Evening star., 1949-04-10
Rivers and Harbors
Congress, in FIareup
Over Tideland Issue
By Nelson IA. Shepard

BY Nelson M. Shepord
An unexpected fiareup over a
resolution that committed the
National Rivers and Harbors Con-
sress to a policy of favoring State
ownership OF oil-rich tidal lands
threatened the harmony of the
seth annual convention In its
closing hours yesterday.
The congress. however, quickly
put down a one-man revolt staged
by Midwest delegate and then
voted Endorsement Of a 1856, ,704.-
100 waterways program Of eight
projects. These projects, the re-
porting committee had found
Sound in conception and need
ful."
Another resolution adopted by
the convention at the Mayfiower
Hotel session commended" the
Reclamation Bureau of the Inter-
ior Department, whose director
Michael Straus. has been under
fire in Congress to the extent
that his pay has been held up
since February !. It's work In re-
claiming the arid and semi-arid
land in II Western States, the re-
port stated, emphasized the ne
cessity for continued effort.
Overwhelming Vote.
Frank Bartlett. a. Detroit city
official, jumped to his feet when
the resolution was called UP that
put the group on the opposite side
Of the fence from the Federal
Government in the fight over tide
lands. For q while, 1t appeared
others might join In the revolt
but the resolution was carried
by an overwhelming vote.
The Rivers and Harbors Con-
gress acted to protect national in
terests in approving legislation
that would reserve submerged
lands and their resources to the
respective states. Such legisla-
ton. it contended. should give the
United States the paramount
right to continue with improve
ments authorized now and in the
future for national defense, navi-
cation and flood control in the
area of tidelands.
Chief among the eight projects
Endorsed was the huge Central
Valley irrigation flood control and
hydroelectric power program in
California for which $40. 1000 900
is being asked to complete 1t. AL
ready Congress has appropriated
and authorized 100000 900 for
the project. .
Next in size is the Overton
Lateral Red River Canal in
Louisiana for which the Congress
Is asking $67. 200, 900 towards COM
pletion. Other projects include
the $66,000,000 Tennessee Tom
bigee Inland Waterway in Missis-
sippi, the Intracoastal Waterway
from Miami to Key West, in
Florida; the Passaic IN. JJ Valley
Flood Control project, the Great
River Flood Control project in
Washington. a waterway from
Stuart to Fort Myers in Florida.
and a development on the Qua.
cS1ita River In Arkansas and
Louisiana.
SO Proposals Studied.
The. committee considered 80
proposals in various stages Of
planning but deferred action on
all but the eight 1t indorsed.
Engineering investigations Of the
remaining projects were encour-
aged.
A resolution dealing with ap-
propriations for the development
of water resources and removal
of flood threats warned that these
are not matters Ito be put off
pending a recession or depres-
SION" On the contrary, 1t stated.
such improvements should be
made as rapidly as possible 80
as to contribute their part to-
ward continued prosperity and a
high standard of living in Amer
lea"
Other resolutions included in
dorsements of hydroelectric power
development, abatement of stream
pollution. soil conservation, the
creation Of additional Federal re-
sional or valley authorities, and
support of the Merchant Marine.
The congress voted confidence
IN Maj. Gen. Lewis A. Pick, newly
appointed Chief Of Army Engi-
neers, and declared that economy
and efficiency In Government re-
organization is desirable.
It warned that 1t did not believe
that grouping the major con-
struction activities Of our Nation.
including the civil functions Of
the Corps of Engineers, In one
agency will accomplish this"
Shipping Support Asked.
During earlier discussions on
the Merchant Marine, Frazer A.
Bailey, president Of the National
Federation Of American Shipping
Inc, demanded more support If
cur shipping is not to suffer dis
astrously in the next few years..
Mr.. Bailey also declared the toll
rates of the Panama Canal should
be adjusted so that the interest
charge is borne by national de-
tense, which was one OF the
primary objectives IN its con-
struetion." Fortunately. he said,
Congress has authorized an in
ouiry into the whole matter OF
Panama Canal tolls, a revision OF
which he believed, would relieve
the economic burden on our in
tercoastal services.
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat,
of Arkansas, president OF the
Rivers and Harbors Congress and
other executive officers were re-
elected.
9-Year.0Id Boy 10 Head