[87th Cong., 2d sess., U.S. Senate, Committee on Public Works]

COMMITTEE RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR A STUDY AND INVESTIGATION OF USE OF MATERIALS IN PUBLIC WORKS

Whereas the Senate Committee on Public Works has under its jurisdiction measures relating to flood control and rivers and harbors, roads, and highways, public buildings, water pollution control, waterpower, and other matters relating to developments within the Nation; and

Whereas the Senate Committee on Public Works has authority to make inves tigations into any matter within its jurisdiction; and

Whereas the Senate Committee on Public Works members have been vitally interested in the development, protection, and utilization of our Nation's water resources as evidenced by their active participation in the hearings and deliberations of the Senate Select Committee on National Water Resources; and

Whereas there are now being produced and our scientists and technicians, both in industry and Government, are working on and perfecting many new materials and new uses of known materials and it is evident that such materials can be utilized efficiently and economically in the construction of public works, in the protection and operation of such works, in the preservation and proper utilization of our essential water resources and that such materials and their development and use enhance the opportunities for industrial and business growth and strengthening of our Nation's economy; and

Whereas representatives of industry and the Federal Government have shown a keen interest in discussing and disclosing their roles in the fields of research, development, and utilization of materials: Therefore, be it

Resolved, by a unanimous vote of the Senate Committee on Public Works, That the committee shall institute a study and investigation into the use of new materials, new use of materials, and new designs and methods being used or which may be used in flood control and rivers and harbors, roads and highways, public buildings, water pollution control, waterpower and other development, utilization, preservation, and protection projects, and that a committee report be prepared thereon and submitted to the Senate.

SEC. 2. Such study and investigation shall include but not be limited to metals, plastics, rubber, coal, petroleum, timber, concrete, asphalt, chemicals, and their direct use, uses of their derivatives or use in combination with each other or other materials, and shall attempt to determine the following:

(a) Description of proposed use of application of the subject material; (b) General description of the materials in terms of physical and chemical characteristics and where possible, obtain a description of the physical or chemical phenomenon responsible for obtaining the desired effect;

(c) Results of laboratory and field tests to prove that the desired effect occurs and prove the durability or duration of the effect of the material; (d) The limitations of the materials, i.e., problems of toxicity, limitation of effectiveness under certain climate, soil, or physical conditions;

(e) Cost of materials per standard units, i.e., square foot, lineal foot, cubic foot, etc., and cost projection in terms of future production capacity, improved manufacturing techniques, etc.; and

(f) Availability of material both on a current and future basis.

Adopted: January 22, 1962.

DENNIS CHAVEZ, Chairman.

DEAR SENATOR CHAVEZ: Your letter of February 2, 1962, to Dr. McArdle invited the Forest Service to participate in a study of the use of materials in public works by preparing a report on the use of wood. I am happy to transmit herewith a report entitled "The Role of Wood and Wood Products in Public Works," prepared by the Forest Products Laboratory of the Forest Service with assistance from representatives of the forest products industry.

The Forest Service has more than a passing interest in the subject of wood in public works-it has, in fact, a very direct interest from three standpoints. First, in managing some 186 million acres of national forests and national grasslands, the Forest Service must of necessity construct and maintain a wide range of public works. Among these are: Forest roads for management activities, firefighting, and recreational travel; bridges in a range of sizes; buildings of various types including residences, warehouses, laboratories, and offices; flood control structures; and fire lookout towers.

Second, the national forests furnish a considerable portion of the annual timber harvest. We want to be sure that we manage these forests so that they will continue to supply adequate amounts of high-quality timber for public as well as private use.

Finally, for more than 50 years, we have been responsible for maintaining a strong program in forest products research. This program has as its objective the development of new uses for wood and the improvement of old uses, with a view to greater efficiency, longer life, and greater consumer satisfaction. This research work, centered at our Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wis., deals with a broad array of forest products utilization problems.

We have drawn heavily on our experience in forest products research to develop the accompanying report. Many of the widespread uses of wood in public works result from past technological advances. Some of the newer uses now being adopted spring from our research program. Also, the new horizons for even greater use of wood in future public works and related activities are being expanded by ideas developed in the laboratory.

The report has been organized in three sections to bring out present utilization of wood, significant new developments, and possible future uses of this raw material. Many of the uses of wood described in the report represent applications made by the Forest Service in its various program activities. However, the report develops the full present and potential use of wood in the wide range of public works projects.

Sincerely yours,

EDWARD P. CLIFF, Chief.

FOREWORD

The Committee on Public Works, U.S. Senate, adopted, on January 22, 1962, a resolution which read, in part

* that the committee shall institute a study and investigation into the use of new materials, new use of materials, and new designs and methods being used or which may be used in flood control and rivers and harbors, roads and highways, public buildings, water pollution control, waterpower and other development, utilization, preservation, and protection projects, and that a committee report be prepared thereon and submitted to the Senate.

Senator Chavez, chairman of the committee, invited the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, to compile a report on the role of wood in the activities contemplated by the resolution and to make a presentation to the committee. This report, prepared by the Forest Products Laboratory of the Forest Service, is in response to this invitation.

The forest products industry is a vital segment of our national economy. In 1959, the total value of shipments from timber-based primary manufacturing industries amounted to about $10 billion. About 5 percent of the gross national product originated in timberbased industries. One out of every 20 people employed in the United States worked in these industries.

This large and complex group of industries is backed up by an extensive and renewable resource. The latest full-scale review of the Nation's timber resource, reported in "Timber Resources for America's Future," projected demand and supply to the year 2000. It estimated the consumption of all wood products, in the year 2000, to be about twice as great as in 1952 and suggested measures that would be needed to help insure an adequate timber supply.

Thus the forest products industry is dynamic and growing. It has a stable base for the future. Over the years, research has taught us to use wood better, to make it last longer, and to use a greater proportion of the timber we cut. Certainly we may expect that technology will continue to provide improvements.

Acknowledgement is made of assistance given in preparation of this report by members of the forest products industry who supplied some of the illustrations and ideas for expanded uses of wood.

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