The last letter I have is one from the B. M. P. I. U. of A., Bricklayers International Local Union No. 5, signed by Roy Dean, president, and H. P. Hermann, secretary. Mr. CHAIRMAN. I submit these letters described for the record. Mr. PETERSON of Georgia. Without objection, they will be included in the record. (The letters are as follows:) WEST VIRGINIA STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR, Charleston 1, W. Va., April 29, 1946. To the Congressional Committee on the Big Sandy River and Tributaries, Congressional Office Building, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: On behalf of the officers and members of the West Virginia State Federation of Labor, we wish to present to your attention that in the convention of the State federation, November 1945, a resolution was duly presented and unanimously acted upon which put us on record as being in favor of the canalization project at Big Sandy River. At that particular time, the writer thought that this was a very forward move to make these plans in order to have what we would term as postwar work. However, after reading a report presented to the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army relative to this above-mentioned project, we feel that it is not only economically sound but another step in flood control, which eventually must be put in operation along on watersheds that finally flow into the Mississippi Basin. Beyond the question of a doubt, you can well recognize the fact that as our population increases, the hazard of flood must be eliminated from the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi Valleys, in order to get full production from that fertile bottom land. Furthermore, with the development of this project, it is just to keep abreast of the times in order to supply economic transportation in volume for coal down the Ohio River into and in the upper reaches of the Mississippi River. By a system of canals and locks the flow of the water is controlled and the navigation stage of the required amount can be maintained during the seasons of the year when rainfall would not be sufficient to allow such flowage of water. Of course, we are interested in this, inasmuch as it will furnish employment to our tradesmen during the construction, which might happend at a time when other work was slack. After the project is complete, we feel that it will furnish employment to the coal miners during the summer months and what might be termed a slack period for them. At this particular time, they can mine coal for transportation down the Ohio River and into the upper reaches of the Mississippi River to supply the winter fuel for that section of the United States. Therefore, in following out the wishes of our recent convention, we present these few facts and trust that you will kindly consider them. Respectfully yours, VOLNEY ANDREWS, Secretary-Treasurer, West Virginia State Federation of Labor. UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF AMERICA, RIVERS AND HARBORS COMMITTEE, Washington, D. C. LOCAL UNION NO. 302, Huntington, W. Va., April 30, 1946. GENTLEMEN: This local union of Carpenters and Joiners of America desire that you give every possible consideration to the canalization of Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Fork Rivers and act in favor of the project, because of the wide scope and far-reaching effect it will have toward increasing all types of business wherein this high-grade soft coal is used especially throughout the Middle West from the Upper Mississippi and Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico. No doubt many plants will enlarge and thereby increase their consumption of coal or coke, others will be put in operation manufacturing byproducts, which possibility is enormous; all of which involves the employment of more labor and as a result more money in circulation and a more prosperous condition throughout the area. All of this is contingent on lower freight transportation, which will follow as a result of canalization. There is now existing a differential in freight rates between the Big Sandy and other parts of the State of West Virginia, which is a very strong factor in making the population of the Big Sandy Valley rank among the highest percentage on the relief program, through the entire Nation. We know of no improvement in the United States that is so urgently needed, nor one which will eventually affect the lives and prosperity of so large a number of our people, and we earnestly urge that you authorize this much needed program, regardless of what pressure is brought to bear to the contrary. This will be a most humanitarian act on your part, and many families of the poor will rise up and call you blessed, the result of which you will forever be justly proud. The poor along these rivers are begging that you act for them now, in this your great opportunity to help them and their families to get a little more work. It will help relieve the cry of their babies for milk and bread, if the miners have steadier work. In these mountains there is not land for farming and the people must depend on the mining of coal. Therefore, we urge you pass favorably to the best interests of the people by voting in favor of the canalization of the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Forks, as recommended by the United States Army engineers. Sincerely and respectfully yours, CARPENTERS LOCAL UNION, No. 302, UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF AMERICA, To the Congressional Committee, Canalization of Big Sandy Valley. LOCAL UNION No. 472, Ashland, Ky., April 29, 1946. GENTLEMEN: Local Union No. 472, U. B. of C. & J. of A., representing more than 200 member craftsmen hereby instruct me as Secretary to inform you that this body by voice vote has unanimously ęndorsed the canalization of the Big Sandy River, Tug and Levisa Forks. We wish to urge that your committee give careful consideration to the greater facilities opened up in this region by reason of canalization, especially in regard to coal and timber. In addition to the greater employment and the resultant prosperity for the individual communities, it would give a cheaper shipping rate to all marketing points, than those now existing. Thus benefiting the purchasing public. Respectfully submitted. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: This Local Union B-317, IBEW of Huntington, W. Va., is 100 percent in support and in favor of the Big Sandy Valley project. Because of its far-reaching effect in the promotion of business in creating employment, we deem it advisable and desire to urge the committee to act favorably, in support of it as has been recommended by the United States Army engineers. We, as the local union have jurisdiction over the employees of IBEW in all the counties bordering this proposed project both in Kentucky and West Virginia. Respectfully yours, C. E. GRUBER, Business Manager: 87050-46- -11 Mr. HARRY F. ENSLEY, INTERNATIONAL HOD CARRIERS', BUILDING AND Huntington, W. Va. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: The International Hod Carriers', Building and Common Laborers' Local No. 543 sincerely approve and give our support to the proposed canalization of the Big Sandy River, bordering West Virginia and Kentucky. We feel that this project is greatly needed and wanted by the citizens of the areas affected. We have been told that there are certain powerful interests lobbying against this bill. We believe that these persons are doing so without taknig into consideration the wish of the working class of people. We urge that these persons be investigated immediately by the proper authorities and let it be known that their reason for lobbying against this bill is purely selfish. We hope that you make the desires of this local union known to those interested in this project. Fraternally yours, LABORERS' LOCAL NO. 543, Mr. HARRY F. ENSLEY, 2025 Fourth Avenue, City, MILLMEN'S LOCAL 473, DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: The Millmen's Local No. 473 heartily approves and gives our support to the proposed canalization of the Big Sandy River, bordering the States of West Virginia and Kentucky. We feel that this project is greatly needed and wanted by the citizens of the affected areas. We believe that there are certain powerful interests lobbying against this bill. These interests, we believe, are selfish and urgently urge that they be investigated by the proper authorities. We hope that you make the wishes of this local union known to those interested in this project. Fraternally yours, MILLMEN'S LOCAL No. 473, JASPER MCCOMAS, Business Representative. OPERATIVE-PLASTERERS AND CEMENT-FINISHERS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION, LOCAL 249, Huntington, W. Va., May 5, 1946. To the Congressional Committee on the Big Sandy River and Tributaries, GENTLEMEN: Local No. 249 of the Operative-Plasterers and Cement-Finishers International Association, of Huntington, W. Va., wishes to inform this committee that we are in favor of the canalization of the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Fork Rivers. We, herewith, urge this committee to approve this project as we are interested in a reduced freight rate and producing more employment in this locality. Yours very truly, CLYDE L. CRABTREE, RESOLUTION OF THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL OF HUNTINGTON, W. VA., AND VICINITY Whereas the United States Army engineers of the Huntington district have, after 5 years surveying and studying on the canalization of the Big Sandy River and its tributaries, Tug River and Levisa Fork, submitted estimates of cost and recommend that locks and dams and canalization should be put in the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Fork; and Whereas the proposed canalization will add 200 miles of waterway transportation to the thousands of miles already existing, from the upper Mississippi and Missouri, Great Lakes, and upper Ohio, and their various tributaries through to the Gulf of Mexico; and Whereas, the estimated cost of $65,000,000 is provided in the Federal appropriations of over $4,000,000,000, set aside for rivers and harbors and such like, and will not entail additional cost to West Virginia taxpayers, than if it were spent in some other State and provides a magnificent postwar program for southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky; and Whereas, this proposed canalization will force reduced freight rates into and out of the heart of the greatest soft-coal fields in the world, comprising 12 counties in southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky and two counties in Virginia, and will foster an unprecedented era of prosperity in that portion of West Virginia where most needed and will reach far beyond the borders of the State: Therefore be it Resolved, That the Huntington Building and Construction Trades Council endorse the proposed canalization of Big Sandy, Tug River, and Levisa Fork and send copies of this resolution to the Rivers and Harbors Committee meeting to be held in Washington November 13 and 14; be it further Resolved, That the Huntington Building and Construction Trades Council send word through its secretary to the Senators and Congressmen of West Virginia urging upon them their support in behalf of this program. R. A. PETIT, President. HARRY F. ENSLEY, RESOLUTION OF THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR, Whereas the United States Army engineers of the Huntington district have, after 5 years surveying and studying on the canalization of the Big Sandy River and its tributaries, Tug River and Levisa Fork, submitted estimates of cost and recommend that locks and dams and canalization should be put in the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Fork; and Whereas the proposed canalization will add 200 miles of waterway transportation to the thousands of miles already existing, from the upper Mississippi and Missouri, Great Lakes and upper Ohio, and their various tributaries through to the Gulf of Mexico; and Whereas the estimated cost of $65,000,000 is provided in the Federal appropriations of over $4,000,000,000, set aside for rivers and harbors and such like, and will not entail additional cost to West Virginia taxpayers, than if it were spent in some other State and provides a magnificent postwar program for southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky; and Whereas this proposed canalization will force reduced freight rates into and out of the heart of the greatest soft-coal fields in the world, comprising 12 counties in southern West Virigina and eastern Kentucky and two counties in Virginia, and will foster an unprecidented era of prosperity in that portion of West Virginia where most needed and will reach far beyond the boarders of the State: Therefore be it Resolved, That the West Virginia State Federation of Labor, American Federation of Labor, endorse the proposed canalization of Big Sandy, Tug River, and Levisa Fork; and send copies of this resolution to the Rivers and Harbors Committee meeting to be held in Washington, November 13, and 14: be it further Resolved, That the West Virginia State Federation of Labor, American Federation of Labor, contact the Senators and Congressmen of West Virginia and urge their support in behalf of this program. VOLNEY ANDREWS, Secretary-Treasurer. UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF AMERICA, April 26, 1946. To the Congressional Committee on the Construction of the Canalization of the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Rivers. GENTLEMEN: It is our earnest desire that you pass favorably on the canalization of the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Rivers as recommended by the United States engineers, because of the far-reaching possibilities of more and more employment of labor in the vicinity of these rivers. This action was authorized at our regular meeting held April 26, 1946. RAYMOND KURTZ, President. UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF AMERICA, UNION NO. 1111, Ironton, Ohio, May 1, 1946. To the Congressional Committee on the Canalization of the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Rivers. GENTLEMEN: At our last regular meeting our local union unanimously approved the canalization of the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Rivers, as recommended by the United States engineers. It is our belief that this project will not only increase employment in this territory but will benefit the country as a whole. Yours truly, RAYMOND KURTZ, President. UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF AMERICA, LOCAL UNION NO. 437, To the Congressional Committee on the Canalization of the Big Sandy, Tug, and Levisa Fork River. GENTLEMEN: This canal has three folds. It will help take care of the surplus water, bring out coal and ore. It will pay for itself in a number of years creating taxes. We, the carpenters of Portsmouth and vicinity, sincerely urge that you pass favorable on canalization of the Big Sandy, Tug, Levisa Fork Rivers as recommended by the United States Army engineers. This action was taken and authorized at our regular meeting May 2, 1946. Yours respectfully, CHAS. A. WALTERS. B. M. P. I. U. OF AMERICA, BRICKLAYERS' INTERNATIONAL LOCAL UNION No. 5, To Whom It May Concern: Bricklayers' Union No. 5, of West Virginia, at a meeting adopted a resolution endorsing canalization of the Big Sandy River. We are of the opinion that this project will be of great benefit throughout this entire territory. ROY DEAN, President. Mr. EMSLEY. In addition to that, Mr. Chairman, I want to submit here resolutions from CIO membership of the West Virginia Steel Co., approximately 500 or 600 members. These resolutions are in favor of the project. Here is one from Paul Normile and Hilda Keeney, covering principal cities and their operations in those cities bordering in the triState region. They endorsed that in the annual conference they were holding in a hotel just the other day. |