(The statement referred to is as follows:)

THE PROPOSED HARTWELL DAM

To the Members of the Public Works Committee of the United States House of Representatives:

Gentlemen, in setting forth reasons for the early construction of Hartwell Dam on the Savannah River, the writer is very much concerned about the need for the recreational benefits so vitally needed for the health and happiness of a potential population of more than 3,000,000.

We have been a citizen of this area all our life, and over the years have seen the need for low-cost recreational facilities for the working class of people which dominate our area of the country, since we are in the center of the textile world. The Hartwell Dam, like others the Corps of Engineers plan for the Savannah River, will usher in a new and dynamic era for one of the most beautiful valleys in all the world.

The site chosen for this great structure is a dream site for a dam. High hills on both sides of the river will flank the concrete-gravity type dam which will rise about 182 feet above the bed of the river.

The "pursuit of happiness" cannot be neglected in the over-all summation of our project. While the project will be attractive to the people of South Carolina and Georgia (5,000,000 population) we are considering its recreational attractions within a hundred miles radius of the project.

In this area, to which industries are rapidly coming because climatic conditions and labor conditions are most favorable, there is an immediate need for low cost recreational facilities.

We have dwelt on only one phase of the great benefits which would accrue as a result of Hartwell Dam.

The movement to make assets instead of liabilities out of the natural resources of our country, is the reason for Hartwell Dam.

Respectfully,

MAY 16, 19449.

LEE E. CARTER,
Executive Secretary,

Hart County Chamber of Commerce, Hartwell, Ga.

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Chairman, from Anderson, S. C., we have Hon. Z. W. Meeks, executive secretary, Anderson Chamber of Commerce. Chairman WHITTINGTON. Proceed, Mr. Meeks.

STATEMENT OF Z. W. MEEKS, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, ANDERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, your attention has already been called to the great need for the building of the Hartwell Dam from the standpoint of flood control, soil conservation, navigation and power, as well as its possibilities in improving the general economic level of the people of South Carolina and Georgia and the Nation as a whole.

Briefly, I should like to call to your attention the very great importance of this project as a complement to the Clark Hill project, already under construction, as a national security factor in the defense of this country in the event we have to engage in another war.

The President of the United States through the National Security Resources Board has given much thought and concern to the matter of decentralization and dispersion of industry. The National Security Act in 1947 places upon the National Security Resources Board the responsibility for studying "the strategic relocation of industries, services, government, and economic activities, the continuous operation of which is essential to the Nation's security."

In the event of another war, there is going to be an increasing need for electrical power, inland water transportation, and all the other facilities and services which the Hartwell Dam would provide. There is likewise going to be an increasing importance attached to the decentralization and dispersion of industries and other services like this plant.

After preliminary studies of national security and defense factors, the National Security Resources Board in a recent study made the following recommendation:

The whole problem of industrial dispersion boils down to a common-sense application of the old adage about not putting all of one's eggs in one basket. Whatever future technological advances may take place in the art of waging war, there will always remain the fundamental principle that the advantage sought in any strategic objective must be weighed against the cost of attaining it, in terms of energy and materials. It is also true that as the destructive effects of modern weapons increase, so does their cost. Such weapons-whether they be atomic, chemical, bacteriological, or any other diabolical engine of destruction that may be further developed in the foreseeable future-cannot be expended prodigally unless the risk is calculated to bring results.

If the industrial facilities of the United States were effectively dispersed, that fact alone would make an incalculable contribution toward the maintenance of peace because of the prohibitive expense of any enemy attempt to destroy this country's ability to defend itself. Dispersion could contribute significantly toward outlawing war.

It seems to us that this recommendation constitutes the strongest possible endorsement for early action on the Hartwell Dam project. We sincerely and respectively urge the favorable consideration of this committee at an early date in the matter of completing this project.

The CHAIRMAN. What is the population of Anderson, S. C.?
Mr. MEEKS. About 25,000.

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, sir. You may file any additional material you wish to emphasize your statement.

(The following letter was subsequently submitted:)

CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE,

THE CITY OF ANDERSON, S. C.,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

May 19, 1949.

United States House of Representatives,

Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: It had been my intention to appear along with the delegation of South Carolinians and Georgians in behalf of the Hartwell Dam project at the hearing of your committee in Washington earlier this week. Unfortunately, I had made previous engagements elsewhere that prevented my appearance.

However, speaking on behalf of my city, I wish to state that the project has the wholehearted backing and support of the people of the city of Anderson and this

area.

We all feel that construction of this dam will be a vital factor in our growth, economic development, and security, and that its authorization would be necessary to complete the great Savannah River Basin project which includes the Clark Hill development.

Aside from the fact of the economic and recreational benefits, we who are located too near to the site of the proposed project stand to gain, we base our complete endorsement upon the following grounds:

1. Production of electric power.

2. Flood control.

3. National defense.

Perhaps the one most vital to us here so close to the Savannah River is that of flood control-if one factor could be considered more important than the others. But this one, especially, is close to us who have seen the rich, dark soil of our

county and surrounding areas year by year wash down the river; and to us here who have seen the muddy floodwaters inundate our farmers' crops, completely wiping out a year's work in the matter of a few short hours.

I understand that petitions on all these points have been presented to you, and feel sure that you recognize and consider the importance of these factors involved in the construction of the dam.

To this I can add my personal endorsement and that of the people of the city of Anderson.

Respectfully submitted.
Sincerely yours,

WILLIAM C. JOHNSTON, Mayor.

Mr. BROWN. Next is the Honorable Frank Brownlee, president, Anderson Chamber of Commerce; member of South Carolina Resources, Planning, and Development Board of the State.

STATEMENT OF R. FRANK BROWNLEE, PRESIDENT, ANDERSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Mr. BROWNLEE. Mr. Chairman, as president of the Anderson Chamber of Commerce representing more than 600 members engaged in all types of business activity at Anderson, S. C., I am authorized to go on record as being heartily in favor of the early construction of the Hartwell Dam. In formal action, the board of directors has approved not only endorsement of this project but have instructed me and members of the executive committee of our organization to do everything possible to bring about its early construction.

The great majority of all the people in this whole section of South Carolina and Georgia not only favor the plan to build this dam at an early date but are looking forward hopefully to the time when actual work will start.

Construction of this dam is the next natural step in the development of the Savannah River Valley following the construction of the Clark Hill Dam which is now under way. To receive the full benefits from the Clark Hill project it is necessary, we are advised, to complete also the Hartwell Dam.

While we taken a great deal of pride in the agricultural, commercial, and industrial development which has taken place in this area within the past 15 or 20 years, we will never be able to fully realize our potentialities without completely utilizing the great natural resources which abound in this section. Private interests and capital cannot and will not develop these natural resources. It therefore, falls the responsibility of the Federal Government to aid to the extent of helping us to help ourselves.

The figures below show in a much better way than I could ever describe, the need for the further development of this section from an agricultural, commercial and industrial standpoint: per capita income in South Carolina in 1939 was $261 and in 1946 was $729; in Georgia in 1939 it was $290 and in 1946 it was $809; while the national average per capita income in 1939 was $539 and in 1946 was $1,200.

These figures, showing the per capita income for South Carolina and Georgia for the years 1939 and 1946, the latest year for which they are available, placed alongside the national average per capita income show graphically the need for lifting the per capita income through development of our available natural resources. These 7year figures, on the other hand, show definitely the remarkable growth

that has taken place and the fact that this section is doing something to help itself.

This section is moving away from the one-crop agricultural economy to a diversified program of many crops, livestock and processing of farm products to add to their value before they are sold to the ultimate consumer. This section, also, has had a tremendous industrial growth within the past 10 years. This is not a mushroomed wareconomy type of development but a steady growth which is driving toward the goal of utilizing the products of our fields, forests, and mines and training the hands and minds of the people of our section. Construction of the Hartwell Dam will provide needed power for the development of new industries; it will provide recreation for more than half a million people of this area and yet hundreds of thousands who would come here in the event the dam is built; it will provide cheaper transportation from Savannah to August and this whole section by making it possible to develop navigation on the Savannah River, and, above all, will provide for flood control which will save valuable lands and property and will serve as an incentive to further the already well-advanced soil-conservation program which is being. pushed in this area.

Figures made available by engineers on this project reveal that it will be self-liquidating over a period of years. It will enable this section to lift its level of income more nearly to the national average. It is one of our great natural resources through development of which this whole section, the South and the Nation as a whole will benefit.

We must sincerely urge that you gentlemen consider this proposal carefully and seriously. Give us, through this type of assistance, the ability to improve our whole economic status so that we may be able to change from the often-characterized "Economic Problem No. 1" section to an area which can and will be known as "Economic Opportunity No. 1."

We sincerely and respectfully urge your favorable consideration of this proposed project.

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Chairman, I have here a short statement by Hon. Carey Skelton, solcitor general, northern judicial circuit of Georgia. I would like to read it.

The CHAIRMAN. Proceed, sir.

Mr. BROWN (reading):

In the interest of brevity I desire merely to endorse what has been said by the Army engineer and the other witnesses regarding the need for the Hartwell Reservoir.

I have lived in this particular section of Georgia all of my life. I believe that I am familiar with the views and needs of the people who live in the Savannah River area, and I am of the opinion that they feel keenly the need for the construction of this reservoir and believe that this development as planned by the Corps of Engineers is essential to their economic development and social progress. Furthermore, we believe that this development would contribute materially to the national welfare and national defense.

The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Skelton, how far is Hartwell from the proposed dam site?

Mr. SKELTON. About 6 miles, I think, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Above or below your town?
Mr. SKELTON. Well, it is almost due east.
The CHAIRMAN. Would your town be flooded?
Mr. SKELTON. No, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. What is your population?

Mr. SKELTON. About 3,000.

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, sir. We are glad to have you. Mr. BROWN. Our next witness is the Honorable Clark Gaines, secretary, Georgia Department of Commerce.

The CHAIRMAN. Before you begin, sir, is there any local opposition, or do the people generally favor it?

Mr. GAINES. There is no opposition, and it has the Governor's un qualified support and approval.

The CHAIRMAN. There is no local contribution?

Mr. GAINES. No, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Very well, sir.

STATEMENT OF HON. CLARK GAINES, SECRETARY, GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Mr. GAINES. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Clark Gaines. I am secretary of the Georgia Department of Commerce. I want to tell you briefly about some of the general benefits we feel will come to Georgia and South Carolina through the construction of the proposed Hartwell Dam on the Savannah River.

The strip of territory lying along the Savannah River, in both Georgia and South Carolina, constitutes not only a highly productive agricultural area but one that is rapidly developing industrially. The natural and human resources are there to make it potentially a much greater economic area. The raw materials are varied and in abundance, and a great consumer market awaits their being processed into manufactured products to enrich the sector and make a considerable economic contribution to a much larger region.

Electric power-relatively cheap, abundant and dependable-and river development in general are eagerly awaited by the section, the realization of whose great potentialities depends upon these improvements. This is the key to the larger prosperity that is the birthright of this area. With the provision of electric power in abundance and reasonably priced, new industries will spring up by the scores; the forests and farms will hum with the activity of providing raw materials for these plants; the wholesaler, merchant, and laborer will find business and employment that do not now exist. Rural electrification will play a dramatic part in equipping and modernizing the farms.

The industrial growth of 29 counties in the Savannah River region on the Georgia side during the last 8 years provides a graphic indication of the manufacturing progress made under the present available electric power and river development. In 1940 there were 587 plants in these counties, and last year the number had grown to 848, an increase of 261 or 45.8 percent. The value of their manufactures in 1948 was in excess of $4,000,000,000. I am attaching to this brief figures for the various counties in this regard. This compares well with the State total for 1948, when the sales of Georgia's manufactured products were placed at $2,809,700,000.

However, with the extensive natural and other resources in the Savannah River area, the production figures for farm, forest, and factory could be vastly enlarged. The people in the territory have the intelligence and ingenuity, the energy and spirit to do it if given the public-utility facilities, mainly electric power.