ized construction of an adequate protection system of levees, seawalls, and pamping stations. Galveston County can and will fulfill its obligations under the act of Congress authorizing this project. The present Federal budget includes An item of $169,000 for preliminary work. The Corps of Engineers have capablity of using $369,000. For this reason Galveston County most respectfully requests that your honorable committee increase this original appropriation to the sum of $369,000 and recommends the expenditure of Galveston County funds by the Corps of Engineers so this project can be expedited as rapidly as possible.

THEODORE R. ROBINSON,

County Judge, Galveston County, Tex.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1960.

AFTERNOON SESSION

J. PERCY PRIEST DAM

WITNESSES

HON. ESTES KEFAUVER, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE

HON. J. CARLTON LOSER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE

HON. JOE L. EVINS, A REPRESNTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE

HON. ALBERT GORE, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF TENNESSEE

Mr. RABAUT. The committee will come to order.

We have with us our colleague, the senior Senator from Tennessee, Ion. Estes Kefauver, who desires to talk to the committee with refrence to the J. Percy Priest Dam.

Senator KEFAUVER. Mr. Chairman and my colleagues, I have a atement which I would like to file, and then I will summarize

Mr. RABAUT. Without objection, the statement will be made a art of the record at this point.

(The statement referred to follows:)

[ATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE ESTES KEFAUVER, U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE Mr. Chairman, I'm grateful for the opportunity to appear before your comittee today to urge a resurvey of the J. Percy Priest Dam project on the ones River, near Nashville, Tenn., and preconstruction planning of the CorHull Dam on the Cumberland River, near Carthage, Tenn. I would also e to commend to the attention of the committee the proposed Celina Dam the Cumberland River.

The Percy Priest Dam would be of truly great benefit to the citizens of ilson, Rutherford, and Davidson Counties, and they have anxiously awaited construction since it was authorized by Congress almost 25 years ago. The oject is now in the limbo of the Corps of Engineers "inactive" category, and my conviction that a project with the potential value of this dam should got on with, and not allowed to drag on and on, to the benefit of no The reason for the project's present consignment to the "inactive" category that its benefits-to-cost ratio is now computed as being 0.82. It is my undernding that this ratio was arrived at by escalations and estimates which rest the bedrock of the original survey of this project in the late thirties. It

would appear that fresher figures are necessary in order to make an int gent appraisal of the present and future value of this project.

There are two main reasons why the benefits-to-cost ratio has sunk to present low level. First, since the dam was authorized, construction of ot dams in the area has reduced somewhat the projected flood control capability the Percy Priest Dam. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Nashville and surrounding area will not be free from the threat of floods until the Pe Priest Dam is built.

So we see that the benefits portion of the ratio has been reduced. In additi land values and construction costs have risen sharply since the thirties, as all know. This rise, effecting the cost portion of the ratio, has had its p in further reducing the ratio.

The reason for my request for a resurvey of the Percy Priest project is conviction that with the great changes that have taken place since this d was authorized, warmed-over figures are not good enough on which to base decision as to the value of a project of this importance. The value of the da must be assessed in light of today's conditions. For example, there is a serio water supply problem in Rutherford and Davidson Counties which would relieved by construction of this dam. These counties have been unusually acti and successful in attracting new industry, but this long-range program is now danger because of the increasing inadequacy of the area's water supply. The is also a public-health factor involved: there simply is not enough safe water. Mr. Chairman, I strongly feel that a fresh appraisal of the Percy Prie project-one which would include an estimate of recreational benefits, as well flood-control, power generation, and water supply benefits-is essential. understand that this resurvey can be accomplished with $10,000; I think it won be money well spent.

There is a possibility, I understand, that the Corps of Engineers might ha some savings from other studies which could be used in the Percy Priest resurve What is needed to authorize the corps to do this is a letter of authorization fro this committee and one from the Senate Public Works Appropriation Subco mittee. I will certainly be grateful if the committee sees fit to grant such s authorization, and I'm not reluctant to request it, since I feel strongly that th resurvey is very much in the public interest. If it is determined that the muni ipalities and counties which would benefit from the resurvey should share portion of its cost, I'm sure the governments concerned would be more tha happy to cooperate.

Now, Mr. Chairman, I'd like to move on for a few minutes to the Cordell Hu Dam on the Cumberland River. This project, along with the Celina Dam projec also on the upper Cumberland, near the Kentucky-Tennessee line, would con tribute greatly to the welfare of a great number of citizens of both Kentucky an Tennessee.

Like the Percy Priest project, the Cordell Hull and the Celina Dams wer authorized some time ago, and the citizens of the area they would serve have fo a long time been disappointed that construction has been so long delayed. think it is time for serious thought to be devoted to going forward with thes projects; further delay and procrastination are simply not in the public interes I would at this time like to emphasize the importance of navigation locks maximum development of the upper Cumberland area. When the Corps Engineers conducted its preconstruction planning of the Cordell Hull Dam i 1953, it was decided that it was not economically feasible to include a naviga tion lock in plans for the dam. If a lock is not provided, the Cumberland Rive above Carthage would be forever sealed to river navigation. I, along with man others, feel that this would be an inexcusably shortsighted action, cutting a about 235 miles of navigable river.

There has been a tremendous increase in the volume of barge traffic on th upper Cumberland in the last few years and indications are that there is sti an untapped potential of great proportions which would be forever locked in f the dam at Carthage is built without a lock. It is interesting to note that th area which would suffer most if a navigation lock is not included in the Cordel Hull Dam-that is the area above Carthage along the Cumberland-is perhap the worst pocket of economic depression in Tennessee. The same is true of the Kentucky area along the river. But this area contains vast reserves of coa and nuldwood, and these have the potential to revive the economy of the mone Cumberland plateau. This revival is doomed to failure, however, if one of thị major means of volume transport, the river, is plugged against outside markets

There is, for example, a great and continuing need for coal at the Gallatin steamplant on the Cumberland below Carthage. If the Cordell Hull Dam is built without a lock, it will make it impossible to use cheap barge transportation deliver coal from above Carthage to the steamplant. This is only one example d many I could cite, but I know my time before the committee is running out. As I remarked a few minutes ago, I really think it's time we started action m the Cordell Hull and Celina Dams. They would be of truly far-reaching importance to the development of the upper Cumberland area, and I sincerely hope that this committee sees fit to advance the projects in the very near future. It is my understanding that the Corps of Engineers can effectively use the sum of $50,000 for what is termed "economic analysis" of the Cordell Hull project. It is my feeling that a full-scale preconstruction study is more appropriate and I sincerely hope that the committee sees fit to authorize such a study. I believe the cost of such overall advanced planning is about $300,000. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the chance to talk about these very important projects. I'll be happy to answer any questions you or any member of the committee might like to ask.

Mr. RABAUT. Senator Kefauver, you may proceed.

Senator KEFAUVER. Mr. Chairman, I am grateful to have the opportunity to appear before you to urge, first, a resurvey of the dam to be named in honor of our former colleague, J. Percy Priest, on Stones River, near Nashville, Tenn.

This dam is to be located in Congressman Loser's district.

Congressman Evins, of Tennessee, has worked for this project and has also been very interested in it for a number of years-many years and, of course, Congressman Loser is directly concerned and he has been doing valiant work for it also.

This Percy Priest Dam, or a dam on the Stones River, was authorized about 25 years ago, and then it was reauthorized since that time. It would be of great benefit to the citizens of Wilson, Rutherford, and Davidson Counties. It would generate some power. It is important for flood control and it is of great importance in the water supply for Nashville, for Smyrna, for Murfreesboro and for other towns in that region. It has been put on the so-called inactive list by the Corps of Engineers because of a drop in the benefit-cost ratio. My understanding is that this ratio was arrived at by escalating estimates which rest on the bedrock of the original survey of this project in the late 1930's. It would appear that fresher figures are necessary in order to make an intelligent appraisal of the present and future value of the project. Also, that with the local communities sharing to some extent, that some consideration be given under the rules of the Corps of Engineers to the recreational benefits.

The reason for this request for a resurvey is that great changes have taken place since this dam was authorized, and old figures are not good enough on which to base a decision as to the present value of a project of this importance.

As I have stated, there is a serious water supply problem in these counties. Their section has grown up and there is a public health feature involved in connection with the lack of water supply.

The Corps of Engineers, or General Cassidy, and others, said they would like to make a resurvey in the light of these new facts and that they need $10,000 for that purpose; that they would be glad to take it out of unused money if they had authorization from this committee and from the Senate committee. If that is not possible, we would like to ask for $10,000 for this further survey by the Corps of Engineers.

Mr. EVINS. Will the gentleman yield?

Senator KEFAUVER. I very happily yield.

Mr. EVINS. I know the gentleman has been active on this matter because I have been associated with him and Congressman Loser and others at various meetings in Tennessee last fall and in Washington this year. At one of the meetings the Corps of Engineers people indicated that if a letter were received from both the Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the House for the small sum involved, that they could possibly transfer or utilize existing funds if such letters were written.

Senator Kefauver, is that the situation?

Senator KEFAUVER. That is correct; we had a meeting with General Cassidy and with other representatives of the Corps of Engineers. Mr. EVINS. Has the gentleman procured or been able to obtain the letter from the Senate?

Senator KEFAUVER. We have secured a letter from the Public Works Committee of the Senate, which was also one of the requests. Senator Ellender said he would like to see if there are unused funds, before writing such a letter and also to get the attitude of the House committee, but I feel that if we can get such a letter from this committee that Senator Ellender will also write a letter.

Mr. EVINS. I certainly hope, Mr. Chairman, that such a letter will be sent to the Corps of Engineers or, if not, that the funds may be appropriated for this study in order to bring it up to date.

Senator KEFAUVER. The other project, Mr. Chairman, is the Cordell Hull Dam on the Cumberland near Carthage, Tenn., which is in Congressman Evins' fine district, and is the hometown of my colleague, Senator Gore. This has been authorized some time ago. Since that time there has been a great deal of economic development in this area. There is a great deal of barging of coal on the Cumberland as well as timber, and in connection with further advanced planning for the Cordell Hull Dam at Carthage we have asked the Corps of Engineers to look further into the feasibility and necessity of having locks in the dam when they build it. It would seem to me to be very unfortunate if this dam should be planned and built without locks, because that would tie up 235 miles of navigable river above the Cordell Hull Dam. This project is a good one. It is a part of the overall development which has been recommended. The Corps of Engineers has said that to further complete their advanced planning they could economically use, I believe, $250,000. Was that the figure they gave you, Congressman Evins ?

Mr. EVINS. Yes, sir; I understand they could use $250,000 to complete the preconstruction planning.

Does that figure agree with what they have reported to you, Senator?

Senator KEFAUVER. It does. There was some talk also about $50,000 in addition for economic analyses, but I take it that the $250,000 would cover both of them, and we would hope that this final engineering work can be done.

Mr. EVINS. Would the gentleman yield further?

Senator KEFAUVER. Yes, sir.

Mr. EVINS. I think it should be pointed out for the record that the Cumberland River to which the Senator is addressing his remarks is

maintained and controlled by the Corps of Engineers and that this is a Corps of Engineers project and not a TVA project. The TVA is confined to the Tennessee River. This is the Cumberland River to which these remarks are being addressed?

Senator KEFAUVER. Yes, sir. The Cordell Hull Dam would be a navigation dam, flood control, and also electric power. It has been in their program for a long time. There has been some money spent on planning already, and this would complete the planning so that construction could get started in due course, which we hope would be in the following fiscal year.

Gentlemen, I certainly appreciate this opportunity of coming over and being with you and speaking in behalf of these projects.

We are also interested in the Celina Dam which is located in Kentucky above the Cordell Hull Dam, but that will come later. Mr. RABAUT. Thank you very much, Senator.

Senator KEFAUVER. Thank you, gentlemen.

STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE J. CARLTON LOSER, TENNESSEE

Mr. RABAUT. We shall now be glad to hear from Congressman Loser, of Tennessee.

Mr. LOSER. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I just wanted to join with the distinguished senior Senator from Tennessee in assisting in the proposal to allocate or to appropriate sufficient funds to make the resurvey of the Percy Priest Dam which is located. in my county. As the Senator has stated, it has been approved for more than 25 years, and there was another approval of the project in late years, but by reason of a finding by the corps at this time, or at some time past in recent months, it was found it was not further feasible, but we feel, and the corps feels, through General Cassidy that if we had a resurvey, it might meet with the approval of the corps. I just wanted to add my word of support to those of the Senator, as well as my colleague, Mr. Evins, in whose district this dam and the project will be beneficial.

We are extremely hopeful that we might receive this money for the purpose of making this reappraisal.

Mr. RABAUT. Thank you very much, Congressman Loser.

Mr. LOSER. Thank you, sir.

Mr. EVINS. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that we three may be permitted to further extend our remarks at this point. Mr. RABAUT. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. EVINS. Mr. Chairman, I should like to join with my colleagues, Senators Kefauver and Gore, and Congressman Loser, in urging action during this term on the projects in my State, the Percy Priest Reservoir project and the Cordell Hull Reservoir project. Both have been under con sideration for a number of years but have been deferredand I must say deferred to the detriment of all concerned-delayed by the "no new starts" policy of the Budget Bureau in the past years.

The Cordell Hull project is estimated to cost $45.8 million. Funds in the amount of $206,000 have been appropriated by the Congress in the past for planning on this project. The current estimated cost of the preconstruction planning is approximately $525,000, which leaves a balance of less than $400,000 needed to complete the preconstruction planning.