that a new bridge be constructed at this point rather than a new pier. The new bridge was authorized in House Document 105, 85th Congress, 1st session. Its completion will permit the passage of vessels in the 650-foot class. There are two other bridges to be replaced in this program, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge No. 32 and Willow Highway Bridge No. 33. These bridges prevent the movement of large vessels to the Erie Railroad ore docks, with the result that this important public dock facility serving steel plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania cannot be used to its capacity in serving the ore requirements of industry. These two bridges also prevent larger vessels from serving oversea docks on the Old River branch. Cleveland is not asking for construction money at this time, but only funds for design and engineering. We hope that your committee will recommend $200,000 for the port of Cleveland in connection with these three bridges. I appreciate very much the time you have given me with regard to the improvement of important sections of Cleveland's inner harbor. Mr. REYNOLDS. I also want to file a letter from Vice Adm. Lyndon Spencer, president of the Lake Carriers' Association supporting our request. Mr. CANNON. It will be made a part of the record. (The letter follows:) CONGRESSMAN CLARENCE CANNON, LAKE CARRIERS' ASSOCIATION, Chairman, Subcommittee on Public Works, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR Mr. CANNON: Congress has previously given its approval to the replacement of three bridges across the Cuyahoga River at Cleveland, Ohio. These three bridges are the Erie Railroad bridge across the main river and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge and Willow Avenue Highway Bridge across the Old River. No funds have been appropriated to carry out these authorized improvements. The Cuyahoga River is an important artery of commerce. The vessels which move millions of tons of cargo up this river are constantly increasing in length and beam. It is necessary that a widened and deepened channel be provided if the delivery of cargoes is to continue at economical rates. Before the actual work of replacing these bridges can start, a considerable amount of designing and engineering is necessary. This first step should get underway immediately in order that there may be no undue delay in completing the whole project. It is estimated that $200,000 will be needed for this first step. It is urged that your committee make this amount available for the fiscal year 1961. This request is made on behalf of Lake Carriers' Association, whose 31 member companies operate on the Great Lakes 313 bulk cargo vessels of 2,231,186 gross registered tons. Sincerely yours, LYNDON SPENCER. Mr. VANIK. Mr. Chairman, I would like to present Mr. John D. Reddy, manager of the Erie Dock Co. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Reddy, the committee will be glad to hear from you at this time. STATEMENT OF MR. JOHN D. REDDY Mr. REDDY. Mr. Chairman, I will appreciate an opportunity to file this statement for your records. Mr. CANNON. It will be made a part of the record. (The statement follows:) STATEMENT OF JOHN D. REDDY, MANAGER, THE ERIE DOCK Co. My name is John D. Reddy. I am manager of the Erie Dock Co. We operate an iron-ore-unloading dock located on the old Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio. This dock is owned by the Erie Railroad Co. and they provide the railroad service and equipment essential to its operation. The iron ore unloaded at this dock is delivered to furnaces located in the Youngstown and Pittsburgh district and on occasion to furnaces located in the Cleveland area. At the present time the navigational facilities do not permit boats in excess of 620 feet in length to come to this dock. Two of the main obstacles are the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge No. 32 and the Willow Street highway bridge No. 33 whose span of the river is not wide enough to permit the newer and larger ships to come to this dock. The various companies that own and operate ore carriers on the Great Lakes are uniform in their agreement that simple economics dictate the necessity for replacement of older and smaller ships with larger and faster ones. It is fairly common knowledge that if they fail in this program their future is very uncertain. Failure would be a tragedy to this country regardless of whether it occurred in time of peace or war. As evidence of their good faith in the future of this country, they have, since the end of World War II, initiated a construetion program to replace many of the older ships. This program has resulted in about 40 new ships being put into the Great Lakes ore trade since that time. This construction program has made a substantial economical improvement in the makeup of the Great Lakes ore fleet with the emphasis naturally being placed on larger boats. As evidence we cite the following statistics: The above indicates that the size of the ships has increased approximately 34 percent and as a result of this and the increase in speed they are now able to move a much larger tonnage in a more economical manner. The Erie Dock Co. iron-ore-unloading dock is one of the major operations of its type on Lake Erie but, unfortunately, approximately 32 of the ships now in the Great Lakes ore fleet cannot come to this dock because of the previously mentioned bridges. During recent years we have on several occasions pointed out this situation to the Corps of Engineers, and their studies have verified our position that the replacement of the bridges is not only necessary to the safety and welfare of this country but is economically sound as well. The steel industry in this country has in recent years added additional capacity to their existing facilities by the installation of modern improvements and have also erected new facilities which have tended to increase the steel-ingot production that is needed to serve this country in times of peace and war and also under existing threats of war. It is essential, therefore, that they have a constant source of raw material. This is supplied through mines, ships, docks, and railroads. The Erie Railroad Co. has, since the end of the war, expended in excess of $3 million to modernize this unloading dock and have publicly stated their willingness to cooperate in any program that will justify making additional improvements. The railroad itself has been modernized through use of diesel engines and new equipment, rails, etc. The various ore-mining companies have devised new methods for improving low-grade ores and to date have invested over $500 million in new plants that are capable of producing in excess of 12 million tons of high-grade ore per year. In addition they have improved operating facilities at existing mines, with the i result that the Lake Superior iron-ore region is capable of supplying a substantial amount of the iron ore required by steel companies of this country. From the above it will be seen that the steel industry and all segments thereto have carried out a major program through which they are capable of making more and better steel than in the past. The one segment that has not kept pace with this program involves improved navigational facilities, including deepening and widening of channels, installation of larger bridges, etc. The Corps of Engineers have in connection with the St. Lawrence Seaway initiated a program to correct this situation, and have been in the process of so doing during the past few years. The two bridges that we are directly concerned with are part of this overall program. We are therefore seeking your approval of funds in the amount of $200,000 for design and engineering work in connection with the replacement of the existing bridges with modern structures. Your favorable consideration of this request will be appreciated. Mr. REDDY. I am manager of the Erie Dock Co. We operate an iron-ore-unloading dock located on the old Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio. This dock is owned by the Erie Railroad Co. and they provide the railroad service and equipment essential to its operation. We are very much interested in getting this improvement. If we do not get it, we will not be able to serve the large boats now being constructed in the iron-ore business and the steel business. Thank you very much. Mr. CANNON. Thank you, Mr. Reddy. Mr. VANIK. Mr. Chairman, Congressman Feighan was here a few moment ago and he had to leave. I know he would like to have his statement filed in the record. Mr. CANNON. Congressman Feighan's statement will be made a part of the record. (The statement follows:) STATEMENT OF HON. MICHAEL A. FEIGHAN, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 20TH DISTRICT OF OHIO Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, I welcome this opportunity to appear before you to urge your approval of an appropriation of $200,000 for the purpose of making plans for bridges on the Cuyahoga River, to be replaced in accordance with the Cuyahoga River improvement plan which our Government has approved. It is my understanding that the city of Cleveland and the railroads will contribute a reasonable amount of money as their share in this undertaking. The ultimate objective is to provide proper clearance so that vessels up to 650 feet in length may be able to navigate Cuyahoga River. Details regarding these three bridges will be fully described by witnesses from Cleveland. I urge approval of this appropriation. Mr. VANIK. Congressman Minshall also was here. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Minshall's statement has been made a part of the record. Mr. VANIK. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. Mr. CANNON. Thank you. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1960. PRINCETON, EAST RAINELLE, AND WILLIAMSON PROJECTS AND BIG SANDY RIVER SURVEY WITNESS JAMES KEE, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO HON. ELIZABETH KEE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA Mr. CANNON. Mr. Kee, I believe you wish to make a statement with reference to the Princeton, East Rainelle, and Williamson projects and the Big Sandy River survey? Mr. KEE. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, Congresswoman Kee would like to have your permission to file her statement at this point in the record. Mr. CANNON. It will be included in the record. (The statement follows:) STATEMENT OF HON. ELIZABETH KEE Mr. Chairman and other distinguished members of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives, I am grateful to you for the opportunity to present this statement requesting the necessary funds, as approved by the Bureau of the Budget, for the flood control projects in my congressional district. It has been my privilege during recent years to appear before your committee with a statement requesting funds for each of these fully justified projects. LOCAL PROTECTION PROJECTS Brush Creek flood control project at Princeton, W. Va. The total Federal cost is estimated to be $1,160,000. Appropriations by the Congress through fiscal year 1960 totaled $562,000. The construction contract has been let, and I am gratified to be able to report to you that the President's budget for fiscal year 1961 includes $598,000, which is necessary in order to complete construction. Meadow River flood control project at East Rainelle, W. Va. The total Federal cost is estimated to be $950,000. Appropriations by Congress through fiscal year 1960 totaled $546,000. The construction contract has been let, and I am also gratified to be able to report that the President's budget for fiscal year 1961 includes $404,000, which is necessary to complete construction. As a matter of fact, in this immediate area within the past few days over 600 families were forced to be evacuated because of our current flood. Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that construction is underway on both of these vitally needed flood control projects, I believe it will serve the economy of the United States if your committee will approve the necessary funds in order that construction may be completed and our local citizens may enjoy the benefit of adequate flood control protection. Williamson floodwall project, Williamson, W. Va. Mr. Chairman, the Williamson floodwall project is also a local protection project, designed to protect the residents of the city. The total Federal cost is estimated to be $723,000. Appropriations by the Congress through fiscal year 1960 totaled $73,000 for preparation of a general design memorandum and the plans and specifications. These plans and specifications have been completed. and I am gratified that the President's budget for fiscal year 1961 includes $300,000 in order to initiate construction. The city has demonstrated the ability to discharge its responsibility. Big Sandy River and tributaries SURVEY REPORTS The total estimated cost for completion of the Big Sandy River survey is $217,600. Allocations to date total $147,400. Mr. Chairman, with specific reference to the survey report on the Big Sandy River, the funds allocated to this 1 study had been sufficient to complete the survey report. However, in view of the flood of record in January 1957, it was necessary that a portion of these funds be used for emergency studies on local protection areas on Levisa Fork and other tributaries on the Big Sandy River. In this connection, it is my understanding that the Bureau of the Budget has allocated under "General investigations" an amount of only $10,000 in order to continue this survey report during fiscal year 1961. Because of the dire need in this immediate area, which I might add has the highest rate of unemployment to be found anywhere in the United States, I would especially be most grateful to this committee if you can appropriate the full $70,200 which is necessary to complete this survey and have this money earmarked for this specific purpose in order that the survey may be completed at the earliest possible moment. This entire valley is in urgent need of flood protection. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully bring to your attention the fact that the residents of the areas mentioned above are anxiously looking forward to the appropriation of these requested funds in order that construction may continue uninterrupted so as to eliminate continued unnecessary and devastating floods at the earliest possible moment. I will be personally deeply grateful to you and the members of your committee for your favorable consideration of each request. Mr. KEE. And if I might have 1 minute to make an observation.. Mr. CANNON. You may proceed. Mr. KEE. The Congresswoman has been before your committee on several occasions in connection with flood control projects in the Fifth West Virginia Congressional District. The statement mother has: submitted is very brief because it is not necessary to repeat what has. been said before. One important point is the serious unemployment problem of our people back home. In the Tug Valley area we have the highest rate of unemployment in the United States. Over 50 percent of the population living in that area are dependent, in whole or in part, on surplus commodities. Mr. CANNON. Off the record. (Discussion off the record.) Mr. CANNON. You may proceed. Mr. KEE. Mr. Chairman, with reference to the Big Sandy survey report this is a difficult thing and we hardly know how to present it. We had $147,400 for the Big Sandy River survey report, which was. sufficient to complete the survey report. However, unfortunately, in January 1957 we had a flood of record which ruined our entire area down there. Because of that flood, it was necessary to use a portion of these funds to make emergency studies on local protection areas, to see what could be done on a local flood protection basis. Some of the funds were used for that purpose and we now find we need an additional $70,200 to complete that survey. The Bureau of the Budget has approved under "General investigations" only $10,000. If there any way this committee could earmark $70,200 for the completion of the survey Mr. CANNON. Off the record. (Discussion off the record.) Mr. CANNON. Proceed. Mr. KEE. Mr. Chairman, this survey, if it proves feasible-and we have no way of knowing until the survey is completed whether it will prove feasible or not-if the survey report is favorable it will do a great deal to attract private industry into this area to take up some of our unemployment. There are people who are receiving benefits from the Government who do not want it. They want work, Mr. Chairman. We respectfully ask you and the distinguished members of the committee in your deliberations to give favorable consideration to this request. Thank you. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1960. EAST SIDE LEVEE AND SANITARY DISTRICT; CHOUTEAU ISLAND LEVEE AND DRAINAGE DISTRICT WITNESS HON. MELVIN PRICE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS Mr. CANNON. We are glad to have with us the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Price. You may proceed, Mr. Price. Mr. PRICE. Mr. Chairman, I will be very brief. 54265-60-pt. 440 |