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move the spoiled foods in freezers of a restaurant because the canal bridge leading to the building had been washed away.

Many were the problems and very great was the damage caused by flood waters. It is a very difficult job to try to say that the flood cost the Borough of New Hope so many dollars. The indirect costs and damage are impossible to estimate.

I am sorry to say that I know little about the findings of the Hoover Commission and the recommendations they have made.

In my own humble opinion, and again I say that I do not feel qualified to speak with any authority, I feel that the development of water controls should be financed by the States that are involved and who would benefit. New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, together with the financial support and subsidy of the Federal Government, should be able to support some kind of a plan that I am sure could be devised by the great engineers of our country. Certainly, I feel that some kind of action is necessary.

I just want to point out that the interest of the average individual is not too much in the findings of the Hoover Commission-that he knows more about what actually happened to him and if he had been in on the cleanup and just seeing the damage that was done and the condition that people were in-all I want to do is express my idea that we do need flood control.

Mr. JONES. You are a pretty good witness.

Mr. ICELOW. There is a set of pictures there. (The pictures referred to follow :)

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Mr. LIPSCOMB. Mr. Chairman, can we insert the letter that he received inviting him to appear before the subcommittee--a copy of it? Mr. ICELOW. Do you want that?

Mr. JONES. A copy will go in. You keep that.

Thank you very much, Mr. Icelow. We are glad to have you today. You have made a most impressive statement. (Letter to Robert P. Icelow follows:)

Mr. ROBERT P. ICELOW,

New Hope, Pa.

SEPTEMBER 12, 1955.

DEAR MR. ICELOW: This will confirm our telephone conversation of September 11.

Our subcommittee will hold hearings at the Pocono Manor in Mount Pocono on September 21 and 22 and we should very much like to hear you on the 22d. The hearings will commence at 10 a. m., but I am not certain as to just when we can work you in.

We should appreciate a complete story of the flood as you know it from personal experience. It would be helpful if you could give as much background information as possible with respect to the history and development of the Delaware in your area and of the water problems relating thereto. Any local color or incidents which will help to give the committee a more graphic picture of what happened will be appreciated. Any knowledge you have of plans which have been formulated in the past which might have alleviated damage from the flood should also be furnished to the committee, together with any plans for future projects which might alleviate damage from floods occurring hereafter. It is the function of the committee to study the so-called Hoover Commission report and submit the results of our studies to Congress. The hearings are being held for that purpose. If you are familiar with that Commission report and are in a position to express your opinion as to the effect of the recommendations contained in that report on future flood control and other water activities in the Delaware Valley, that would be helpful. If you are not in such a position, that will be satisfactory, but the committee would be interested in your

opinion as to how any future flood control or other water projects might be financed.

As I told you, Mr. Morris L. Cooke, of Center Bridge, referred me to you. He spoke most highly of the work you have done. You might wish to check with him in connection with the preparation of your testimony as he has had much experience in this field.

It would be helpful if you could furnish the committee with a copy of your statement in advance. If you are in a position to prepare a written statement, it is not necessary that you do so, but it would be helpful. You can make the statement just as long as you desire. The more complete it is the more helpful' it will be. At the hearing, you can either read your statement or testify as to the highlights of it. Here again you may have as much time as you desire. If you were to send us a copy of your statement, we could have it duplicated if you so desire, so that there would be enough copies for the members of the committee and to be distributed to the representatives of the press who will be present at the hearing.

I am looking forward to seeing you at the hearing.

Sincerely,

WILLIAM C. WISE, Staff Director.

Our next witness is Mr. Russell Paetzell.

Mr. PAETZELL. I have a short paper I would like to read.

Mr. JONES. Fine. Do you have any extra copies?

Mr. PAETZELL. Yes; I have.

Mr. JONES. Would you be good enough to hand one to the reporter? STATEMENT OF RUSSELL PAETZELL, SUPERVISOR, DELAWARE RIVER CANAL, UPPER BLACK EDDY, PA.

Mr. PAETZELL. I am supervisor of the Delaware Canal, which is under the control of the department of forests and waters, the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters. This is also known as the Roosevelt State Park. I live at Upper Black Eddy, one of the towns that was badly hit by the flood.

This canal was built in 1827 to 1832 by the State of Pennsylvania and was used as a carrier of coal, iron, and other products until 1932. At its peak there were 2,700 barges carrying goods to the eastern part of the country. The towns along this valley grew up with the canal and depended on it for their livelihood. In 1940 this canal: was taken over by the State and has been developed as a recreation area. The canal parallels the Delaware River from Easton to Bristol. On Thursday, August 13, Hurricane Connie came, swelling all the streams in this area. On August 18, Hurricane Diane came and brought the great flood. On Thursday evening, the 18th, all the men on the canal were alerted and had control of all flood gates. The river started rising immediately. By Friday afternoon all roads were closed between Easton and Yardley. By Friday midnight the river had risen to 15 feet above the towpath at Easton and at various points along the way from 5 to 15 feet above the towpath.

Destruction started when houses broke loose in the upriver sections and began to pile against bridges. This chain action followed through the canal, taking one bridge after another. This took down two important bridges. As these houses and bridges and other accumulated debris came down the canal right-of-way, the scarifying action took out sections of the towpath bank to a depth of 12 feet in many places. Other places were filled in with thousands of yards of sand and gravel. At least 10 flood gates will have to be rebuilt and 4 of the lock houses need major repairs. ..

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