The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1948-06-17
With Hal Holmes In Congress 80.
Flood Relief

Flood Relief
The series of floods culminat-
ing in the disastrous overflow IN
the Columbia River Basin has TO-
cused> attention of Government
officials in Washington, D. G. on
the need for emergency rellef
and, as well, long range pro.
gram for flood control. The Chlef
of Engineers of the Army has
funds for immediate emergency
flood relief and also funds avail
able and authority to repair le-
wees that have been washed out.
All available facilities of the Ar
my, Navy, or coast guard are
now engaged in relief work. The
Reconstruction Finance Corpora
ton has $22,000,000 available Tor
loans at $50 under fairly broad
authority but has no authority
to make any grants. Under the
Highway Act of 1914, the Public
Roads Administration is author
lied to grant funds through the
State Highway Departments for
repair of disaster damaged high
ways, streets, or bridges, when
they are located on the Federal
aid primary or secondary system.
Approximately 100000 is avail
able for allotment under this pro-
vision on a $3.50 matching basis.
The Farmers Home Administra-
ton has authority to make loans
where damages to farm property
have occurred and will have
about 1,400, 900 additional funds
available after the first OF July.
The American Red Cross has
made funds available and sent IN
a great number Of people to help
in the distressed areas.
Bills have been introduced in
the House and Senate to make
evailable $75,000,00 to Federal
Works Agency for use in the re-
Mobilization of public works. A
bill has also been introduced to
make available SIS, 100000 thru
the Department Of Agriculture
for agricultural relief. An ap-
preparation OF $4,000, 900 for i'm
mediate use in the Columbia Riv-
er Basin area is also before the
House Appropriations Committee
to be used for emergency relief
repairs. Under the flood control
bill passed by the House, $685.
900, 900 emergency fund was au-
thorized for the repair, restora-
ton, and strengthening Of levees
and other flood control works
which have been threatened or
destroyed by recent floods. This
measure is now being considered
by the Senate. Every possible
step has been taken by the Fede-
raj Government to help out in
those areas where so much SUI
fering and loss has been caused
by the unprecedented floods In
the Pacific Northwest.
Potato Shipments: Director J.
M. johnson, Of the Office Of De-
tense Transportation, has advised
me that General Permit 39-A
authorizes a $4,000 pound mimi
mum loading Of carload ship
ments Of new fresh harvested
Irish potatoes from the State OF
washington until July I, 1913.
This same regulation will remain
in effect after July LIST unless the
refrigerator car supply becomes
so limited as to require heavier
loading in order to handle the
shipments. This ruling was
brought about through facts pre-
scnted by me to the Director on
the losses sustained by reason OF
heavier shipments OF early po-
tatoes during the past.
Improvement In Hsll's Canyon
Snake River: The Office OF the
Division Engineer, Army Corps OF
Engineers, in Portland, Oregon
has announced that the proposed
dam and reservoir Improvement
on the Snake River in Hen's
Canyon has been investigated and
planned as part Of the compre-
hensive coordinated development
of the Columbia River Basin and
the report is favorable. This fav-
orable report is Of particular sig
nificance at this time because OF
the value of this Improvement in
flood control. The project is plan
ned to consist primarily of con-