Senator BARTLETT. Mr. Barer has a question. Mr. BARER. If the bill S. 2247 should remain in amendment to section 1104, would you have any objections to exclusionary language as follows: "Excepting vessels engaged solely in the transportation of property on inland rivers and canals, exclusively." That is the same exception in section 509. Mr. WHITEHEAD. We would have no objection to that. Mr. BARER. That would provide you the same limitations in 509, and you would be prohibited in applying for direct construction Mr. WHITEHEAD. I think that perhaps that would be best, because it would further announce our intention of not announcing for aid. May I point out one other thing to the committee, which is in our files? When the chairman read the letter from the Department of Transportation today, I have in my files clippings from the New York Times, May 2, 1967, reporting on the Secretary of Transportation's testimony before this committee on May 1, and I'm sure the chairman recalls the New York Times report that he concluded his testimony by, in effect, saying that the Administration did not have an overall program at that time, and the New York Times quotes Mr. Boyd as saying, "I confess to being exhausted in all but one category, patience." But the important thing is the following quote from the New York Times article. The New York Times says, during the interview, Mr. Boyd said there was nothing to prevent Congress from attempting to implement the ship policy changes. Quite to the contrary, I think, of what was stated in this letter that you read today, and that is in effect what we are asking for in this case, and I think it should be brought to mind once more that in asking for this legislation, we are not asking Congress to pass on the economic feasibility of this program, but only to make it possible for the experts in the Maritime Administration to pass on it. Senator BARTLETT. There will be inserted in the record at the end of this day's hearing a letter from Bartholomew J. Turecamo, endorsing S. 2247. Since you have referred once more, Mr. Whitehead, to that letter, from the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Transportation, I am obliged to reiterate that the language which I quoted from that letter is the most puzzling that has come to my attention in I don't know how long. Here the Congress has been waiting; at first, patiently, and then impatiently, for a comprehensive maritime program from the administration. Long since promised. We have been waiting, although at various times individual Members of the Congress, in the House and Senate, have publicly stated that if the administration did not propose a program, we should be obliged to, the point being, as we saw it, not only to the decline of the American merchant marine but perhaps its expiration. And to have the Department of Transportation, on October 19, inform Chairman Magnuson that there was opposition to the bill that your are testifying to now, or you three gentlemen, because it represents an approach to maritime solutions in a piecemeal manner just bowls me over. I have been on this subcommittee ever since I came to the Senate in January 1959, and it is true that everything we have done from necessity has been on a piecemeal approach, and we don't like this. We think it is becoming nonsensical, that there ought to be an overall policy to reinvigorate the American merchant marine, and capable of doing so, and for my part, as one individual Member of the Congress, I have about lost my patience, and I lose it a lot quicker when I read this kind of a statement, saying don't do things bit by bit, wait for an overall policy. Wait we shall not, I assure you of that, but as we proceed in what the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Transportation terms a "piecemeal manner" we probably will, in the absence of the submission of the program from the administration, have to move on our own. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you very much. Mr. WHITEHEAD. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (Whereupon, at 12 noon, the meeting was adjourned.) (The letters previously referred to and others submitted for the record follow:) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reply to your request for our comments on a letter to you from Mr. H. J. Hvide of the Port Everglades Towing Co. Mr. Hvide in his letter and the accompanying memorandum discusses the economics of tug and barge transportation; states that we have a proposal for legislation to reduce the required downpayment on tugs and barges from 25 to 122 percent for purposes of mortgage insurance under title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936; states that he has discussed this proposal with Mr. Lowell Bridwell, Deputy Under Secretary for Transportation, who he says agrees with it; and requests your help in obtaining this amendment. We agree that tugs and barges are an efficient method of transportation. We have initiated the proposal for legislation which Mr. Hvide mentions. This proposal has cleared the Department of Commerce and is now pending in the Bureau of the Budget. We hope to receive clearance of the proposal by the Bureau of the Budget in the near future. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. J. W. GULICK, Acting Maritime Administrator. THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ASSOCIATION, GENTLEMEN: It is my understanding that your Committee has scheduled hearings on October 20 on S. 2211 and related bills concerned with financing the passenger vessel Delta Queen. This is to advise you that the Mississippi Valley Association supports this legislation. The Delta Queen is the last passenger vessel with overnight accommodations operating on our Nation's inland waterways. Since the present vessel must cease operation next year it is imperative that a replacement vessel be constructed if a last vestige of the "steamboat era" which played such an important part in the development of this nation is to remain as an outstanding example for the benefit of future generations. We urge your support of legislation which will make it possible to replace this historic vessel. Respectfully yours, E. MICHAEL CASSADY, Hon. E. L. BARTLETT, TURECAMO COASTAL & HARBOR TOWING CORP., Subcommittee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Senate Commerce Committee, DEAR SENATOR BARTLETT: We wish to go on record as being in favor of your bill S2247. In our opinion this Bill will prove very beneficial to the Merchant Marine Industry. Very truly yours, BARTHOLOMEW J. TURECAMO, President. OHIO VALLEY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC., Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 17, 1967. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This Association, founded in 1895, is dedicated to the economic, industrial, social and recreational development of the Ohio River Valley, particularly through more effective use and development of the Basin's water resources. Its membership is broadly representative of civic, cultural, industrial, agricultural, water transportation, commercial and financial interests throughout the Ohio Valley. The River boat Delta Queen plying the Ohio-Mississippi System is the last of the old river stern-wheelers in passenger service. Its summer cruises have been a source of pleasure to thousands of persons from all parts of our country, affording them a unique opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauties of our great rivers and to share fully in the lore and beauty of the rich American tradition of leisurely river travel. It is necessary, as you know, that to comply with existing safety regulations the Delta Queen be reconstructed by November 1, 1968. S. 2211 is designed to permit the financing of that reconstruction on terms within reach of the owners. Its early enactment is essential to provide sufficient lead time to meet this deadline. We think it is of the utmost importance to preserve the recreational, educational and aesthetic values afforded by the Delta Queen in the complex, urbanized world of modern America where opportunities for meaningful participation in our great national traditions are rapidly diminishing. Accordingly, we strongly urge early enactment of such legislation, and respectfully request that this letter be included in the printed record of the hearings. Sincerely, HARRY M. MACK, Chairman of the Executive Committee. О |