of closing the project entirely.

Mr. Reames and the writer, being in New York at the time, in connection with preparations for the New York program, were witnesses to the agitations, demonstrations and serious difficulties which beset Federal Theatre.

It was quite apparent that to start the caravan under such circumstances would mean an almost certain disaster. Further, it was evident that the people who were on Federal Theatre—actors, etc.—were not of the type physically capable of standing the hardships of this unusual trek.

After conference with the officials of Federal Theatre, it was decided to ask the Civilian Conservation Corps to take over personnelling the caravan.

The plan proposed was unique and appealing. There were to be forty-eight men in the party, and there are forty-eight States in the Union,

C. C. C. has a dramatic department for its members, and many of these boys are very good. In fact, so good, according to