Without taking any more of the time of the committee, I should like to submit this statement, and I do hope the committee will see fit to honor these requests.

Mr. CANNON. The statement will be made a part of the record. (The statement follows:)

STATEMENT OF HARLEY O. STAGGERS

APRIL 6, 1960.

I sincerely trust your committee will see fit to approve appropriations for flood control and water development programs which affect West Virginia. As Representative of the Second District, I am particularly interested in projects on Cheat River and Monongahela River. Your attention is respectfully directed to the following:

Opekiska lock and dam, Monongahela River.-Approval for this project was given by the Congress in 1957. $125,000 to cover the initial cost of planning this important river structure was approved by the Senate-House conference committee in August 1958.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has done preconstruction planning for the Opekiska project located on the Monongahela River. The Engineers plan to complete this preconstruction work during the first 6 months of this year.

The Opekiska lock and dam would replace old, obsolete locks and dams 14 and 15 of the Monongahela River canalization improvement which was authorized by River and Harbor Act approved May 17, 1950, in accordance with Senate Document 100, 81st Congress, 1st session. The new lock and dam will complete the modernization of the upper river canalization facilities.

As of July 1959, the estimated cost of the Opekiska project was $24,100,000. Since funds were not included in the recommendations contained in the Federal budget for fiscal year 1961, I trust you and the members of your committee will see fit in your wisdom to include the amount of $2 million as initial construction funds for this important waterway resource development project on the Monongahela River.

Fulfillment of the construction of Opekiska lock and dam will provide an important link to the vast coal fields and steel mills of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. In the time of war or national emergency, this will directly and indirectly render service to the whole United States.

Cheat River and tributaries (Rowlesburg Dam).-A review of report on Cheat River and tributaries, Monongahela River Basin, has been authorized by the Army Corps of Engineers, with particular reference to the advisability of providing a multiple-purpose reservoir on Cheat River above Rowlesburg in Preston County, W. Va.

Hearings will be held this year by the Army Engineers at Kingwood, W. Va. The dam at Rowlesburg is not only important to Preston County and the surrounding areas, but it will prove of utmost value in providing waterpower in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area and other industrial sections.

The estimated cost of the survey is $210,000, of which $40,000 was allo cated last year. I trust the balance of $170,000 may be appropriated in the present budget.

Deckers Creek, Monongalia County, flood control project.-The survey has been authorized and the Army Corps of Engineers is planning to hold hear ings on this project in Morgantown, W. Va., during May of this year.

Last year $15,000 was allocated for the comprehensive basin survey. I be lieve the remainder of $25,000 should be included for completion of this important study.

Maxwell locks and dam, Monongahela River.-This project, which would replace locks Nos. 5 and 6 at Brownsville, Pa., is one of the busiest locks in the world. Because of the uncontrolled water from the Cheat River it often during the year is out of operation for days at a time because of overflow or lack of

water.

An appropriation for initial construction of this project, together with the Rowlesburg Dam on the Cheat River, will alleviate the desperate need for controlled water at this point.

Approval of appropriations for these projects will serve a twofold purpose. The flood-control programs are badly needed in the affected areas. Further more, unemployment in the Second District is higher now than it has been since the depression years. Allocation of funds for the projects will help pro

vide employment for many thousands of persons available to supply manpower. This will at least assist in getting West Virginia off the "critical list" for distressed areas. Money spent now will mean millions of dollars in revenue to the Government in the overall picture. The projects will provide flood control protection, help alleviate unemployment, make the area more attractive to industry in West Virginia which has a wealth of natural resources, and would attract tourist who could enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1960.

CLEVELAND HARBOR

WITNESSES

HON. FRANCES P. BOLTON, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO

HON. WILLIAM E. MINSHALL, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO

HON. CHARLES A. VANIK, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO

HON. MICHAEL A. FEIGHAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO

WILLIAM J. ROGERS, DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF PORT CONTROL, CLEVELAND, OHIO

OLIVER A. REYNOLDS, VICE PRESIDENT, CLEVELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CLEVELAND, OHIO

JOHN D. REDDY, MANAGER, ERIE DOCK CO., CLEVELAND, OHIO

Mr. CANNON. Mrs. Bolton, we are very glad to have you with us. Will you take charge of this hearing on the Cleveland Harbor and introduce those you wish to have associated with you?

Mrs. BOLTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a very great pleasure to appear before this committee again. It has been a long time since I have come before you.

Mr. Minshall was here but he had to go to another meeting, and I will have to slip away also in a few minutes, but Mr. Rogers, the director of the department of port control, is here, and also Mr. Reynolds, the vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Cleveland, and we have others here.

As I say, I am very happy to appear here in support of the request for an appropriation of $200,000 for design and engineering funds for the replacement of three bridges that are a hindrance to navigation at the port of Cleveland.

The first of the bridges, Erie Railroad Bridge No. 19, is located on the main stem of the Cuyahoga River. Its replacement is essential if the larger ore boats are to move to the docks of the Republic Steel Corp. and Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. The other two bridges, Baltimore & Ohio Bridge No. 32 and Willow Avenue Highway Bridge No. 33, are located on the Old River Branch of the Cuyahoga River. These bridges prevent the larger boats from moving to the Erie ore dock. The replacement of these bridges was authorized in the Omnibus Rivers and Harbor Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-500). In their report on this bill, the House Committee on Public Works noted that

the Cleveland Harbor project had an unusually high benefit-cost ratio (p. 41 of H. Rept. 1894, 85th Cong., 2d sess.).

As you know, Mr. Chairman, the Cleveland Harbor program has been underway since 1937 to improve navigation and permit larger vessels to use the Cuyahoga River. Some $50 million has been spent on the project-half by the Federal Government and the other half by non-Federal interests. Tremendous progress has been made but the port will not be able to function entirely efficiently until these three bridges have been replaced. When that is done Cleveland will be able to take full advantage of the inner harbor development program that has been going on for more than 20 years. The railroads, city of Cleveland, and the industries have all been doing their part on this project.

Cleveland is not asking for construction money at this time, but only funds for design and engineering. It is my hope that you will favorably approve the appropriation of $200,000 for this purpose as recommended in the President's budget for fiscal year 1961.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I am happy to be here with Mr. Vanik, who is my colleague on the other side of the aisle, and I am glad Mr. Minshall has left his remarks here.

Mr. CANNON. Mr. Minshall's remarks will be made a part of the record.

STATEMENT OF HON. WILLIAM E. MINSHALL

Mr. Chairman, the St. Lawrence Seaway has been open nearly a year. It plays an important part in the economy of the Cleveland area, in which I have the honor of serving the 23d District. As seaway traffic grows, it becomes in creasingly important that the Cuyahoga River improvement program be com pleted so that the port of Cleveland can provide facilities for longer, seagoing vessels.

Let me emphasize that this does not represent a "new start." The program has been in the works since 1937, 22 years ago. It is an authorized project on which some $50 million in matching funds have been spent to date.

I appear before you today to respectfully request that the subcommittee approve the already authorized $200,000 for design and engineering funds for replacement of three bridges. The bridges involved are:

Erie Railroad Bridge No. 19. Completion of this project would permit passage of ships in the 650-foot class.

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Bridge No. 32 and Willow High Bridge No. 33. Both structures prevent large ships from serving oversea docks on the old river branch, and also prevent such vessels from reaching the Erie Railroad public dock facilities which serve steel plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Cleveland is not now requesting construction money, merely $200,000 for de sign and engineering funds, so that progress can be made toward deriving our fair share of the benefits of the seaway.

Mr. CANNON. Congressman Vanik, we shall be pleased to hear from

you.

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES A. VANIK, OHIO

Mr. VANIK. Mr. Chairman, I might also say that the name "Cuvahoga" comes from the Indian word meaning "crooked river." We have spent a great deal over a long time straightening it out and getting bridges over it.

Mr CANNON. Off the record. (Discussion off the record.)

Mr. CANNON. Proceed, Congressman Vanik.

Mr. VANIK. Mr. Chairman, I want to join in this plea for the $200,000 appropriation request for planning the replacement of two bridges in the Cuyahoga River-Cleveland Harbor complex.

I do not want to repeat some of the things that have been testified to already, but one of these bridges is a replacement of B. & O. Railroad bridge No. 32, while the other is a replacement of Willow Bridge No. 33, over the lower riverbed basin. The B. & O. Railroad Bridge is in terrible condition, while the Willow Bridge was condemned and closed to motor vehicular traffic several years ago.

These bridge replacements will insure the accessibility of the riverbed area to lake shipping and open a large 100-acre tract of choice land on Whiskey Island in the Cleveland Harbor area for shipping facilities and commerce. This improvement will make it possible to build six berths for large vessels, shipping both bulk and general cargo. My entire community will benefit by this important improvement, and I certainly hope that the committee will look with favor upon our request.

I would like at this time, if I may, to ask you to hear from our port director of the city of Cleveland, Mr. William J. Rogers, who represents the city of Cleveland.

Mr. CANNON. Mr. Rogers, you may proceed.

STATEMENT OF MR. WILLIAM J. ROGERS

Mr. ROGERS. I will be brief. I have papers here showing the importance of these improvements not only from a navigation standpoint but because it will make it possible to build the berths Mr. Vanik referred to and will also help the steel and coal and railroad interests in Cleveland.

My name is William J. Rogers. I am director of the department of port control, in charge of waterfront development in the city of Cleveland.

In behalf of the mayor of the city of Cleveland, who is sick and who asked me to attend this hearing, he said to me this is one of the most opportune times Cleveland has had to take care of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The building of the Baltimore & Ohio and Willow Street Bridges over the Cuyahoga River will make it possible to rehabilitate the lower riverbed basin, an area that years ago was an important industrial part of Cleveland.

On behalf of the citizens of Cleveland, I wish to express my thanks to you, and I would like to submit this paper I have here showing the salient points which I hope will appeal to the members of the committee.

Mr. CANNON. The statement you have submitted will be made a part of the record.

(The statement follows:)

STATEMENT OF WILLIAM J. ROGERS, DIRECTOR OF PORT CONTROL,

CITY OF CLEVELAND

My name is William J. Rogers. I am director of the department of port entrol, in charge of waterfront development in the city of Cleveland.

In behalf of the mayor of the city of Cleveland, I am requesting your submmittee that favorable consideration be given to an appropriation of $200,000 for design and engineering funds for bridges to be replaced in accordance with the Government's approved Cuyahoga River improvement plan.

At the present time, the city of Cleveland is asking only that your committee recommend $200,000 for planning and designing the Willow Highway Bridge No. 33 and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Bridge No. 32. Also Erie Railroad Bridge No. 19.

We speak today not only as the director of ports in Cleveland, but also as a designing engineer.

No project ever proposed or built on the waterfront area of Cleveland has meant more to navigation and developing the waterfront than the building of the Baltimore & Ohio and Willow Street Bridges over the Cuyahoga River. The lower riverbed basin, which for years was owned and operated by the American Shipbuilding Co., and other industries, can be entirely rehabilitated. Properties which are entirely useless today can be developed into priceless waterfront land for shipping operations.

The bottleneck which made it almost impossible to bring ships, either lake or oceangoing vessels, will be removed and as a result easy accessibility to the entire area will be possible.

In this lower riverbed, dredging to the depth of 27 feet will be the result, thereby making it possible to build those additional berths that can be utilized for both local and foreign bulk and general cargo shipments.

As a result of the building of these bridges, especially the Willow Street Bridge, the Whisky Island area, embracing approximately 100 acres which is owned by both the Pennsylvania and the New York Central Railroads, can be developed for shipping for commerce and for industry.

By the way, this tract of land is the largest available within the confines of the city of Cleveland for added industry.

The Willow Street Bridge has been condemned for several years and as a result, Whisky Island is inaccessible for truck cargo at the present time.

When the new Willow Street Bridge has been completed, either the railroads or the city of Cleveland will be in a position to build six new shipping berths. Each of these will be used for both bulk and general cargo and would be welcomed by both the lake carriers and the foreign shippers using the port of Cleveland.

To the south of the shipping facilities, new warehouses and industrial plants can be erected.

With all these new accommodations, this island area, adjacent to the waterfront and close to downtown Cleveland, will create the most valuable property on Lake Erie.

In conclusion, may I express to the members of this honorable committee in behalf of the city of Cleveland and myself, sincere appreciation for the opportunity to present this petition to your body.

Mr. VANIK. Mr. Chairman, I would like you to hear at this time from Mr. Oliver A. Reynolds, vice president of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. CANNON. Mr. Reynolds, we shall be glad to hear from you. Please proceed.

STATEMENT OF MR. OLIVER A. REYNOLDS

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I will not take the time of the committee to read my statement. It covers most the statements made by the other witnesses. I want to ask permission to file the statement.

Mr. CANNON. It will be made a part of the record. (The statement follows:)

STATEMENT OF OLIVER A. REYNOLDS, VICE PRESIDENT, CLEVELAND CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE

My name is Oliver A. Reynolds. I am vice president of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, a commercial organization representing some 5,000 business and professional men in Ohio. I am appearing before your subcommittee asking that consideration be given to an appropriation of $200,000 for design and engineering funds for bridges to be replaced in accordance with the Govern ment's approved Cuyahoga River improvement plan.

The remaining work on this project is replacement of three old bridges. Erie Railroad bridge No. 19 on the main stem of the Cuyahoga River, was originally scheduled for a new pier which would have permitted the passage of vessels not more than 600 feet in length. However, during the time that the Government report was approved and this bridge reached the priority among the improvements to be made (there were nine other bridges to be replaced), longer vessels were built for the Greak Lakes trade, and it was decided that it would be absolutely necessary in order to get full use of the river channels