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EXCERPT FROM RESOLUTION BY INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN'S AND WAREHOUSEMEN'S UNION, LOCAL 10, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., MARCH 15, 1950 The city of San Francisco's dignitaries must urge President Truman to call upon the proper authorities to lower the Panama Canal toll rates substantially

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RESOLUTION OF THE MARINE EXCHANGE, INC., SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., NOVEMBER 8, 1949

Whereas bay area employment is largely dependent upon shipping operations in the various ports in the San Francisco Harbor and,

Whereas like other Pacific coast ports, nearly two-thirds of all cargoes moving across bay area docks pass through the Panama Canal and thus are in effect subjected to its tolls; and

Whereas the tolls are not based solely on the true cost of providing transit for commercial vessels through the Canal; and

Whereas free transits to Government ships, numerous quasi-Government activities, and a permanent, nonamortizing interest charge are all cost factors in establishing Canal tolls; and

Whereas no such interest charges and in fact no tolls are charged at 12 other Government-built canals in the United States; Therefore be it

Resolved, That tolls on commercial vessels at the Panama Canal should be based solely on the true cost of providing transit to commercial ships and that all building and operating expenses at the Canal properly allocable to the national defense should be so charged and should not be included in Canal tolls computation.

The president of the Marine Exchange is hereby requested to communicate this resolution to the President of the United States, the California delegation in the United States Congress and to the members of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and the Senate Committee on Foreign and Interstate Commerce.

M. A. CREMER, Secretary.

RESOLUTION OF MONTEREY FISH CANNERS, PORT OF MONTEREY, CALIF., DECEMBER 29, 1949

Whereas it is essential to the efficient marketing of the canned fish and fish products produced in Monterey, Calif., that there be available to the industry a first-class transportation system; and

Whereas a requirement of a first-class transportation system is the co-existence of competing forms of transportation, each form a vigorous operation in its own sphere and striving to furnish the most efficient service possible at the most reasonable compensatory rates; and

Whereas the intercoastal steamship service of the United States is the only substantial long haul transportation medium in competition with the great system of the American railroads; Now therefore be it

Resolved, That the canners processing fish products n Mnterey, Colif., will individually urge the President of the United States and the California delegation to the Congress of the United States and the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee of the Congress of the United States to establish a tolls formula at the Panama Canal which will reflect only the true cost of providing transit to commercial vessels.

(This resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the Monterey Fish Processors Association on December 29, 1949. However, due to certain provisions in the association's bylaws, this is not a resolution of the association as such, but a reflection of the views of the individual members. PASSA January 3, 1950.)

RESOLUTION OF OAKLAND BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS, DECEMBER 5, 1949

Whereas the board of port commissioners of the city of Oakland is engaged in the operation of the municipal marine terminal facilities of that city, and the success of its operations is directly dependent upon the extent of ocean freight it can serve; and

Whereas the cost to commercial vessels in transmitting the Panama Canal is a large factor in the movement of that freight; and

Whereas the tolls for the use of the Canal assessed against commercial vessels are inequitable and unduly burdensome: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That this Board hereby urges Congress to enact legislation providing the basis for fixing tolls against commercial vessels using the Panama Canal do not include (1) the share of the cost of operation attributable to the transit of Government vessels, calculated on the basis of proportionate use; (2) interest charges on the cost of the construction of the Canal; and (3) not more than half the costs of carrying on governmental functions in the Canal Zone.

RESOLUTION OF OAKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OAKLAND 12, CALIF., FEBRUARY 1, 1950

That the Oakland Chamber of Commerce go on record before the Congress of the United States in opposition to any effort to increase existing Panama Canal tolls at this time, and

Further, that the Oakland Chamber of Commerce favor a review of the entire financial and organizational structure of the Panama Canal and the establishment of a tolls formula reflecting only the true cost of providing transit to commercial vessels.

RESOLUTION OF OAKLAND WORLD TRADE CLUB, NOVEMBER 3, 1949

Whereas maritime commerce is essential to the economic welfare of the city of Oakland; and

Whereas 64 percent of the world trade and intercoastal cargoes in all Pacific coast ports are subjected to tolls at the Panama Canal; and

Whereas only 20 percent of such commerce in Gulf ports and only 13 percent in Atlantic ports are subject to such tolls; and

Whereas by reason of fiscal practices at the Canal, there are included as factors in the toll rate not only the cost of furnishing transit to commercial ships, but also the cost of toll-free transit to Government ships; the cost entire of numerous Government functions serving both the commercial and national defense phases of the Canal; and a 3 percent interest charge on funds used to build the Canal; and

Whereas no interest and no tolls whatsoever are charged in the 12 other major canals built by United States funds: Therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oakland World Trade Club has adopted the following policies with respect to the Panama Canal:

1. That commercial shipping should pay through tolls the true cost of furnishing transits to commercial ships;

2. That through reorganization or other proper means, proper accounting policies should be adopted at the Canal with the result that tolls should no longer reflect the cost of toll-free transit to Government ships, nor more than the true commercial share of the cost of Government functions serving both the defense and commercial aspects of the Canal.

3. That the discriminatory practice of charging interest at the Panama Canal should be discontinued in line with Government policy at other United States built canals, as a minimum recognition of the national defense value of the Panama Canal.

That the secretary is requested to communicate this resolution to the President of the United States, the California delegation in the United States Congress, and to the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries and the Senate Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committees.

LYFORD MORRIS, Secretary.

RESOLUTION OF PACIFIC TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO, INC.,

FEBRUARY 14, 1950

Resolved, That the Pacific Traffic Association of San Francisco, Inc., does hereby go on record favoring a reduction in Panama Canal tolls by the establishment of a definite Panama Canal tolls formula by the proper branch of the Federal Government and that in recognition of the national defense value of the

Canal, such formula shall include as toll factors only those cost items related to the transit of commercial vessels.

RESOLUTION OF PROPELLER CLUB OF THE UNITED STATES, PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO; RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF GOVERNORS, AUGUST 16, 1949

Whereas it is the policy of the American people, stated through Congress, that the United States should have a strong and active privately owned merchant marine, and

Whereas merchant shipping of all nations, and particularly of the United States, is carrying an unfair portion of the financial burden of the Panama Canal through the payment of tolls, and

Whereas such burden is one of the many factors which should have consideration in creating an economic climate conducive to a larger and more efficient American merchant marine, and

Whereas it is recognized that the Panama Canal is commercially beneficial to merchant shipping, as well as serving primarily as a national defense utility: Therefore, be it

Resolved, That Congress should establish a formula for commercial tolls in recognition of the national defense value of the Panama Canal;

That such tolls should be based on the true cost of transits for commercial ships;

That such formula should not include costs arising from toll-free transits of Government ships or United States military and civil activities in the Canal Zone: and

That the so-called interest charges at the Canal be eliminated as a factor in establishing tolls.

RESOLUTION OF SACRAMENTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, DECEMBER 12, 1949 Whereas the sound economic development of ocean transportation is vital to the welfare of Sacramento and the northern California area; and

Whereas the Panama Canal is recognized to be vital as a national defense utility and to commercial shipping; and

Whereas it appears that the cost of certain governmental functions cannot rightly be considered to be part of those directly related to the transits of commercial vessels: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento, Calif., recommends the establishment of a definite policy for assessing tolls on commercial shipping through the Panama Canal; such formula should be based solely on the cost of providing transit to commercial vessels; all expenses properly chargeable to the national defense should be so allocated and not be considered as factors in the tolls formula; be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, to each member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and our Senators and Congressmen.

This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the resolution adopted at the regular meeting of the board of directors of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce held on December 12, 1949.

A. S. DUDLEY,
Secretary-Manager.

RESOLUTION OF THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, NOVEMBER, 8, 1949

Whereas waterborne commerce is essential to the economic welfare of the San Francisco bay area; and

Whereas 64 percent of all intercoastal and foreign trade cargoes in all Pacific coast ports are subjected to tolls at the Panama Canal; and

Whereas only 20 percent of Gulf cargoes and 14 percent of Atlantic coast cargoes are subjected to such tolls; and

Whereas, by means of the accounting practices at the Panama Canal, tolls on commercial shipping are based not only on the cost of providing Canal transit to commercial vessels, but also the cost of providing toll-free transcit to Government ships; the cost of certain expense items at the Canal not related to the

transit of commercial shipping; and a 3 percent annual interest charge on building funds; and

Whereas no such interest charges are made at the 12 other major, federally built canals in the United States: Therefore, be it

Resolved, That Congress is urged to develop a definite formula for computing tolls at the Panama Canal, based on these principles:

1. That tolls should reflect only the cost of providing transit to commercial ships: (a) The cost of providing toll-free transits to Government ships should be eliminated as toll factors on commercial ships; (b) the cost of certain "dual purpose" items should be eliminated as toll factors, or an equitable division of such costs should be made in the case of those adjudged to be of service to both the national defense and commercial aspects of the Canal.

2. That as a minimum recognition of the national defense value of the Canal, no interest should be charged on building funds used.

That the president of the chamber of commerce is requested to furnish copies of this resolution to the President, the California delegation in the United States Congress, and to members of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee and the Senate Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee.

Respectfully submitted,

G. A. DUNDON, Chairman.

EXCERPT FROM REPORT OF SECTION 8 ON TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS, UTILITIES, AND MINERAL EXTRACTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON EMPLOYMENT, SACRAMENTO, CALIF., DECEMBER 6, 1949

RECOMMENDATIONS: TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES

Recommendation No. 3: For the revision of tolls at the Panama Canal to reflect more closely the costs of providing transit to commercial vessels.

RESOLUTION OF WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION FOR THE AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE, PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO

Whereas the Women's Organization for the American Merchant Marine, port of San Francisco, comprised of 100 members, has for its objection the promotion, advancement, and support of the American merchant marine;

Whereas Panama Canal tolls constitute a substantial cost factor in intercoastal shipping which has not been rehabilitated since the war's end;

Whereas since operation of the Panama Canal began in 1914, commercial shipping has paid tolls based not only on cost of providing transit to commercial vessels but also the toll-free transit of Government vessels and other expenses of both military and civil government of the Canal Zone: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That thorough consideration be given by the proper officials of the Government to a reorganization of the Panama Canal which will take cognizance of the value of the Canal for national defense, and provide a formula for fixing toll rates which will result in fair and equitable tolls for commercial shipping, reflecting only such operating expense of the Canal as is attributable to the transit of commercial vessels; and be it further

Resolved. That this resolution be spread upon the minutes of this meeing and that a copy be transmitted to the President of the United States, to each member of the committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, House of Representatives, to each member of the California delegation of the House and to the Women's National American Merchant Marine Organization.

Dated this 8th day of November 1949, at San Francisco, Calif.

Mrs. ALFRED E. PITTMAN, President.

RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF HARBOR COMMISSIONERS, LOS ANGELES,
BE PANAMA CANAL TOLLS

Whereas Los Angeles Harbor is owned by the city of Los Angeles and is under the jurisdiction, supervision, and control of the board of harbor commissioners of said city; and

Whereas the board of harbor commissioners is vitally interested in the promotion of intercoastal and foreign water-borne commerce in connection with the operation of said harbor; and

Whereas it appears that the operation of the Panama Canal, with respect to the methods of assessing and computing tolls for the use thereof by commercial vessels carrying intercoastal and foreign commerce, places a financial burden upon such water carriers as use said Canal; and

Whereas it appears that the burden of the maintenance of said Canal, including the use thereof by certain governmental functions which should not be considered as directly relating to transits of vessels belonging to such water carriers, is nevertheless considered in the computation of tolls for the transit of such vessels: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Board of Harbor Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles, That the Congress of the United States and such other Federal authorities as have jurisdiction in the premises, be urged and petitioned to fix a formula for the establishment of Panama Canal tolls, so that such tolls will reflect the true costs of handling and otherwise servicing the transits of commercial yessels through the canal; and

That in the establishment of such tolls consideration be given to the exclusion of expenses and costs of operation and supervision of said canal rightly chargeable to certain governmental and military functions and other uses of said canal which are not directly realted to the transits of commercial vessels, to the end that tolls may be established which will not place inequitable and unjustifiable financial burdens on commercial water carriers, particularly water carriers engaged in carrying intercoastal and foreign commerce to or from the Pacific coast.

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Board of Harbor Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles at a meeting held September 28, 1949, by the following vote: Ayes-Messrs. Ingebretsen, Chadwick, Sweeney, Pegg (4). Noes-None.

Approved as to form and legality September 28, 1949.

M. G. ROUSE, Secretary.

RAY L. CHESEBRO, City Attorney.

RESOLUTION of Board of SUPERVISORS, LOS ANGELES COUNTY, RE PANAMA CANAL TOLLS

Whereas the continued success and growth of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are vital to the economic welfare of the public and general industry of Los Angeles County; and

Whereas it appears that 64 percent of all west coast cargoes in the intercoastal and foreign trade are subject to Panama Canal tolls and

Whereas it appears that the present financial operation of the Panama Canal is such that it places the burden of maintenance of certain canal functions on commercial shipping of all nations; and

Whereas this is of vital concern to the Los Angeles County ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, inasmuch as the sum total of such costs are directly or indirectly reflected in the volume of shipping passing through these ports; and

Whereas this board of supervisors is equally concerned and cognizant with the importance of the Panama Canal to commercial shipping and to southern California prosperity: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County express itself in favor of a formula for financial operation of the Panama Canal that will establish commercial shipping tolls that reflect costs arising out of expenses in connection with the transit of commercial vessels; and be it further

Resolved, That the Congress of the United States be urged to establish a fair and equitable formula for computing tolls for commercial shipping that will give specific attention to the interest now charged on construction costs, the toll-free transit of Government vessels, and the costs of maintaining civil government and military activities in the Canal Zone to the end that such rates for commercial vessel tolls do not reflect the costs of operations other than those that can be considered to be properly applied to the expenses attendant to the transit of such commercial vessels; and be it further

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