Housing, 1935-1937

This series is comprised of alphabetically arranged correspondence and subject files. Many of the topics are covered by only one or two folders, but there are several subjects for which there are numerous folders. Naturally, topics specific to Florida are well represented in the collection. One major topic is the citrus industry, including loans to citrus growers, the valuation of land for loans, and some transcripts of government hearings on citrus matters. As a representative of Florida and a citrus grower himself, Peterson was well aware of the issues and problems of the citrus industry. Another major subject is the Cross Florida Canal during the 1930s and early 1940s. In addition to chronological correspondence regarding the canal, there are government reports, miscellaneous publications, and news clippings. Notable topics include the proposed route of the canal, the effect of the canal on the Florida water supply, and details on the proposed construction methods.

The collection spans World War II, and as such there are numerous files that pertain directly or indirectly to the war. Several files pertain to national defense and neutrality immediately preceding WWII. Numerous constituents wrote to Peterson about why the U.S. should stay neutral or should aid the Allies, and about how our government could best provide for national defense. Peterson himself favored staying out of the war, but also favored aiding England. The files labeled "Priority" primarily consist of wartime documents that required Peterson's immediate attention. There also are numerous files on the Higgins investigation, including correspondence and government hearings. Peterson served as chairman of a World War II subcommittee to investigate Higgins, Inc., a company that received a contract to produce Liberty ships for the Navy but had the contract terminated because it was accused of misspending government funds.

The New Deal agencies created to combat the Great Depression are well covered in this collection. There are several files on the Civil Works Administration (CWA), which was set up in 1933 as a New Deal organization designed to create jobs. The folders listed under this topic deal with C.W.A. projects in Florida, especially school construction and improvement. There are also several folders on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a similar organization set up around the same time, and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), which was created in 1933 to provide jobs and relief to those suffering from the Depression.

There are numerous files pertaining to the Public Works Administration (PWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), including constituent correspondence expressing desires for new projects or inquiring about the progress of current projects. The files are arranged alphabetically according to Florida city or region.

There is a group of "politics" files, which consists of correspondence with colleagues and supporters about campaign issues, and also includes campaign expense information. Other major subjects include the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (including the Home Owner's Loan Corporation and the Federal Housing Authority), creation of the Everglades National Park in 1934, immigration and naturalization, loans (constituents attempting to secure loans through various federal agencies), the phosphate industry, rivers and harbors, and the Townsend Plan.