FLOOD CONTROL TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1940 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C. The committee met, pursuant to adjournment, at 10 a. m., Hon. Will M. Whittington (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will be in order, please. Under the schedule, Senators and Representatives are to be heard this morning, and some Member of the House spoke to me yesterday-I do not recall who it was at this time-and said he would have to attend an executive session of his committee this morning at 10 o'clock. I do not see him here now. Mr. Rankin also would like to get away to attend another meeting. Those are the Members of Congress who have spoken to me and said they had other engagements. Mr. Rankin, we will be glad to hear at you this time. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN E. RANKIN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Mr. RANKIN. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee: I will only take a few minutes of the committee's time. I want to urge the committee that it increase the authorization above the $300,000 a year for general flood-control projects. In my opinion it ought to be a hundred times that amount $30,000,000. It is about the best money the Government is spending. The CHAIRMAN. Pardon me, Mr. Rankin, the matter you have in mind is the provision of the act of 1937 as subsequently amended to authorize the Congress to appropriate $300,000 annually for clearing streams of debris and for improvements of navigable rivers and tributaries on which authorizations have been made? Mr. RANKIN. Yes. Now I said in my opinion it should be 100 times that amnout. It ought to be $30,000,000 a year. The people living in the interior on small rivers and their tributaries have literally been drowned for the last few years. Under this authorization we have been able to take this money in small amounts and use it to sponsor a policy for local flood-control work and get assistance from the W. P. A. to furnish the labor. I live on the Tombigbee River, and from my viewpoint it has been very badly neglected, with the result that millions of dollars that have been spent by the local people for drainage and flood control is being lost because the streams are filling up as the result of the failure of a proper outlet to the main streams, and proper care and maintenance on the main stream also. If we can get a sufficient amount allotted for work of this kind, we can get the streams opened up and save the work that has already been done besides all of the work that has been done by the W. P. A. One of the most satisfactory things of this flood control is, in the first place, it is under the fine supervision of the Army engineers and it is felt they are doing a work that will be of benefit not only to the community in which these people live but will be of lasting benefit to the entire area and to the entire Nation. So, I hope the committee will raise that amount sufficiently to give ample authorization to enable the people along these smaller streams to secure proper protection from these disastrous flood waters that have destroyed not only the towns and cities and homes, and human lives, but invariably the crops on these streams, every year. I do not care to take the time of the committee in discussing that phase of the legislation but I am extremely interested in it, and I hope you will give us something like $30,000,000. If we can get a reasonable amount allotted so the Army engineers can supervise this work and employ the proper machinery we can put men to work, as we have been putting men to work under the W. P. A., and as I said, bring about lasting developments, probably worth more than under any other program we could have. The CHAIRMAN. We are glad to have your statement, Mr. Rankin. Are there any questions by members of the committee? If not we thank you, Mr. Rankin. Mr. RANKIN. Thank you. WINOOSKI RIVER PROJECT STATEMENT OF HON. WARREN R. AUSTIN, A UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF VERMONT The CHAIRMAN. Senator Austin, the committee will be glad to hear you at this time. Senator AUSTIN. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am particularly interested in the project that is covered by document 656, not as yet finally printed. I have the proof of it before me. It relates to that part of the Winooski River project just above Bolton Gorge, below Waterbury, a village in the State of Vermont where the State institution for the insane is located, and a description of the area particularly which will be benefited by the project approved by the Army engineers is very particularly set forth in the report. You will notice the real reason for favoring this development immediately is the humane one which is evidenced by the loss of life in the flood of 1927 during which there was a very high loss of life and cattle and horses and things of that sort. So, Mr. Chairman, I am particularly interested and assure the committee that the people of Waterbury, who have telephoned me and written me of their willingness to conform to this part of the report, of the favorable report of the Army engineers, and I am reading from page 3 of the report signed by Maj. Gen. J. L. Schley, Chief of Engineers, in which he states [reading]: Accordingly, I recommend construction of local works for the protection of Waterbury, Vermont, at an estimated first cost to the United States of $888,000, subject to the provision that responsible local interests give assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of War that they will provide, without cost to the United States, all lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for construction of the project, hold and save the United States free from claims for damages due to the construction works and maintain and operate all the works after completion in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of War. Now, I have here a letter, which I would like the privilege of inserting in the record, from Thomas H. Barry, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Waterbury, Vt., transmitting to me a resolution of the chamber. They are not definite insofar as reference to the report is concerned, because they did not have this report before them. I assume, in making my statement, that they will be expected to follow, if it is required, that statement with some sort of a written obligation that will carry into effect this recommendation or condition of local responsibility. The CHAIRMAN. You may file that for the record. (The statement referred to follows:) Senator WARREN R. AUSTIN, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Waterbury, Vt., April 6, 1940. DEAR SENATOR AUSTIN: Inclosed find copy of resolutions drawn up at a recent meeting of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce in connection with proposed flood control measures as outlined in the report of the U. S. Engineers, Board of Rivers and Harbors. Despite flood protection resulting from flood detention reservoirs constructed at Wrightsville, East Barre, and Little River (Waterbury) a serious local problem exists. The situation is very well explained in the copy of the report submitted to the Secretary of War which I am inclosing. We are happy to announce that spring floods have not proved a menace this year, as yet. We have suffered from high water on three or four different occasions in the last few years, particularly in 1936 and 1938. Your quick response in replying to our communication is greatly appreciated and we are pleased to note that you will advocate Winooski River project on Tuesday, April 9th. Sincerely yours, THOMAS H. BARRY, Secretary. Whereas the Chamber of Commerce of the town of Waterbury represents the business, social and private interests of the inhabitants of the town of Waterbury; and Whereas the Winooski River, which flows through the town of Waterbury and does periodically overflow its banks, and spread into the residential and business areas of the town of Waterbury; and Whereas the State of Vermont maintains the Vermont State Hospital for the Insane in the town of Waterbury, which said institution is also in the area inundated by the seasonal flooding by the Winooski River; and Whereas the farms abutting on the Winooski River are suffering from erosion by reason of overflow; and Whereas the State of Vermont has in the flooded area property of an estimated value of $1,800,000; and Whereas the private and business property located in this area has an estimated value of $4,500,000; and Whereas the population, including the inmates of the State institution, in this flooded area is estimated at 3,000 persons; and Whereas the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors rendered its report to the United States War Department, under date of February 27, 1940, recommending construction of local works for the protection of Waterbury, Vt., as printed in House Document No. 656, Seventy-sixth Congress, third session, and herein referred to; Now therefore, the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce, in meeting assembled, hereby resolve: 1. That all local interests represented by the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce, private and business in nature, realizing the need of protection from the flooding of Waterbury by the Winooski River, hereby unanimously endorse the recom mendation of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors as outlined in House Document No. 656, Seventy-sixth Congress, third session: 2. That the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce lend its full support to, and cooperate with the Federal Government in securing this project. Senator AUSTIN. Mr. Chairman, I would like also to insert in the record a telegram I have received this morning from the directors of the Vermont Farm Bureau in support of this same project, but it also asked for broadening out of the provisions for Vermont to cover this project and other projects. (The telegram referred to reads as follows:) Senator WARREN AUSTIN, Washington, D. C.: MONTPELIER, VT., April 9, 1940. Vermont Farm Bureau directors in meeting today desire you obtain provision in rivers and harbors bill for a Federal appropriation up to 1 million to be matched by State funds if State power authority is set up for study and development of water resources, preferably not restricted to Winooski Valley, but if such restriction absolutely necessary we would accept it. A. H. PACKARD. Senator AUSTIN. There are two other projects in which we are very much interested, and they are the Hoosic River, which flows through the southwest corner of Vermont, and which has committed considerable damage, and Otter Creek, near Rutland. I know there are others here who will speak more particularly for them. The CHAIRMAN. Senator, may I ask, the town of Waterbury is on the Winooski River? Senator AUSTIN. It is on the Winooski River, yes. The CHAIRMAN. And how far from Montpelier is Waterbury? The CHAIRMAN. In going from Montpelier to Burlington you pass through Waterbury? Senator AUSTIN. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. And how far is the Winooski Reservoir above the town of Waterbury? Senator AUSTIN. You are now referring to the dams both on Little River The CHAIRMAN. Yes; there are several dams built in that section. Senator AUSTIN. It is not above as you go upstream on the Winooski, it is not above the village of Waterbury, but the Little River comes from an easterly source and the mouth or outlet of that Little River comes in below Waterbury. The danger is always greatly aggravated by the backing up of this water in flood time from the Bolton Gorge; the water of Little River augments the water in the main stream. The CHAIRMAN. Now have any reservoirs been constructed on the Winooski above Waterbury? Senator AUSTIN. We have two. The CHAIRMAN. What are their names? Senator AUSTIN. One is at Wrightsville, on the North Branch, and The CHAIRMAN. What is the extent of the cost? Senator AUSTIN. Probably about that. Those are not under floodcontrol legislation, however. They were W. P. A. activities that came on early because we had these plans all through before the first relief measure was passed, and General Johnson at that time was able to pick the State of Vermont as a place to which he could move people and put them to work on these projects. The CHAIRMAN. And fortunately that work has been done by the Army engineers. Senator AUSTIN. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. I have seen those reservoirs in going over the area from Montpelier to Burlington. Senator, we are glad to have your statement. This matter has been under discussion in the hearings we have had when representatives of the Engineers of the Army have appeared in behalf of the Winooski projects for the protection of Waterbury, and we also had testimony in connection with the Hoosic River and Otter Creek at Rutland, Vt. Senator AUSTIN. Yes; we are very much interested in those. The CHAIRMAN. Any questions by members of the committee? We are glad to have had your statement, Senator. Senator AUSTIN. Thank you. MERRIMACK RIVER BASIN STATEMENT OF HON. EDITH NOURSE ROGERS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS The CHAIRMAN. Mrs. Rogers, we will be pleased to hear you. Mrs. ROGERS. Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen of the committee, I am very much interested in flood control in the Merrimack River Basin, as the committee knows. I wish to thank the chairman and the committee for their past courtesy. The district engineer of the War Department at Boston, Mass., has recently completed his detailed survey of the Merrimack River Basin and has submitted his survey report to the division engineer, North Atlantic Division, who is now reviewing it. This investigation and report were made in accordance with an authorization by Congress contained in the River and Harbor Act approved June 20, 1938. The reports of the division and district engineers will be forwarded to the Chief of Engineers within the next few weeks. They will then be reviewed by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, as required by law. After the Chief of Engineers receives the Board's recommendations he will give the entire report his own consideration and will then forward it to Congress with the recommendations of the Department. Although the recommendations of the War Department regarding possible modifications of the existing project for flood control in the Merrimack River Basin will not become available until the survey report is submitted to Congress, there are certain very important additional items of work that should be undertaken without delay. It is urgent that the protection works which have already been constructed at Lowell, Mass., be augmented by earth levees, concrete flood walls, and appurtenant structures, along portions of the left bank of the Merrimack River and up Beaver Brook to complete the 229579-40-54 |