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4938 as an economic and safety measure to meet the requirements of the larger present-day oceangoing ships.

We also recognize the importance of such improvements in these waters in relation to our national-security program.

Powerplants in this area provide 79 percent of all the steam-generating capacity in the State and all fuel for these plants is brought in by water transportation. Other plants receive large shipments of fuel oil and coal, which are distributed from here throughout New Hampshire and to other States. These are real factors in the contribution of New England to the economy of the Nation. We endorse this bill as urgently needed and as economically sound legislation. Sincerely yours,

Hon. HOMER D. ANGELL,

F. M. EATON, President.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
Dover, N. H., July 14, 1953.

Chairman, Subcommittee on Rivers and Harbors, Public Works Committee, United States House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.

SIR: The Dover (N. H.) Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the improvement of Portsmouth Harbor, N. H., and the Piscataqua River, as proposed by H. R. 4938, introduced by Representative Chester E. Merrow, New Hampshire, and favors the passage of the bill.

This bill provides authorization for the improvement of Portsmouth Harbor and the Piscataqua River by dredging and by the removal of obstacles to navigation in these waters. This improvement will in effect make the waters of the harbor and river a deepwater port and will greatly improve the economy, not only of Portsmouth and southeastern New Hampshire but the entire State of New Hampshire as well.

There are two plans involved in the bill-plans A and B-and the Dover Chamber of Commerce believes that greater benefits will derive to the area by the acceptance and adoption of both plans.

The extension of dredging operations and the improvement in these waters as provided by plan B will make available more sites for industrial development. The many advantages which would result through opening up the possibilities of waterfront industrial development are inestimable, but are all favorable to the economy of this entire section of New England.

The proposed improvement to the harbor and the river will be far-reaching because shipment of various commodities by water will prove advantageous. The savings in fuel costs alone to the consumer will amount to a considerable sum due to the cheaper rates of transportation afforded by water carriers.

In appreciation of the benefits to local economy resulting from development of waterfront resources, the Dover Chamber of Commerce strongly urges the favorable consideration and acceptance of H. R. 4938 as introduced by Representative Chester E. Merrow, New Hampshire.

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DEAR AL: After having read Document No. 566, House of Representatives, 82d Congress, 2d session, I find that I am in agreement with plan A as are the interested proponents from the State of New Hampshire.

It will be a distinct and necessary improvement and asset to our State if the Committee on Public Works and the Congress acts favorably in our behalf. We are behind this action wholeheartedly.

Sincerely yours,

DANIEL F. ENEGUESS,

Executive Secretary.

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PLATE I

39263 - 54 vol. 1 (Face p. 86)

Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. Mr. Merrow, can you include in the record at some place whether the local communities and the State would make any financial contribution toward the cost of this improvement? Mr. MERROW. I would be glad to do so.

Mr. AUCHINCLOSS. I do not mean now, but if it could be inserted in the record.

Mr. MERROW. I think that will be discussed in a moment by one of the witnesses we have with us this morning.

Our next witness is Mr. Robert C. Violette, city manager of Portsmouth.

Mr. ANGELL. We will be very glad to hear you, Mr. Violette.

STATEMENT OF ROBERT C. VIOLETTE, CITY MANAGER.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H.

Mr. VIOLETTE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.

I have a letter here to the chairman which I would like to read at the present time:

Hon. HOMER D. ANGELL,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Rivers and Harbors,

Public Works Committee, House of Representatives,

JULY 16, 1953.

Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: The Portsmouth City Council, through its representative, Robert C. Violette, city manager, would like to be recorded as favoring passage of bill H. R. 4938 for the improvement of the Portsmouth Harbor.

At the present time there is much activity in the harbor due to the location of the Sprague Coal Co., various oil terminals, and the Portsmouth Naval Base. With the improvement of the harbor it is hoped that industries may be induced to locate on our shore.

Very truly yours,

THEODORE R. BUTLER, Mayor.

Now, I would like to add my personal statement. I do not know of anyone in the Portsmouth area who has objected to the development of the harbor. We fully realize and are aware of the conditions of the harbor at the present time as being very hazardous and expensive. So in the name of the entire constituency of the area, we humbly urge you to pass favorably on the bill H. R. 4938. Thank you.

Mr. ANGELL. We are glad to have you appear before us.

Are there any questions by members of the committee? If not, we thank you for your statement.

Mr. MERROW. Mr. Chairman, my colleague, Congressman Cotton, would like to file a statement for the record. He said he would have it in the hands of the committee over the weekend, and I would like to have your permission for him to do that, if that is possible.

Mr. ANGELL. Without objection, that will be the order of the committee.

Mr. MERROW. Thank you.

Our next witness is Mr. John Pillsbury, who is chairman of the New Hampshire State Planning and Development Commission. Mr. ANGELL. We will be glad to hear you, Mr. Pillsbury.

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