Senator ROBERTSON. Now, Mr. Chairman, we have some very fine witnesses from the counties of Covington and Alleghany.

I first want to present Mr. J. G. Bailey. He is from Covington, but he speaks for the whole area, because he is a newspaperman, and they speak with a loud voice.

Senator MALONE. Proceed, please, Mr. Bailey.

STATEMENT OF J. G. BAILEY, EDITOR, COVINGTON VIRGINIAN, COVINGTON COUNTY, VA.

Mr. BAILEY. I am J. G. Bailey, editor of the Covington Virginian. I had not expected to make a statement here.

I know some of my friends would be glad to learn that there is something that we are in favor of. This project is certainly one that we do favor. We have studied it carefully since its beginning, since the Army engineers first proposed it, in Covington.

It has our wholehearted endorsement. We believe that it would be of great benefit to our community.

I don't think we can add any testimony, other than to say that it is our hope that it will be approved, and we hope you gentlemen will give it your best consideration.

Senator MALONE. Thank you, Mr. Bailey.

Senator ROBERTSON. Mr. Albert Smith, member of the Board of Supervisors of Alleghany County.

STATEMENT OF ALBERT SMITH, MEMBER, BOARD OF

SUPERVISORS, ALLEGHANY COUNTY, VA.

Mr. SMITH. I am Albert Smith, member, Board of Supervisors of Alleghany County, and our board has endorsed this project and I am very heartily in favor of it, and would like to see this project go through.

Senator ROBERTSON. Mr. Wallace McClung, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Covington, Va.

Mr. MCCLUNG. Thank you, Senator.

Gentleman, I don't think there is anything I can add to what has been said, except that, speaking for the chamber of commerce, I wish to say that the chamber of commerce is very much in favor of the Cathright Dam.

Senator ROBERTSON. Mr. Richard F. Beirne, Jr., another newspaperman, I will call on next. He speaks for a big area over there, and speaks very well.

Mr. BEIRNE. My name is Richard F. Beirne, Jr. Mr. Chairman, and members of the subcommittee, I am very happy to be here today, representing the Covington Daily Newspaper, Covington, Va.

As a citizen and resident of Covington for the last 20 years, I can say that I heartily endorse what has been said by Mr. Bailey, the editor of the paper, and also these other gentlemen from Alleghany, Covington, and our other Virginia neighbors.

I would like to take this opportunity to say that from the bottom of my heart I thank Senator Robertson for his presence here and all that he has said for us.

Senator ROBERTSON. Now, Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to present to you the president of the Fish and Game Association of Alleghany County, Mr. R. C. Woods.

Senator MALONE. You may proceed, Mr. Woods.

STATEMENT OF R. C. WOODS, PRESIDENT, FISH AND GAME PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION, ALLEGHANY COUNTY, VA.

Mr. WOODS. I am R. C. Woods, president, Fish and Game Protec tive Association, Alleghany County.

As a citizen of Covington, I want to endorse this dam, and to say that the Fish and Game Association certainly wants it for the recreational facilities that it will give the members of our association.

Thank you.

Senator MALONE. Mr. Woods, I would particularly like to call to your attention Senate bill 418 that I mentioned a couple of times before, because your national association supports it.

Mr. Woods. Yes, sir.

Senator ROBERTSON. Mr. Chairman, I want to say that Mr. Woods told me confidentially this morning that he knew a mighty good trout stream over there, if you have the chance to go.

Senator MALONE. Thank you.

Senator ROBERTSON. I will now call upon Mr. P. A. Reavis, secretary of the chamber of commerce of Covington.

STATEMENT OF PETER A. REAVIS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, COVINGTON, VA.

Mr. REAVIS. Mr. Chairman, my name is Peter A. Reavis, and I am now executive vice president of the Covington, Va., Chamber of Com

merce.

I would like to make just one observation about this Gathright Dam project.

I am a comparative newcomer to the State of Virginia, having been there slightly less than 2 years. But a newcomer sometimes gets the feel of the people pretty quickly.

I would like to say that in my stay in Covington and Alleghany County, I have found less than 10 people in Alleghany County opposed to this project. On the other hand, every time I walk down the streets of Covington, a number of people stop me and ask me how soon I think we will get this Gathright Dam. Is shows that the people of Alleghany County are really interested in the furtherance of this project. Another thing I would like to say is that you won't find more conservative businessmen anywhere in the United States than you find. among the members of the Covington, Va., Chamber of Commerce. These men feel that this is one of the projects that the Government ought to undertake. Private business cannot undertake certain projects for the good of all the people. However, in my study of this project, I believe it is one of those projects that it is the duty of the Government to undertake.

We feel, in Alleghany County, that you should not repeal the authorization for this project, but you should leave it standing, so that we will have an opportunity to promote this project in the years to

come.

Senator MALONE. Thank you. And I want to say to you that I am very much impressed with the seriousness of the witnesses here and the time they have taken to come up and tell us about the project and the recreation and the power and particularly the stream pollution benefit that would acrue therefrom.

It does seem that it would benefit the community immensely.
Mr. REAVIS. Thank you, sir.

Senator ROBERTSON. I would like to present Mr. Francis Loth, who either was or is president of the Izaak Walton League of Virginia. And incidentally, he has a lovely camp on this river, and he likes to see Senators visit him.

Senator MALONE. I might say that I have been in Virginia several times, and it is a beautiful State. Time is the only thing that keeps me from spending more time down there.

STATEMENT OF FRANCIS LOTH, PRESIDENT, VIRGINIA DIVISION, IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE, WAYNESBORO, VA.

Mr. LoTH. Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee, my name is Francis Loth, from Waynesboro, Va.

It is rather difficult to answer Senator Robertson, with respect to his remark just now. I am still president of the Virginia division of the Izaak Walton League, and am representing it here as such today. I am sorry the Senator is apparently on the oposite side of the fence from me in this, but that is one of the glorious things about living in this great country. We can be on the opposite sides of the fence and still be friends.

I am representing here today the conservation interests of the State of Virginia, not only for wildlife and fish and forests and soil, but, I feel, for the conservation of the taxpayers' money, the taxpayers' hardearned money.

I came with a delegation, also opposed to this project, and it was not my idea at all to be spokesman for this group. I have two gentlemen with me who are well qualified to speak to you on the subjects that they have chosen in their particular fields.

I have a statement prepared that I would like your permission to file with the committee.

Senator MALONE. Do we have a copy of it?

Mr. LOTH. I have a copy of it here.

Senator MALONE. Come forward and submit it to the reporter, and it will be included as a part of your testimony.

Mr. LOTH. I would appreciate it very much if you would give the two gentlemen I referred to an opportunity to present their views on this subject.

Senator MALONE. Would you give the committee their names again? Mr. LOTH. I will, sir.

My entire delegation consists of Mr. C. Purcell McCue, Mr. J. D. Coyner, Mr. Lyman Carrier, and Mr. O. R. Randolph. Mr. Randolph is a consulting engineer from Charlottesville, Va., and Mr. Carrier is a past State conservationist of the State of Virginia.

In my study and investigation of this project, I can't seem to find a single conservation measure in the whole project. And, as I say, in connection with the statement I just made, I am also trying to conserve the taxpayers' money. That is the basis of my opposition to this

project, and I hope the committee will see fit to report the bill out, and de-authorize the Gathright Dam at a very early date.

Senator ROBERTSON. I am very proud to give you an opportunity to be heard.

We have been friends for many years, and no matter on which side, I wanted you to be heard.

Do you want those gentlemen you mentioned to come in before the remainder of those who are in support, or would you rather that they follow?

Mr. LOTH. I would rather that they would follow them. (The prepared statement of Mr. Loth is as follows:)

STATEMENT OF FRANCIS LOTH

Hon. Chapman Revercomb, chairman, and members, Public Works Committee, United States Senate, we the undersigned citizens and taxpayers of the United States and of the State of Virginia, representing many other citizens and numerous organized groups of citizens and taxpayers, respectfully submit to your committee our opposition to the construction of the Gathright and Falling Springs Dams in Allegheny County, Va.

After a thorough study and investigation by competent engineers, chemists, and other experts in the field of water control, we believe and are convinced that the claims for benefits from the construction of this project are largely erroneous and we oppose it for the following reasons:

1. With the national debt far out of proportion to the national income and an already approved public works program that will take many years to complete, a further appropriation of an estimated 20 or more million dollars for useless construction is not justified.

2. Flood control or reduction of flood damage in the James River basin will be negligible because the Jackson River contributes only a small part of the total volume.

3. Pollution abatement below Covington, Va., by the construction of this dam is a myth. Since the normal annual flow cannot be increased, impounding water for low water period use in the summer months can only reduce pollution during these months to the winter level which, at best, is now intolerable. A recently enacted water-control law in Virginia will, in due time, place the burden of responsibility on the offending industry instead of on the taxpayers. An advocate of the project, speaking for the offending industry, has stated openly that if an increased water supply is made available, production will be increased proportionately. Therefore, no pollution abatement will be effected. If more water is needed by this or any private industry, we are opposed to its being made available at public expense.

4. According to the published report and plan of this project, the prime factor in its construction seems to be the hydroelectric power plant having a maximum of only 6 hours for daily operation. We oppose further competition of Government with private enterprise and protest the sale of electric power by the Government to any purchaser at a cost below that of production at the expense of the taxpayers.

5. Nowhere have we observed any record of a so-called multiple-purpose dam (cross purpose would be a better term) being practical other than as talking point and on the drawing board. Under normal water and weather conditions, they function as planned, but in times of emergency our inability to predict floods in time to empty or sufficiently reduce power pools to hold floodwaters frequently results in serious damage to areas below the dams that have developed under the false impression that they will be protected forever. We maintain that the reduction of flood damage to agricultural lands below the dams, which averages once in 5 to 8 years, does not offset the permanent destruction of the inundated area above. In this case a great portion of the tillable land in Bath County, which is largely mountainous, will be sacrificed.

6. No appreciable benefits to wildlife, fish, recreation, or soil conservation can result. A lake will be of no greater advantage to wildlife than the present water course in its natural state. Fishing may improve in an artificially stocked lake for a few years, but fish experts are agreed that all natural reproduction stops where there is a fluctuating water level, and keeping such a lake adequately

stocked becomes an increasingly difficult problem. TVA lakes are already showing signs of a reduction in fish life that will reach serious proportions within the next few years. Claytor Lake, in Virginia, is now requiring extensive study to solve its fishing problem. Some boating and bathing will be possible, and doubtless a limited number of cabins and summer cottages will be built by those not averse to mud flats, mosquitos, etc., as a result of drawdown. No soil conservation whatever will be effected. On the contrary, much valuable and fertile acreage will be destroyed.

7. In this mountain area the life of a dam for flood control will probably be longer than the life of those in low country carrying more silt. We believe, however, that its usefulness for flood control will be destroyed by silting long before the tremendous cost can be legitimately written off.

In view of the above, we again wish to strongly urge that the Gathright and Falling Springs Dams in Allegheny and Bath Counties in Virginia be deauthorized immediately.

Senator ROBERTSON. We now would like to hear from Mr. John D. Capron, president of the Glamorgan Foundry Co., of Lynchburg. Senator MALONE. You may proceed, Mr. Capron.

STATEMENT OF JOHN D. CAPRON, PRESIDENT, GLAMORGAN FOUNDRY CO., LYNCHBURG, VA.

Mr. CAPRON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Name is John D. Capron. I am president of the Glamorgan Pipe & Foundry Co., of Lynchburg, Va. Also I am chairman of the city-wide committee of Lynchburg that Mr. McWane spoke of some time ago.

However, I would like to speak here to you as an individual, and not as chairman of that committee, beyond saying, perhaps, that there is a representative on that committee from the Izaak Walton League. Apparently they don't know that the Izaak Walton League of the State is on the other side of the fence.

Gentlemen, I probably feel more strongly with regard to this bill than any other man in the room. I think I have reason to feel more strongly.

In the first place, my office is within a few feet of the noble James, and in the summer I have become quite accustomed to rising and closing the windows when the odor gets too bad.

I believe the building of the Gathright Dam would do a great deal toward mitigating this trouble. However, if I ever had occasion to forget the troubles there, I could remember a day in 1936, after 12 hours of piling sandbags, when I stood back and watched the last crest of that flood come over our revetment there. It naturally cut right through, dumped tens of thousands of tons of sand and gravel on our plant.

Our men were out of work for many months. That in itself was bad. But that afternoon I saw a member of the local first-aid group drowned in an effort at salvage.

Gentlemen, I feel very strongly. I know that the Gathright Dam, on the reports of the Army engineers, and the reports of our own engineers, would have prevented that flood, would have prevented that catastrophe. And, gentlemen, I ask you when you consider this bill,

to remember our needs.

Thank you very much.

Senator MALONE. Thank you, Mr. Capron.

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