EXHIBIT 7 Letter and Telegram to Secretary of the Interior Hon. FREDERICK A. SEATON, Secretary of the Interior, FEBRUARY 10, 1958. Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. SECRETARY: Enclosed is a copy of a news release on the subject of having an accelerated reclamation construction program ready to go in the event unemployment in western areas continues to become an even greater menace to the stability of the economy of this area. As you probably recall, I was a WPA director for New Mexico during the thirties and that experience impressed on me the necessity for preparedness for action programs in the event of emergencies to provide employment on worthy public works projects. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation of the Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, I am initiating a survey and analysis of reclamation developments that can be gotten underway promptly in the 17 Western States, particularly in sensitive labor unemployment areas. Preliminary to this survey, I am asking the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Agriculture to spot those particular areas in the West where unemployment already exists and where there are indications of an increasing number of workers to be out of jobs. Your cooperation, through the Bureau of Reclamation, is requested in furnishing me information in tabular form with narrative explanation in the categories indicated with respect to reclamation construction which contributes to permanent economic stability and makes repayments, directly and indirectly, to the Federal Treasury as follows: 1. Projects authorized and under construction, together with (a) available and (b) additional funds required to accelerate work with forecast of additional employment on-site and off-site possible. Current employment should be indicated. 2. Projects authorized (a) where plans and specifications are available or underway and (b) the funds required to get work underway; and (c) employment potentials on-site and off-site. 3. Projects where field investigations have progressed to a point that immediate authorization proposals are feasible, together with estimates of funds required and employment potentials on-site and off-site. The data should include in the several categories not only conventional irrigation and multiple-purpose projects under the reclamation law, but rehabilitation and betterment proposals and small project developments under a loan program. In each instance, the on-site employment potentials are a material factor. The material should be prepared without regard to current budg etary considerations or the timing of requests for funds. Benefitcost ratios should be given, and it may be informative to indicate funds that would be required to speed up investigations, design and specification work, as well as what amounts would be immediately needed. Estimated total project costs in addition to annual requirements for first, second, and third years might be tabulated. Where authorization of projects is pending, these should be treated in the third category set forth above. I am sure you will appreciate the urgency of expediting the preparation of this information and issues appropriate instructions for at least prelimininary data to be in my hands by February 17. Refinements may follow with narrative details. As I have indicated, the Department of Labor and the Department of Agriculture are being requested to furnish information as to current and potential sensitive employment areas in the West by February 17. Their information will be correlated with the reclamation employment potentials. Sincerely, CLINTON P. ANDERSON, Chairman, Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation. Copy to Mr. Dominy, Bureau of Reclamation. SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS, FREDERICK A. SEATON, February 26, 1958. Secretary of the Interior, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.: Confirming telephone conversation with my secretary, please refer to my letter of February 10 to you requesting data on an accelerated reclamation program by February 17. On February 14, Acting Secretary Chilson advised me material was being assembled and would be forwarded "as soon as possible. Will appreciate very much your having this material forwarded to me by messenger with advice as to when I may expect it. CLINTON P. ANDERSON, Chairman, Subcommittee on Irrigation and Reclamation, Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. NOTE. The responses to the foregoing letter and telegram did not contain any suggestion as to how the reclamation construction program could be accelerated. The list of projects submitted by the Department are included in exhibit 1-A together with the amounts in the regular budget estimates for fiscal year 1959. |