The CHAIRMAN. How far are you from Fredericksburg?
Mr. BROWN. Twenty miles.
The CHAIRMAN. We are glad to have had your statement.
Any other proponents or opponents of this project present?

STATEMENT BY DONALD WALKER, CULPEPER, VA.

Mr. WALKER. I am one of the parties that would be flooded, rather than helped, by this, and I just want to say that I think that when we are to be heard at a later date, that we can show a very different pic

ture.

The CHAIRMAN. We are always interested in pictures.

Any other opponents or proponents?

I am inserting for the record a resolution by the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, Richmond, Va., signed by Mr. Verbon E. Kemp, executive secretary, and a resolution by the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce, Roanoke, Va., signed by Mr. B. F. Moomaw, Secretary.

Whereas the Federal Government proposes the development of multipurpose dams including power generation in connection with certain Virginia rivers in competition with private industry; and

Whereas the multipurpose dams contemplated and proposed involve permanent inundation of whole towns and large areas of productive farm lands, highways, schools, churches, graveyards, railroads, all of which will have a major effect on the entire State economy; and

Whereas it seems unwise for the Federal Government to spend large sums of money for power generation and transmission facilities when it is operating on a deficit budget, and at a time when all available labor and materials are urgently needed for veterans' housing and reconversion; and

Whereas we are unalterably opposed to any form of Government competition with the business and the industry of its citizens under any guise whatsoever; and Whereas flood control dams can be built for a fraction of the cost of multipurpose dams and would involve only periodic flooding of small land areas: Now, therefore,

We respectfully request the United States Government to defer approval of any flood control dams involving power generation in Virginia until the facts concerning the individual projects, including the various flood control methods and the effects on the State economy, are widely publicized so that the citizens may be informed and given ample opportunity to express their views.

The official action of the executive committee of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, attested by

VERBON E. KEMP, Executive Secretary.

RESOLUTION OPPOSING GOVERNMENT COMPETITION WITH PRIVATE INDUSTRY PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF ELECTRIC POWER

(Authorized and approved by the directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Roanoke, Va., November 29, 1945)

Whereas the Federal Government proposes the development of power and flood control projects in connection with certain Virginia streams in competition with private industry and effecting large areas in which cities and towns are located;

and

Whereas a recommendation made by the State planning board has been ap proved by the Governor of the State of Virginia to conduct a comprehensive study of eight river basins in this State with the view of determining the possibility of their full development; and

Whereas for a numebr of years the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce has gone on record as opposed to any form of government competition with the business and the industry of its citizens under any guise whatsoever and in particular has repeatedly opposed any form of government competition with private industry in the field of electric power: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce concurs in the recommendation made by the State planning board and approved by the Governor of the State of Virginia to conduct a comprehensive study of certain river basins in the Commonwealth to determine the possibility of their full development so far as flood control is concerned; be it further

Resolved, That the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce hereby reaffirms its opposition to any form of government competition with the business and industry of the citizens and in particular in the field of electric power and specifically the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the Federal Government development of power projects on and along the Roanoke River and its tributaries in competition with private industry; be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce notify Virginia's representatives in Congress, the Governor of the State of Virginia, the State planning board and other chambers of commerce in this State of this action. Attest:

B. F. MOOMAW, Secretary.

FLOOD-CONTROL BILL OF 1946

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1946

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMITTEE ON FLOOD CONTROL,

Washington, D. C.

The committee met at 10 a. m., pursuant to notice, Hon. Will M. Whittington (chairman) presiding.

The CHAIRMAN. The committee will be in order.

RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER—(continued)

The CHAIRMAN. At a former hearing the Fredericksburg project was reported, and we had the statement of the Chief of Engineers and we had statements from the mayor of Fredericksburg and others. Representative Howard Smith asked that witnesses be heard whose names he would furnish the committee at a later date. Subsequent to that hearing the chairman had stated that that was the only reservoir in Virginia that was under consideration. A report was submitted by the Chief of Engineers covering the reservoirs on the Jackson River, tributary of the James River, on Thursday, before the hearings were concluded on Friday, the 18th. The Representative from the district, and proponents, after matter had been submitted by the Chief of Engineers, were heard, and others were notified previously that that project had not been submitted and that they, if they desired, would be heard.

So this meeting is first to hear the witnesses in connection with the Rappahannock River, the Fredericksburg project, submitted by Representative Howard Smith, and any proponents of the matter in response. That will be followed by statements of the opponents of the Jackson River Reservoir, as I call it, and by proponents of that project. Mr. Smith, you will arrange now to present the witnesses.

STATEMENT BY HON. HOWARD W. SMITH, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF VIRGINIA

Mr. SMITH. I Would like to make a brief preliminary statement before calling the witnesses.

The CHAIRMAN. We will be glad to have your statement.

Mr. SMITH. I would like to have it understood that the people in the upper reaches who are here to express their apprehension about the effect of this dam are not in opposition to flood control for Fredericksburg and the lower reaches of the river. We are equally inter-ested in obtaining flood control for Fredericksburg, but we do not want to be in the position of having flood control for Fredericksburg and

having those flood areas transferred from there up into our part of the country and inundating our towns and farms.

I have, through the kindness of Colonel Bird, had an opportunity to examine the maps as to the territory that will be permanently flooded, and it takes a considerable area of the most productive farming lands that we have in lower Culpeper and the county of Fauquier. That disturbs us. We are, however, particularly disturbed by the anticipation of what will happen in flood times hereafter. These maps show what will be permanently flooded by these dams.

As I said, we are particularly disturbed by the prospect in flood times. When water is backed up in that dam it is going to flood a great deal of additional territory, and we are apprehensive that it will inundate the town of Remington. Now, Remington is an important town, with a population of probably 1,000, with a considerable amount of business, and it has in the past been flooded by high waters.

These maps, as far as I can ascertain, do not show the effect that this dam will have upon those outlying areas that are not flooded in normal times by the dam, but perhaps will be flooded if this dam is constructed in flood times.

Now, of course, that is a very grave proposition for my people, Mr. Chairman, and we want to know just what is going to happen to us by this dam.

Now, we want to cooperate with the Fredericksburg people, and we want to see them protected against floods, but we are going to fight to the last ditch to keep from being flooded ourselves. I want to make that perfectly clear at this time.

The CHAIRMAN. I do not recall the direct question as to Remington. I had recollection that the testimony did not show any towns or villages. would be flooded. I was wondering if you recall the statement of the Chief of Engineers in that regard.

Mr. SMITH. That is the problem I have been trying to bring home to the chairman, namely, that we are not going to be flooded in the town of Remington by the dam itself in normal times, but we are very apprehensive that we will be flooded to the extent of about 8 feet, I am told, in the town of Remington. That whole town will be flooded.

The CHAIRMAN. I understand your statement. Of course, in normal times Fredericksburg would not be flooded, but the reservoir often behind dams does flood towns and the communities, and they have to be moved sometimes.

Mr. SMITH. That is what we are apprehensive about.

The CHAIRMAN. I did not recall Remington was flooded.

Mr. SMITH. If there is any contemplation that the result of this thing will be to move the town of Remington, then we are going to try to do something about it, Mr. Chairman.

We had hoped that it would be possible by lowering the height of this dam to accomplish two purposes: One is to avoid the danger I speak of, of flooding other territories in floodtime, and also afford adequate flood protection for the city of Fredericksburg.

I am told that since this question has arisen, the Governor, who had previously endorsed this project, has sent his planning man to that area to look into that question. I do not know whether he is here today or not. If he is here it is Mr. Long-I hope the chairman will hear him.