I would like to make just one brief observation, Mr. Chairman. The provision in this bill, of which I have a counterpart bill introduced in the House, in the Appalachian region back in 1964, is merely asking the Congress to do what it has done ever since we have had a Congress in our form of government, and that is to promote the general welfare. That is exactly what this bill provides. It does not provide any specific favors in one particular area at all.

The TVA, and our major flood control projects, you know, are matters of national concern and matters in which our local communities do not have the facilities or finances or otherwise to do it themselves.

While every proposal in this bill is important, I think that one of the most important ones, and perhaps No. 1, is conservation of our

water resources.

No. 2, what we desperately need in the Appalachian region is the highway development system.

No. 3, additional help in medical facilities;

No. 4, which has been touched on earlier, assistance from vocational educational facilities.

At this point, Mr. Chairman, I respectfully request permission to file a more detailed formal statement.

Senator RANDOLPH. Yes, that is accorded to you, Representative Kee. (Subsequently, Representative Kee filed the following statement :)

PREPARED STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES KEE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE FIFTH WEST VIRGINIA DISTRICT

Mr. Chairman and other distinguished members of the Special Subcommittee on Appalachian Development of the Senate Public Works Committee, I deeply appreciate this opportunity, which you have so graciously extended, to present this statement. Especially am I gratified that West Virginia's senior Member of the U.S. Senate, the Honorable Jennings Randolph, is the chairman of this important subcommittee. I am equally gratified, Mr. Chairman, that your committee has scheduled this public hearing at an early stage of the 89th Congress, thereby reflecting the tantamount importance of expeditious consideration and action therein.

Gentlemen, the Fifth West Virginia District consists of Fayette, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, McDowell, Summers, and Wyoming Counties, and the entire district is geographically and physically located in the middle of the Appalachian area encompassed by the proposed Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. Throughout this entire region, the level of prosperity has experienced cyclical variations which have presented many difficult problems for our people, including the complete range of social and economic challenges; however, one of the basic problems inherent in this beautiful God-given environment is that of terrain adversity, creating a most difficult situation involving natural resources and the elements of God.

It is earnestly hoped and believed by its sponsors that the proposed Appalachian Regional Development Act will do something more than give a "shotin-the-arm" to the basic economy of West Virginia. Over the next few years, this plan, if enacted by Congress, should mean a virtual economic rebirth for the whole Appalachian region. The special Commission appointed by the President of the United States to consider the particular problems of this area said this: "Economic studies have demonstrated that if Appalachia's economy merely equaled the national average, approximately $12 billion could be added to the gross national product through retail sales; approximately $5.2 billion could be added to our annual rate of personal income; and another $1 billion could be added in new housing construction."

The President's Commission proposed a series of practical, down-to-earth programs which form the basis of the legislation now before the Congress. These

provisions are designed to (1) improve general health conditions, (2) to foster the reclamation of coal lands scarred by the operations of former years, (3) to promote the orderly utilization of timber lands, (4) to encourage the development of a thriving livestock industry, and (5) to make better use of the Nation's water resources. This measure also includes (6) a gigantic program of road construction because it has been amply demonstrated that without adequate roads economic progress is impossible. Good roads are aqually essential to the development of recreational facilities, a subject of vital importance to the residents of southern West Virginia.

To avoid misunderstanding, it should be made clear that the proposed Appalachian Regional Development Act is not discriminatory-it is not legislation based on favoritism. We are asking the Congress to do what it has done hundreds of times before-to promote the general welfare. The development of rivers and harbors is a Federal function and the taxpayers of our State help foot the bill. The Tennessee Valley Authority was a regional project and so were the dams erected with Federal funds on the Colorado and Columbia Rivers-and let us not forget the Bluestone Reservoir. The Federal Government has initiated a relief program for the flood victims of the west coast. Helping its citizens to help themselves has been a function of the Federal Government since its beginning. The proposed Appalachian Regional Development Act is a continuation of this fine tradition.

As a newly appointed member of the House Public Works Committee, I am looking forward to detailed consideration and effort for the final presentation of legislation which will permit the expeditious implementation of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965.

For over a period of 20 years, the Fifth West Virginia District has been plagued with devastating floods which have deterred the development of economic activities within such counties as McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming. I am most pleased that section 206, "Water Resource Survey" provides for recommendations for the control of floods, the regulation of the rivers to enhance their value as sources of water supply for industrial and municipal development, the prevention of water pollution by drainage from mines, the development and enhancement of the recreational potential of the region, and water related purposes.

In presenting this statement to this distinguished committee, I am most pleased to encourage and support expeditious consideration for approval and implementation of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965.

Senator RANDOLPH. I can't forego the opportunity, with three Representatives here, two Democrats and a Republican, Representative Mathias, to hear you men say whether you think this legislation, when it has passed the Senate, will pass the House?

You will recall in the 88th Congress apparently there was some difference of opinion. I would like to hear-I am going to put you on the spot, if you don't mind-just what you really believe the House will do in this matter. I will ask Representative Mathias first.

Mr. MATHIAS. Senator, I would be optimistic about the passage of this program. I have been in this game long enough to know that you can't count on any vote but your own, but we do have a great chairman of the Public Works Committee in the House who happens to be a Marylander. I am sure all his efforts will be very enthusiastically engaged in promoting the bill.

I think there is a recognition that this program is of importance to the whole country and not just to those of us who live in Appalachia, and with this national interest, I think we have fair prospects.

Senator RANDOLPH. Thank you. Representative Hechler?

Mr. HECHLER. Well, you can do all the analyzing you want, but there was a little thing that happened on the 3d of November that will make it absolutely 100-percent sure that this bill will go through, because we now have the horses to put it through the House of Representatives.

Senator RANDOLPH. Representative Kee?

42-031-65--11

Mr. KEE. Optimistic. I am grateful I am going to be on your counterpart committee over on the House.

Senator RANDOLPH. I remember in the presence of newspaper people here today that in my campaign at one time I was with a friend who was campaigning also, and he was asked to make a statement and he didn't make it. He looked at the newspaper people and said, "You can't misquote silence." I don't say that the newspaper people misquote; in fact, I think just the opposite. They make a real contribution to informing the public, after talking with persons who are running for public office, those of us who share the responsibility of a public life. I would want to say today that we are glad that you have not been silent on this matter, that you have responded in good grace and conscience to the request I have made of you. Thank you very much.

Now, Governor Smith, I think that with these Members of the House present, I would like to refer to the some 18 years that your father spent in the House of Representatives and to your having been reared in a sense in a Federal legislative atmosphere.

I think West Virginia is very fortunate that we are going to have a Governor who understands this partnership between the State and Federal levels. This will be very helpful to us. We are delighted that you have testified for us today, and that you have given us these recommendations.

I also want to call attention to your aide, Paul Crabtree. We have known him here on Capitol Hill. We believe that if this program comes into being that the State of West Virginia will implement very quickly its responsibility.

We are ready, are we not, in West Virginia, to come forward with our contribution of 30 percent needed in the road construction program? Is that true?

Governor SMITH. Yes, Senator. We are ready to move when this legislation is passed. We have the program advanced to the stage, as I mentioned, that 16 miles of highway can be under contract this

year.

Senator RANDOLPH. And our legislature, now in its beginning days, would provide funds for the State's level of participation in other programs that are embraced in this legislation?

Governor SMITH. The present budget covers those fields and to that extent we could at the present time, not knowing how far this legislation was going to go, but I am hopeful that before our statutory session of the legislature adjourns on March 16 that this bill will be moved to the Senate to the point that we can be sure that we have included the proper legislation and the proper funding for our part of making the Appalachia regional development program a success not only for West Virginia, but a success for our sister States in Appalachia and for the good of the country.

Senator RANDOLPH. Governor Smith, between 1950 and 1960 West Virginia lost approximately 72 percent of its population. Do you believe that this type of program would help to stabilize our population figure and stop outmigration?

Governor SMITH. Senator, I think that this type of legislation is not only going to stabilize our population, but it is going to enable it to grow. I look upon this as not something to try and hold the line; I look on this as a definite breakthrough on a program that will develop

this great area of the Nation that lies within the Appalachian region, and, as such, will enable this part of the country to contribute its full share of measure to the entire growth of the Nation.

Senator RANDOLPH. Thank you, Governor Smith.

I am going to give the opportunity to Senator Cooper, while I talk with our Governor for just a few moments, of calling perhaps three witnesses from Kentucky who will testify as we come to the conclusion of the hearings. I will return in a moment.

Senator COOPER. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, we have been very fortunate during the course of these hearings to have the testimony of Governors of several of the States included in the Appalachian area, and last year we heard from various representatives of the area.

A few days ago I had a call from the officials and private citizens in a county of eastern Kentucky included in this area. These citizens were very desirous that some of the problems of this county-which is in the middle of the eastern Kentucky counties-be presented to the committee. This county is Jackson County, Ky., and the county seat of Mrs. Kee. Jackson County is not situated in the extreme eastern part of our State, where the names of many of those counties have become familiar. It is not the most mountainous area. is not in the great coal-producing area.

It

Curiously enough, it is located on the plateau just up from the bluegrass section of Kentucky and it is adjacent to one of our rich farming counties in Madison. It is not too far distant from Lexington, Ky., yet is is isolated and has suffered many of the problems and troubles so common in this part of Kentucky.

Historically, its problems have been the problems of other counties in this area. It has rich timber resources which they have been used up without care in the lumbering operations. It has a small coal mining area. Its schools in the early days were founded by churches— the Presbyterian Church, the Reformed Church, the Catholic Church. By reason of the very fact that it is located just adjacent to the richest part of our State, it would seem that it should have and would have had a better chance of development, but the land is not very rich, though it has possibilities for improved use through conservation practices.

The real problem, I think, is communication. Although it is located just next to the bluegrass area, it is almost inaccessible as far as decent roads are concerned. The representatives here are very much concerned and want their problems to be considered by the committee and by the Commission when it is established.

This county of Jackson and two other counties in this area, McCreary and Martin, are especially alike in their problems. They are at the edges, and yet they suffer and have suffered these same problems. The decisions about what shall be done after this legislation is passed will be made by the Commission and by the Governors and their delegates, but I can say that I intend to do all I can to recommend that your county, Jackson, and the other two counties that I mentioned, be given full and fair consideration along with the other counties in this area of Kentucky, I know you have expressed a concern that you will not be given full consideration, so I think it is only fair that you should have this opportunity to place your case on the record.

I am going to call on Father Beiting and Mr. Jess Wilson, who is with the rural electric cooperative of that county, and who is executive secretary of the county improvement association.

Father Beiting, will you state your name, your residence, and something about your work?

STATEMENT OF FATHER RALPH BEITING; ACCOMPANIED BY JESS WILSON, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, JACKSON COUNTY (W. Va.) IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Father BEITING. Thank you very much, Senator.

Father Ralph Beiting. I am the representative of the Bishop of Covington in the southern section of the State, which would include these 49 counties of Appalachia.

At the present time I am working directly in four of the counties, Jackson County being one of them. It is in this respect that I have been associated with Mr. Jess Wilson, who has been appointed the executive secretary of the Jackson County Improvement Association. Jess has done a considerable amount of work to better the county over many years, particularly in these last years in which the attention of the Nation has been called to the problems of Appalachia.

I would just like to make one or two little comments in regard to the testimony that was given prior by certainly people much more competent than we. Nevertheless, I think that Senator Muskie's question concerning the nature of the environment, as far as production of raw materials and so on-Jackson County, for example, has about 216,000 acres of land; 156,000 of this is in forest area which is 72 percent, and yet a survey that was taken in 1962 indicated that 118,000 acres of this was in very bad need of reforestation and timber management. In other words, 70 percent of the timber that Jackson County had was in need of a program such as the Appalachia bill would be able to produce.

Also, in talking with representatives of the University of Kentucky, especially men like Dr. Swemman, who was one of the geographers for the United Nations, one of the things that he insisted on in eastern Kentucky was that it did not have a pattern of success, that always they had heard planning, they had heard stories of better days, and yet nothing had ever developed, and because of this lack of pattern of success, they were in a very discouraged state of mind.

As Governor Scranton seemed to indicate, if we could get something immediate, so that people could know for once this was not simply a utopian idea, that it had its roots in reality, and in the reality of 1965 and 1966, then there would develop a real spirit of initiative.

Thirdly, I would like to say that the suggestion made by Senator Hart, that perhaps more areas should be brought into the Appalachia bill, that those areas could be best helped if this most chronic area would first prove itself and then the other areas that also need help very badly could say here was an area that was tried and trusted at work; our area could do so as well.

If you put too many in at one time, the chances of any of us getting the desired help, I think, is greatly diminished.

Finally, I know that something that the Senate and the Congress of the United States is not specifically interested in is religion, but I