The CHAIRMAN. What is the amount? Colonel WEST. It was $3,000,000, sir. The CHAIRMAN. What is the cost of the project? The CHAIRMAN. You received $3,000,000 for the initiation of the project? Colonel WEST. We received $3,000,000, sir. The CHAIRMAN. What you are doing now is making plans for the construction of the project? Colonel WEST. More than that. We are actually working on the project. The CHAIRMAN. You are preparing to let contracts on that project? Colonel WEST. We have let contracts, sir. The CHAIRMAN. How do the bids and the prices compare with what you anticipated? Colonel WEST. Do you mean on this particular job? The CHAIRMAN. I am talking about this particular project alone. Colonel WEST. They were very favorable. In fact, the prices were under our estimates, I believe, with but one exception. The CHAIRMAN. Have you submitted your schedule of labor to the War Board here, and has it been approved on that project? Colonel WEST. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. How does that compare with the prewar costs? Colonel WEST. It ran approximately 25 percent higher. The CHAIRMAN. Is that 25 percent for labor? Colonel WEST. No, sir; that 25 percent represents an increase for all work under contract. The CHAIRMAN. I asked that because in all these projects now if the cost is going to be materially increased the taxpayer is footing the bill. These public works are fine to have on the shelf so that when there is unemployment you are ready to go. That project was approved in what act? Colonel WEST. It was approved initially in the act of 1936. The CHAIRMAN. Was it modified subsequently? Colonel WEST. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. So it is approved in the act of 1936? Colonel WEST. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. In that region, what other reservoirs have been constructed? Colonel WEST. Loyalhanna, which is close to Conemaugh. The CHAIRMAN. At what approximate cost? Colonel WEST. As I recall, it was about $5,300,000, sir. The CHAIRMAN. What other projects do you have? Colonel WEST. We have Crooked Creek, which cost about $3,900,000. We also have Mahoning Creek. The CHAIRMAN. What was the cost? Colonel WEST. About $5,100,000, sir. The CHAIRMAN. The only one under way at the present time is Conemaugh? Colonel WEST. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Are there any more? Colonel WEST. We have the Youghiogheny Reservoir above Pittsburgh and in addition to that the Tygart River Reservoir authorized under a rivers and harbors act. The CHAIRMAN. Have you any others? Colonel WEST. That is all at the present time, sir. The CHAIRMAN. What amount has been spent for local flood protection for Pittsburgh? Colonel WEST. Nothing whatever, sir. The CHAIRMAN. You have built no flood walls there? Colonel WEST. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. What would you say the aggregate amount is for Pittsburgh? Colonel WEST. Local protection works for Pittsburgh are estimated at $18,000,000, and reservoirs completed or under construction including Tygart, are estimated at about $82,500,000. The CHAIRMAN. What does the Conemaugh protect? Colonel WEST. It protects Pittsburgh essentially. It also provides protection for the Conemaugh-Kiskiminetas Valley, Allegheny Valley, and the upper Ohio region. The CHAIRMAN. The area protected is the industrial area of Pittsburgh, and how far is it above Pittsburgh? Colonel WEST. It is about 65 miles, sir. The CHAIRMAN. How much power is to be generated there? The CHAIRMAN. I believe we have covered this pretty well. You have heard the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers that no further work can be done there unless there are additional appropriations. I believe we understand that fairly well. What are the points you wish to give us, Mr. Greene? STATEMENT OF DR. JAMES H. GREENE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE The CHAIRMAN. Have you a prepared statement, Mr. Greene? The CHAIRMAN. You may present the statement for the record and discuss the high points. (The statement referred to is as follows:) STATEMENT OF JAMES H. GREENE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF PITTSBURGH, IN SUPPORT OF CERTAIN FLOOD-CONTROL PROJECTS BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FLOOD CONTROL, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1946 Gentlemen, my name is James H. Greene. I am the executive vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburgh, an organization composed of some 2,500 industrial and commercial organizations in the Pittsburgh district. Our organization has authorized me to appear in behalf of certain specific flood-control projects which are included in the authorized and recommended program of the United States Army engineers and which has been or will be presented to your committee. Flood damage, real and potential, is perhaps the most serious threat to the contribution which the Pittsburgh district has made and is making to the national economy. During the flood of 1936, the Pittsburgh flood-damage district sustained a flood loss of $93,000,000 according to reports of the United States Army engineers. Furthermore, this potential threat has made it difficult, if not impossible, for us to utilize industrial sites, strategically located along our rivers. We are mindful of and grateful for the splendid and complete flood-control program which the United States Army engineers have prepared and recommended, and your committee and the Congress have authorized. We are desirous of seeing this program pushed to completion as rapidly as possible, which is the reason for my appearance before you. 1. THE CONEMAUGH RIVER RESERVOIR We have been advised by the district engineer that they are making more rapid progress in this project than was anticipated, and if an additional appropriation of $1, 600,000 is recommended by your committee and passed by the Congress, it will save a year in the time necessary to complete this reservoir. Based on the figures for the 1936 flood, this reservoir will add practically as much flood protection as the six reservoirs already completed and in operation. We are, therefore, especially desirous that you act favorably upon this request. It is estimated that if the Conemaugh Reservoir had been in operation during the 1936 flood it would have reduced the flood crest by 4.5 feet. This amount of $1,600,000 additional is to be broken down as follows: Increased work on 4 grading contracts for Pennsylvania R. R. relocation $320, 000 Bridge superstructure for the railroad relocation and for the fabrication of sluice gates for the dam-- Total 1,280, 000 1,600,000 We respectfully urge that you recommend an additional appropriation of $1,600,000 to be expended by the engineers in the 1947 fiscal year. 2. ALLEGHENY RIVER RESERVOIR This is a reservoir on the upper Allegheny River above Warren, Pa., of a gross capacity of 1,125,000 acre-feet for the purpose of flood control with incidental industrial and domestic water supply in the Allegheny and Ohio River Valleys. The reservoir would supplement the six completed reservoirs and the Conemaugh River Reservoir, now under construction, in the Ohio River Basin above Pittsburgh. It would further reduce a recurrence of the maximum flood of record (March 1936) (46-foot stage at Pittsburgh) and the maximum flood of reasonably expectancy (50.6 feet at Pittsburgh). Flood stage at Pittsburgh is 25 feet. About the same reductions would also result at Wheeling, W. Va. Incidental benefits, according to the reports of the Army engineers, would include increasing and regularizing the flow of water, thereby benefiting navigation by decreasing the differential between high and low stages and by increased dilution decreasing stream pollution. We take this opportunity of bringing this most important project to the attention of your committee and respectfully urge the Congress, through your committee, to provide funds for this project at the earliest possible date. 3. EAST BRANCH, CLARION RIVER, PA, This project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of December 22, 1944, as a unit of the general comprehensive plan for flood control and other purposes in the Ohio River Basin. It consists of a reservoir of gross capacity of 83,700 acre-feet on the East Branch of the Clarion River, designed for flood control. It will incidentally improve the water supply of Ridgway and Johnsonburg, Pa. In connection with the treatment of waste and sewage at these two towns, now made mandatory by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is pointed out by the Army engineers' report that this regulation by dilution will materially alleviate the grossly polluted condition of the entire Clarion River, which is a tributary of the Allegheny River above the source of water supply for Pittsburgh, Pa. This project is of especial interest to the Pittsburgh district, and we take this opportunity to bring it to your attention again, and respectfully urge that the Congress provide the necessary funds to begin the work. 4. TURTLE CREEK, PA. Authorized by the Flood Control Act of December 22, 1944, as a unit of the general comprehensive plan for flood control and other purposes in the Ohio River Basin. Consists of a reservoir on Turtle Creek above Pitcairn, Pa., of gross capacity of 29,600 acre-feet for flood control with incidental industrial water for the highly developed lower reach of Turtle Creek Valley. The reservoir would control the discharge of about 37 percent of the basin and thereby very materially reduce the flood hazard in the highly developed lower valley. It would supplement the downstream flood-gate project of the Westinghouse Electric Corp. on Turtle Creek for exclusion of backwater floods originating in the Monongahela River. We respectfully urge that at the earliest possible date the Congress will make an appropriation for this project. 5. WEST FORK RIVER, W. Va. Authorized by the Food Control Act of June 28, 1938, amended by the Flood Control Acts of August 18, 1941, and December 22, 1944, as a unit of the general comprehensive plan for flood control and other purposes in the Ohio River Basin. Consists of a reservoir located on the West Fork River above Clarksburg, W. Va., of gross capacity of 62,500 acre-feet for flood control with incidental domestic and industrial water supply, in the West Fork River Valley, Monongahela River Valley and upper Ohio River Valley. The reservoir would supplement the six existing flood-control reservoirs and the Conemaugh River Reservoir, now under construction, above Pittsburgh, Pa. It would result in a further reduction of the recurrence of the maximum flood of record (March 1936, 46-foot stage at Pittsburgh) and the maximum flood of reasonable expectancy (50.6 foot at Pittsburgh). The effect of the reservoir would be about the same at Wheeling, W. Va. We respectfully request that your committee make the necessary recommendations to the Congress so that funds may be appropriated to start this project. CITY OF PITTSBURGH, PA., April 9, 1946. Dr. JAMES H. GREENE, DEAR DR. GREENE: I have read the testimony you propose to give before the House Committee on Flood Control, and I subscribe fully thereto. You may inform the members of the committee that on this matter you speak for the city of Pittsburgh, as well as for the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. As the mayor of Pittsburgh, I am glad that you will present our views on this very important matter, and I sincerely hope that the committee will realize the importance of flood control to this great industrial city. DEAR DR. GREENE: The Board of Commissioners of Allegheny County concurs in the position of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce relative to the necessity of completing the flood-control plans in the Pittsburgh district, and we are very glad to have you represent us at a hearing before the House Committee on Flood Control to be held Wednesday, April 10, 1946. Very truly yours, BOARD OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, GEORGE RANKIN, Jr. 87116-46- 20 JOHN S. HERRON, Members. Mr. GREENE. I would like to see the $1,600,000 advance made, because we will save a year in getting the project finished. The CHAIRMAN. That same thing is true with respect to practically every other project in the United States. You may continue. Mr. GREENE. With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I have been authorized by the Mayor of Pittsburgh, the chairman of the county board of commisisoners, and there are letters attached to this statement attesting to that fact, but they have also requested me to call attention to four other projects that are in this basin, which have been authorized. The first is the Allegheny River Reservoir, north of Pittsburgh. The CHAIRMAN. That has not been started? Colonel WEST. No, sir; it has not. Mr. GREENE. The second is the East Branch of the Clarion River. That has not been started. We are especially interested in that because it has certain incidental benefits in addition to flood control. It will help us with our water transportation, and also our industrial and domestic water supply. The next is the Turtle Creek Reservoir, which is a small reservoir. There are flood gates which Westinghouse has put in and it is a good deal like the project you were talking about at Cincinnati. In addition, we have the protection down below from the backwaters from the Monongahela. We want some protection at the headwaters. The last, Mr. Chairman, is the West Fork River in West Virginia, which will supplement the flood-control features of the Conemaugh. I have been asked to call the attention of this committee to those five matters and I have this prepared brief. The CHAIRMAN. We are glad to have your statement, sir. You have made a statement with respect to the Conemaugh, particularly, to the effect that if there is an additional appropriation, that not only the project may be completed more expeditiously but at an economy to the Government. Is that your statement? Mr. GREENE. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Is that what you have in mind? Mr. GREENE. We have sustained a flood loss in that district of $93,000,000, and every year we can cut off the possibility of its being repeated we think is a good investment, not alone for the district but for the country as a whole. (Discussion off the record.) The CHAIRMAN. We are very glad to have your statement, Mr. Greene. What projects are there, Colonel West, with respect to Louisville, incomplete or unauthorized, that have not been placed under way? Colonel WEST. Do you mean projects at the city of Louisville? The CHAIRMAN. Yes. Colonel WEST. We had an original appropriation for that project but the appropriation was withdrawn before any expenditures were made because of a letter from the Director of the Bureau of the Budget to the Secretary of War stating that those funds should be placed in budgetary reserve, as that project had not been approved by the President as of important value to the national defense. The CHAIRMAN. At present you have an authorized project for the protection of Louisville, but you do not have the money. Colonel WEST. That is right. We need the money very badly. |
