tion of menaces to health, preservation of community morale, some improvement in irrigation and water supply, and prevention of interruption of railroad traffic which in time of national emergency might be vital.

The ratio of tangible benefits to carrying charges was very conservatively calculated to be 0.78 by the district engineer but he has considered the intangible benefits to be of such great weight that the improvements are amply justified and recommended. We note that the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors concurs in the views of the district engineer, but finds that the cost of the two dams should be increased from the estimated $1,776,000 to $1,986,000, principally because of the remote and isolated location of the structures. The Board has also determined that the measurable benefits which will result from prevention of interruptions to rail service should, on the basis of the records of the railroad in past years be increased to an average of $110,000 annually. This gives a ratio of 1.32 of benefits to costs, and further strengthens the recommendation of the district engineer that the improvements should be constructed.

The interim survey and report was made because of the recognized urgency for flood protection and for that reason has been completed separately and prior to an over-all study of the Virgin River and its tributaries now being made by the district engineer, and of which this project is essentially a part.

We are of the opinion that the intangible benefit to water conservation and irrigation will be very substantial, although the improvements are not designed for that purpose. In this arid region, flash floods and cloudbursts are the rule during the hot summers and are very frequent. While resultant damage from many of these minor floods may be small or absent, such water is completely lost for all useful purposes whereas if caught and temporarily held in the flood-control reservoirs much of it might be beneficially used for irrigation without interference with adequate flood control.

It is, of course, important that your conferences with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Soil Conservation Service, and the Division of Forestry, organizations engaged in related studies in that area show that neither conflicts nor overlapping work will result. In this connection a plan for the construction of a regulatory limited storage dam at White Narrows on the Muddy River above the railroad station of Moapa which was designed by the Office of Indian Affairs and the Nevada State engineer a few years ago, the principal purpose of which was to eliminate a very old controversy between Indians and whites over water allocation, distribution, and use will, in our opinion, be rendered even more beneficial than originally planned if constructed subsequent to this flood-control

program.

We are very favorably impressed with the extensive and thorough hydrological studies which constitute a large section of the report. It seems that all existing data on the area has been exhaustively investigated and evaluated by your engineers before their conclusions were drawn therefrom and the theoretical project floods were calculated.

We are of the opinion that this hydrological work is a permanent contribu tion of much value to southern Nevada.

In conclusion, we fully endorse and approve your report, and hope that it may be presented to Congress without delay.

Yours very truly,

ALFRED MERRITT SMITH, State Engineer.

MARTINS CREEK, PARADISE VALLEY, HUMBOLDT COUNTY, NEV.

Senator MCCARRAN. Now, Mr. Chairman, flash floods rising in the drainage basin of Martins Creek result in damage to crops, agricultural property, and irrigation works in Paradise Valley, Humboldt County, Nev. Martins Creek is a tributary of Little Humboldt River which formerly joined the Humboldt River near Winnemucca, Nev., but now is cut off there from by sand dunes at the lower end of the valley. The principal economic activity in Paradise Valley is the raisng of feeder cattle. About 20 ranches and 200 persons are located in the valley.

The maximum flood of record on Martins Creek, which occurred on January 21, 1943, was caused by heavy rainfall on a relatively snow

free basin. The peak discharge from the flood was 9,000 cubic feet per second in a channel whose capacity is only 3,000 cubic feet per second. The flood problem in Paradise Valley was considered in a report on survey, Humboldt River and tributaries, prepared by the corps of engineers, which will be submitted to Congress in the near future. Although no project for Paradise Valley was found feasible for inclusion in this report local interests have requested a restudy in order to consider factors that they believe might justify an improvement. In view of the request by local interests and the serious flood problem existing in Paradise Valley, a preliminary examination and survey is believed to be warranted at this time.

And, Mr. Chairman, in lieu of my bill 1215 I offer an amendment. I ask the insertion of an amendment to H. R. 5472 under section 205 to add the following preliminary examination and survey-"Humboldt River and tributaries at and in the vicinity of Paradise Valley, Humboldt County, Nev."

I offer that amendment, Mr. Chairman, for the record.

Senator MCCLELLAN. Let it be filed with the clerk and we will consider it when we mark up the bill. The corps of engineers has a statement on this item.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION AND SURVEY OF LITTLE HUMBOLDT RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES IN PARADise Valley, NEV.

Flash floods rising in the draining basin of Martins Creek result in damage to crops, agricultural property, and irrigation works in Paradise Valley, Humboldt County, Nev. Martins Creek is a tributary of Little Humboldt River which formerly joined the Humboldt River near Winnemucca, Nev., but now is cut off therefrom by sand dunes at the lower end of the valley. The principal economic activity in Paradise Valley is the raising of feeder cattle. About 20 ranches and 200 persons are located in the valley.

The maximum flood of record on Martins Creek, which occurred on January 21, 1943, was caused by heavy rainfall on a relatively snow-free basin. The peak discharge from this flood was 9,000 cubic feet per second in a channel whose capacity is only 3,000 cubic feet per second.

The flood problem in Paradise Valley was considered in a report on survey, Humboldt River and tributaries, prepared by the Corps of Engineers, which will be submitted to Congress in the near future. Although no project for Paradise Valley was found feasible for inclusion in this report local interests have re quested a restudy in order to consider factors that they believe might justify in improvement. In view of the request by local interests and the serious flood problem existing in Paradise Valley, a preliminary examination and survey is believed to be warranted at this time.

GLEASON CREEK, ROBINSON WATERSHED, ELY, WHITE PINE COUNTY, NEV.

Senator MCCLELLAN. Do you want to speak on S. 1200?

Senator MCCARRAN. Yes. May S. 1200 be inserted in the record at this point?

Senator MCCLELLAN. It may.

(S. 1200 is as follows:)

[S. 1200, 81st Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL Authorizing a preliminary examination and survey of Gleason Creek, Robinson watershed, at and in the vicinity of Ely, White Pine County, Nevada

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Army is authoriz--| and directed to cause a preliminary examination and survey to be made of

Gleason Creek, Robinson watershed, at and in the vicinity of Ely, White Pine County, Nevada, for flood control and other purposes. The cost of the examination and survey authorized by this Act shall be paid from appropriations heretofore or hereafter made for examinations, surveys, and contingencies for flood control.

Senator MCCARRAN. Now, Gleason watershed, White Pine County, Nev., is a tributary of Duck Creek. It is a closed watershed which does not contribute run-off to any major river basin.

A severe flood problem is caused principally by flash floods moving at high velocity in Gleason Creek and at and in the vicinity of Ely, Nev. The residential and business property, and roadways, in Ely are subject to damage from these floods. The agricultural lands vital to the economy of this area are also in the flood plain and are frequently damaged.

The Corps of Engineers has made no previous investigation of the flood problem in this area, and no structures for flood control have heen constructed by the Federal Government.

The cost of a preliminary examination is estimated at $4,000.

In view of the severe nature of the floods on Gleason Creek at and in the vicinity of Ely, it is believed that a preliminary examination for flood control is warranted at this time.

Mr. Chairman, to your omnibus bill, H. R. 5472, I offer and request the insertion of the following amendment: Under section 205 in H. R. 5472 change the language on page 29, lines 12 and 13, to read as follows: "Gleason Creek, Robinson watershed at and in the vicinity of Ely, White Pine County, Nev."

I especially draw your attention to the words "at and in" as a change from the bill. And that is in conformity to my bill S. 1200. I think that is all, Mr. Chairman, that I have to offer at this time. Thank you for the opportunity.

Senator MCCLELLAN. When we mark up your bill the committee will consider your request. The statement of the Corps of Engineers will be included at this point.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION AND SURVEY OF GLEASON CREEK. NEV.

Gleason Creek and Robinson watershed, White Pine County, Nev., are tributaries of Duck Creek, a closed watershed which does not contribute run-off to any major river basin. A severe flood problem, caused principally by flash foods moving at high velocities, exists on Gleason Creek at and in the vicinity Ely, Nev. Residential and business property and roadways in Ely are subject to damage from these floods. Agricultural lands, vital to the economy of this area, are also in the flood plain and frequently damaged. The Corps of Engis has made no previous investigation of the flood problem in this area and the structures for flood control have been constructed by the Federal Government. The cost of a preliminary examination is estimated at $4.000. In view of the *vere nature of floods on Gleason Creek at and in the vicinity of Ely, it is bebeved that a preliminary examination for flood control is warranted at this

time.

Senator MCCARRAN. Thank you.

Senator MALONE. Mr. Chairman, I would like to request, as long as there is a project in Nevada, the Muddy River project, which has been reported favorably by the Army engineers, Chief of Staff, and Chief of Army Engineers, has been approved by the Governor of

Nevada, but was late getting to the budget, I think it is necessary for this committee to request it be sent directly to the committee. I request that the committee request the Army engineers to send the report to the committee.

Senator MCCLELLAN. I do not know whether they send those reports directly to the committee. Can you advise me whether you send those reports to a committee prior to the budget approval, Colonel? Colonel GEE. Only on call from the committee, sir.

it.

Senator MCCLELLAN. All right, then the committee will request

Colonel GEE. Yes, sir.

Senator MCCLELLAN. We will now hear Senator Lodge on his bills.

[S. 253, 81st Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL To provide for a comprehensive survey to promote the development of hydroelectric power, flood control, and other improvements on the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers and such other rivers in the New England States where improvements are feasible

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Chief of Engineers, under the direction of the Secretary of the Army, and the Federal Power Commission are jointly hereby authorized and directed to make a complete and comprehensive examination, survey, or other investigation as, in their opinion, may be required, of the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers, together with their tributaries and watersheds, and such other rivers in the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut whereon power develop ment appears feasible and practicable, with a view to the formulations of plans for the most effective and efficient improvement of such streams for the purposes of hydroelectric power development and the prosecution of such improve ment in combination with the development of navigation, the control of floods, the needs of irrigation, reforestation, the conservation of soil and other natural resources, the control of water pollution, and the establishment of recreational facilities. The Chief of Engineers and the Federal Power Commission are further jointly hereby directed to report to Congress as soon as practicable the results of such examination and survey, together with such recommendations as they may deem advisable.

SEC. 2. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

STATEMENT OF HON. HENRY CABOT LODGE, JR., UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS

Senator LODGE. I want to make a brief statement about S. 259, which is a bill I have introduced calling for the appropriation of funds for a complete, comprehensive survey of the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers, together with their tributaries and watersheds, and other rivers in the New England States having possibilities for power. flood control, and other development.

One of the principal purposes of this survey by the Army engineers and the Federal Power Commission is to determine the full potentialities of these rivers as sources of sorely needed and reasonably priced hydroelectric power for New England farmers, manufacturers and home owners. The trend of industrial concerns to move awa from New England to other sections of the country makes this study especially vital.

Citizens of New England are required to contribute millions of dollars for low-cost hydroelectric projects on the rivers of the South,

West, and Northwest. It is only fair that the people of New England share in the benefits of such policies.

This bill calls for a study of New England rivers from the point of view of improving flood-control measures. The recent flash floods in the Berkshires-the hills and mountains in the western part of the State-caused millions of dollars of unnecessary waste and damage in addition to the tragic loss of life. Action should be started immediately to protect this area from future calamities of this type. Another factor which this bill takes into consideration is the problem of water pollution. We have these fine rivers in New England which in many areas constitute a menace to healthy living conditions because of pollution. Moreover, pollution prevents development of these rivers for recreational purposes. There are many areas which would provide splendid, beautiful recreational facilities for citizens living in nearby cities and towns-swimming, boating, fishing, and picnicking. Solving the pollution problem would mean much to residents of these areas for that reason alone.

The joint Engineer and Power Commission survey authorized in my bill is modeled on existing river and harbor legislation under which official action on the TVA and other power projects was initiated in 1926. This bill also includes such other important subsidiary matters as improvement of navigation, reforestation, and soil conservation.

I would like to say, Mr. Chairman, that the counterpart of this bill has been introduced in the House by Representative Furcolo, of Massachusetts, thereby giving the bill a completely nonpartisan character. Mr. Chairman, we have here today from Massachusetts gentlemen who would like to make brief statements on this.

We have Mr. Truman Safford, representing the New England Council, and Mr. Paul E. Seymour, president of the District Council No. 2, United Electrical Radio, and Machine Workers.

There is another brief bill pending here for preliminary survey for the deepening of Sesuit Harbor in Dennis, Mass. The three selectmen of the town of Dennis are here: Mr. Clarence M. Nickerson, Mr. Earl M. Davidson, and Mr. Frederick R. Eldridge, Jr.; as well as Mr. Robert B. MacKinnon who is civil engineer of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, Division of Waterways. I would like to request they be given a chance to be heard today since they have come down here for this purpose.

Senator MCCLELLAN. You would like to have these two bills incorporated as an amendment to the omnibus bill that we anticipate is coming over from the House?

Senator LODGE. That is right.

Senator MCCLELLAN. We will undertake to hear all of you gentlethen now if you will be comparatively brief.

Senator LODGE. I think the gentlemen will be very brief.

Mr. Safford, just state your name for the reporter.

STATEMENT OF TRUMAN H. SAFFORD, REPRESENTING THE NEW ENGLAND COUNCIL

Mr. SAFFORD. I am Truman H. Safford, of Boston, Mass., representing the New England Council.