tions, believing that they were not conservative enough, and that actually the catch would not be as great as estimated, as indicated in their letter from which I have read an extract into the record. I would like to say, Mr. Chairman, that it is and has always been the policy of the Corps of Engineers, before construction starts, to reexamine the project to determine whether or not there has been a material change since the report was originally written or the project was authorized. If we find that the economics do not justify the project at that time, then we do not construct it. So, I can assure you that the requirements and suggestions of the Bureau of the Budget would be definitely met by the Corps of Engineers, if and when this project is authorized and funds appropriated. Mr. ANGELL. Thank you, Colonel. Are there any questions from members of the committee? (No response.) Mr. ANGELL. If not we will hear from Congressman Forand on this project. STATEMENT OF HON. AIME J. FORAND, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND—Resumed Mr. FORAND. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On that particular project I can tell you that the estimates of the Corps of Engineers as to the commercial fishing figures need to be revised. They will show there has been quite an improvement. I have with me here Mr. Michael F. Rogers who is chairman of the Sakonnet Point Harbor Committee of Little Compton, R. I. He will make a brief statement following me that I think will prove this point. But there is another point that I believe should be stressed. That is, Sakonnet Harbor should really be made a harbor or refuge because it is in that lane between Newport and New Bedford. Because of the heavy congestion of ships and boats of all kinds in the area it would be rendering a service to the Navy if a lot of these small craft that are now out in the outer harbor, would come inside the harbor. This they would do if anchorage were available. The Governor and the director of public works, Mr. Mancini, both wired me urging that I present this case to the committee as forcefully as I can. I will not use a great many words but will say on the basis of what you have been told, plus what Mr. Rogers will tell you, that I sincerely hope you can take favorable action. Mr. ANGELL. Thank you, Congressman. Mr. FORAND. With your permission I would like to call Mr. Rogers. Mr. ANGELL. You may do so. Will you state your name, please, for the purpose of the record? STATEMENT OF MICHAEL F. ROGERS, CHAIRMAN OF THE SAKONNET POINT HARBOR COMMITTEE OF LITTLE COMPTON, R. I. Mr. ROGERS. Michael F. Rogers of Little Compton, R. I. Mr. ANGELL. Mr. Rogers, you are chairman of the Sakonnet Point Harbor Committee? Mr. ROGERS. That is correct. Mr. ANGELL. You may proceed. Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am Michael F. Rogers, chairman of the Sakonnet Point Harbor Committee, of Little Compton, R. I. On behalf of my organization I want to thank this committee for the consideration it is giving to the Sakonnet River project which is so important to our people. To save the time of the committee and with your permission I shall submit a brief for printing in the record of these hearings and shall confine my oral testimony to a brief statement of additional facts which I feel the committee should have. Mr. Chairman, since the 1949 hearings held at Little Compton by the Army engineers, the local interests have shown their willingness to cooperate with the Federal Government in this project, and have spent nearly $100,000 on improvements and added landing facilities. To cite but a few: The Point Trap Co. has doubled its fish-landing facilities—its wharves, trucking area, and traps, at a cost of $65,000. A new wharf completed last fall enables the company to operate two shifts while the heavy fish runs are in season, thus making it possible to pull its traps twice a day, instead of once a day as in the past. This increases the fish yield. The Wilcox Co. has increased its landing wharf by 40 percent. The F-o-c-s-le Co. has built two new wharves for lobster trawling, handline and sport fishermen. At these new wharves fresh water is available for the boats and small craft can take on supplies and gasoline when the fishing wharves are congested. This same company has increased its retail capacity and is now preparing plans for new railway facilities in Sakonnet Harbor. These will be submitted to the Army engineers and other appropriate agencies in the near future. At the time of the 1949 hearings our committee was thinking only in terms of commercial fishing, but since that time, as the clouds of war gradually lifted, we have noticed a decided increase in pleasure boating in the area. This is now a fast growing industry. Sakonnet Harbor is so located that it is an ideal place for small pleasure craft, allowing them to be out of the way of the Navy congestion around Newport and saving them the long run to New Bedford. As automobiles need roads and bridges, boats need anchorage and shelter and supply bases. We believe that this project is in the national interest. First, for the safety of the persons involved; and, second, for the protection of shipping; and, I might add, third, I am sure all you men are aware that Rhode Island has been declared a labor surplus area, and we need jobs. By improving Sakonnet Harbor the Federal Government would make it possible for us to further develop both our fishing and boating activities and thus provide more jobs for our people. Your favorable action on this project would be appreciated. I might add that in this memorandum of the 1949 hearing it contains detailed information as to damages and also photographs and photostat copies of letters we received from the associations of fishermen and fish companies urging the improvement of Sakonnet Harbor. This is the only copy that the harbor committee has left. If there is any member of the committee who would like to view this I would be 1 only to glad to show it to them, or airmail you that, but I must take it back with me. Mr. ANGELL. If the committee later desires to have access to it they will communicate with Mr. Forand. Are there any questions? (No response.) Mr. ANGELL. Thank you. Mr. FORAND. Mr. Chairman, we thank you very much for your consideration of us. Colonel MILNE. May I make one further statement on this project, Mr. Chairman? Mr. ANGELL. You may, Colonel. Colonel MILNE. The document provides that local interests contribute $18,700 in cash for the cost of construction; furnish free of cost to the United States all lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for the initial work and for subsequent maintenance when and if required; and hold and save the United States free from damages due to construction and maintenance of the project. The basis of the $18,700 cash contribution by local interests was the degree of local benefits that we considered the project would bring to the area. Mr. ANGELL. Is that taking into consideration the recreational benefits? Colonel MILNE. Yes, sir. There were some recreational benefits. What we would like to have understood is that $18,700 should not be considered a firm figure, but should vary in accordance with the cost. In other words, it should be fixed when we actually get into the process of construction. So, with your permission, if we could insert language into the bill to bring that point out I think it would be well to do so. Mr. ANGELL. I think the committee would be glad to have you do that, Colonel. Mr. FORAND. If I may say a word there, Mr. Chairman? Judging by the telegrams I received both from the Governor and our director of public works in the State, I think we will meet that condition. Thank you. Mr. ANGELL. Without objection the telegrams mentioned by Mr. Forand, and any additional statement he may desire to make will be inserted in the record. (The documents referred to are as follows:) AIME J. FORAND, Congressman, EAST PROVIDENCE, R. I., January 31, 1954. House Office Building, Washington, D. C.: Dr. Ernest McVay will represent Narragansett Terrace Boat Club Wednesday, February 3, Rivers and Harbors Committee regarding Bullocks Cove project. Understand Mr. J. J. Reilley, president, East Providence Town Council, will also attend. Many thanks for your splendid cooperation. Hon. AIME J. FORAND, House of Representatives: LEROY W. CHACE. PROVIDENCE, R. I. February 2, 1954. Re hearing by House Public Works Committee February 3, 1954, the Rhode Island Department of Public Works urges favorable consideration by the House Committee on Public Works of the improvements proposed and recommended for Bullocks Point Cove, R. I., by the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, as outlined in House Document 242, 83d Congress, 2d session. The proposed Bullocks Cove project is of vital interest and concern to large numbers of boatowners, yarding interests, and owners of adjacent waterfront property. The widespread support given to the proposed plan of improvement is a matter of record and we urge the acceleration of whatever further action may be required to bring the execution of this project to an early realization. PHILIP S. MANCINI, Director, Rhode Island Department of Public Works. PROVIDENCE, R. I., February 2, 1954. Hon. AIME J. FORAND, House of Representatives: Have wired House Committee on Public Works asking approval Sakonnet Harbor and Bullocks Point Cove projects. Urge your strong support. Hon. AIME J. FORAND, House of Representatives: DENNIS J. ROBERTS, Governor of Rhode Island. PROVIDENCE, R. I., February 2, 1954. We endorse and urge your approval of House Document 242 Dredging of Bullocks Cove in Riverside. RIVERSIDE BUSINESSMEN'S ASSOCIATION, Corresponding Secretary. PROVIDENCE, R. I., February 2, 1954. Hon. AIME J. FORAND, House of Representatives: Re hearing by House Public Works Committee February 3, 1954, the value and need of Saconnet Harbor as a harbor of refuge cannot be overemphasized. The improvements proposed for the anchorage represent a vital necessity to the local area and its people. We urge upon you to give this worthy project your speedy approval to the end that construction work may get underway at an early date. PHILIP S. MANCINI, Director, Rhode Island Department of Public Works. WESTPORT HARBOR AND SAUGATUCK RIVER, Conn. Mr. ANGELL. We will take up the next project, which we passed over a moment ago. That is Westport Harbor and Saugatuck River, Conn. Congressman Sadlak and Congressman Morano are interested in that project but I understand neither of them is here. However, the secretary of Mr. Morano is here. STATEMENT OF JOHN BAXTER, SECRETARY TO REPRESENTATIVE ALBERT P. MORANO Mr. BAXTER. I am John Baxter, Mr. Morano's secretary. Mr. Morano is at another committee meeting and could not be here, but he directed me to ask this committee to consider this brief statement in connection with Westport Harbor, in which he outlined that he requests favorable consideration for the project, and outlined its aid to recreation, and the benefits to a small number of commercial fishermen, and to general commerce. He also pointed out in the statement that the town of Westport is willing to contribute 25 percent of the initial cost of construction, and also agreed to furnish the spoil and disposal areas, and to furnish an open area in the upper end of the improvement. He also requests permission to make part of the record these telegrams, including one from the first selectman of Westport. Mr. ANGELL. The documents may be received in the record without objection. (The statement and telegrams are as follows:) STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN ALBERT P. MORANO I wish to urge this committee to consider the project of Westport Harbor and Saugatuck River which is outlined in a report of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors. This project will result in (1) aid to recreational boating; (2) benefits will also come to a small number of commercial fishermen and to general commerce; (3) there will be benefits also to commercial shipping and to the fishing industry. The town of Westport is willing to contribute 25 percent of the initial cost of construction and has also agreed to furnish the spoil-disposal areas and to furnish an open area in the upper end of the improvement. I urge favorable consideration. WESTPORT, CONN., February 3, 1954. Representative ALBERT P. MORANO, 133 Old House Building: Urge your support of project recommended by Corps of Engineers to deepen channel in Saugatuck River at Westport, Conn. Hearing in House of Representatives today. W. CLARKE CROSSMAN, WESTPORT, CONN., February 3, 1954. ALBERT P. MORANO, House of Representatives: Please support Saugatuck River project. I am a commercial user of the waterways. ALBERT P. MORANO, House of Representatives: ALBERT J. RIPPE. WESTPORT, CONN., February 3, 1954. Please support the bill including the Saugatuck River project. It is important to my business. SCHMIDT BOATYARD WESTPORT, CONN., February 3, 1954. CONGRESSMAN ALBERT P. MORANO, House of Representatives Office Building: Please support bill, including Saugatuck River improvement project. URANA CLARKE. Mr. ANGELL. Do you have any further witnesses to testify at this time? Mr. BAXTER. No, sir. Thank you. |