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Removing Spike from Crown (View from Torch)
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STATUE REOPENED
Fifty-two years ago in October President Cleveland
dedicated the gift of France to a sister republic and Liberty
Enlightening the World began her dual task of upholding the torch of
freedom and battling the all-year elements in New York harbor. Like all
earthly garments, her classical robes of 3/16-inch copper, skilfully
draped by Bartholdi over her 152-foot stature, finally began to show
wear at the seams and the colossal folds of her dress let the rain come
in. Besides the disrepair of her wardrobe, other defects developed.
Extensive renovation accordingly was begun in the summer of 1937 and, by
last spring, restorative operations necessitated closing the statue to
the public.
Visitors were readmitted this month after workers
under supervision of the Service had: 1) overhauled, cleaned and
repainted the structural steel skeleton; 2) repaired the anchorage
attaching the copper exterior to the frame; 3) removed the antiquated,
unsafe steel stair and installed a reinforced concrete stairway from the
lower landing to the top of the pedestal; 4) repainted the entire
interior of the statue and pedestal; 5) rebuilt the seven spikes of the
headdress (They range from 11 feet 5 inches to 7 feet), and, 6) provided
a modern electric distribution system for interior illumination. As a
result, the Statue of Liberty National Monument, most famous Service
area of the recent era, has been made safe again and far more convenient
for the thousands of Americans who visit it annually.
Meanwhile, several features of the general program of
development for Bedloe Island are in progress. Demolition of the
buildings which were used by the Army is under way and construction of a
seawall is advancing.
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SOUTH CAROLINA VENTURE CALLED 'EXPERIMENT
OF GREAT VALUE'
Herbert Evison, Associate Regional Director, asked by
The Review to comment on South Carolina's interesting experience
in the operation of two organized camps last season, recommended it as
an example which other state and public agencies possibly may follow
"with profit."
"The South Carolina venture in group camp management
and operation was and is an experiment that appears to me to be of great
value," said Mr. Evison. "It is an example which possibly may be
imitated with profit by state or other public agencies elsewhere. Three
years of experience with the problems of finding suitable operating
agencies for group camps has indicated that our normal arrangements
frequently do not open the way for camping experience to those who
really need it most, and that in other cases even if the way is opened
it is utilized with reluctance or not at all because tinged with
charity. With such an agency as the state undertaking the operation, it
can make its own rules of selection on the basis of the individual's
actual need, regardless of membership in an organization or of any other
factors which have tended to limit the user field.
"It is true that, as the record frankly shows, this
year's operations, both at Cheraw and Kings Mountain, resulted in
deficits, and some of the reasons why are plainly shown. It hardly can
be expected that any camp will be used to approximate capacity unless
there is an ample period in which to work out a program and to building
up patronage. Furthermore, the weekly camper fee had to be set more or
less arbitrarily since supporting experience was largely lacking. I feel
convinced that, with plenty of time for advance planning, and with a
weekly camper fee slightly elevated so that the State is not compelled
to take all the risks of the operation, the venture can be made to stand
on its own feet. Those of us who have watched the steady and sound
advance which South Carolina has made in the field of state park
development and administration certainly hope so."
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