That, my understanding is, is what happened, and that is why the report of the Chief of Engineers was drawn as it is-they had not yet used up the $250,000, and we are simply anticipating that; that is all. Next year, when that $250,000 has been used up, then we will be at liberty to report to Congress and, from the results obtained, to make further recommendation for the continuance of the work, as I understand the matter. Mr. GREENE. If no appropriation was made this year, you would have to cease work about the 1st of July? Col. TAYLOR. We would have to cease work about the 1st of July; yes, sir. Mr. GREENE. Now, as I understand the position of the department engineers, it is that they think the work should not cease? Col. TAYLOR. Certainly, not at the present time. Mr. GREENE. Not at the 1st of July? Col. TAYLOR. Not at the 1st of July; no, sir. Mr. GREENE. But ought to be continued? Col. TAYLOR. It ought to be continued another year; certainly. Mr. GREENE. And if you were compelled to cease work the 1st of July, then it would perhaps be allowed to lay over for another year? Col. TAYLOR. Yes, sir. (Thereupon, at 4.50 o'clock p. m., the committee adjourned until to-morrow, Friday, Jan. 23, 1914, at 10.30 o'clock a. m.) PROVIDENCE RIVER AND HARBOR, R. I. COMMITTEE ON RIVERS AND HARBORS, The committee was called to order at 10.30 a. m., Hon. Stephen M. Sparkman (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. This meeting was called this morning for the purpose of hearing Mr. O'Shaunessy in the matter he wishes to present to the committee on behalf of Providence Harbor. Mr. O'Shaunessy, we will now hear from you on this subject. STATEMENT OF HON. GEORGE F. O'SHAUNESSY, A MEMBER OF CONGRESS. Mr. O'SHAUNESSY. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I have been requested by the State harbor improvement commission to present certain facts and circumstances in relation to an appropriation for Providence Harbor made in river and harbor act of March 4, 1913. Reference to page 2 shows the following language: Improving Providence River and Harbor, Rhode Island: Completing improvement in accordance with the report submitted in House Document Numbered Nine hundred and nineteen, Sixtieth Congress, first session, $164,800; improving same in accordance with the report submitted in House Document Numbered Thirteen hundred and sixty-nine, Sixty-second Congress, third session, $100,000: Provided, That the Secretary of War may enter into a contract or contracts for such materials and work as may be necessary to complete the said project, to be paid for as appropriations may from time to time be made by law, not to exceed in the aggregate $827,800, exclusive of the amounts herein and heretofore appropriated: Provided further, That no work in the harbor proper north of Fields Point shall be done until the Secretary of War is satisfied that the State and city have completed their propoesd expenditures in the combined Providence and Pawtucket Harbors, up to at least $2,000,000, for public terminals or other permanent public harbor improvements: Provided further, That the dredged material may be deposited on shallow areas near the city of Providence if plans therefor can be arranged with local interests whereby the cost of the work to the United States will not be increased over that of towing to the present dumping ground. Now, that shows the situation, and also that part of the act calling for the expenditure of the sum of $2,000,000 in Providence and Pawtucket Harbors, and it appears that an amount nearly equal to that sum of $2,000,000 has been spent by the city of Providence and by the State of Rhode Island. Mr. BARCHFELD. How much has been spent? Mr. O'SHAUNESSY. I think the amount actually spent amounts to $1,718,586.59. Now, owing to that condition or provision in the law that work north of Fields Point has been stopped, and the Army engineer, basing his objection, of course, upon the law as he interprets it, adhering to a strict construction of it, claims they can not go on with the work and that the remedy is up to Congress with the intervention of this committee. 32256-14 3 Now, I have here a detailed statement of the amounts spent by the city of Provider.ce and by the State of Rhode Island, and the amount of the appropriation by the Government and the amount appropriated by the city of Providence and the State of Rhode Island under proper authority, and I will leave them with you to be printed in the record. Appropriations and expenditures at port of Providence to Dec. 1, 1913. United States Government: For channel 25 feet completed, estimated cost.. 30 feet in progress, amount authorized. Total of completed work..... State of Rhode Island: For harbor improvements Total amount authorized by voters.. Expenditures already made or for which State is State Pier No. 1 complete, including the land, Adjacent land condemned by State, value Land purchased at Pawtucket for wharf.... $485,900.00 142, 543. 59 30, 000. 00 $459, 000. 00 927,800.00 1, 386, 800. 00 1, 500, 000, 00 City of Providence: Total amount appropriated by city council for dredging, land and Expenditures already made or for which city is liable- Necessary land purchased in connection with sea wall improvements.. Sewer connections charged to sea wall.. Filling out to wall... Dredging above Fox Point.. Total appropriations by State and city.. $566, 484.00 93,755. 00 13, 654. 00 78,250.00 130, 000. 00 882, 143. 00 910, 755.00 2, 410, 755. 00 Total expenditures made or in progress by State and city... 1, 718, 586. 59 Mr. KENNEDY. Was this scheme of cooperation proposed by the city of Providence and the State of Rhode Island to spend this $2,000,000? Mr. O'SHAUNESSY. I think it was. It makes no difference whether it was proposed by them or not, the fact is that is the contract. Mr. HUMPHREY. What is the point in dispute? Mr. O'SHAUNESSY. The work is not going to progress until we spend $2,000,000. They want the work on the part of the Government to progress whether we have spent $2,000,000 or not, and they say in support of that--but I presume I had better read the letter from the chairman of the State harbor improvement commission: |