Water Resources People and Issues
would open the door further to a flow of economical y unjustified
undertakings.
Q: Was New England the major problem, the Connecticut Valley?
A: It was not the major problem, but [Massachusetts Representative John]
McCormack from New England was the leader in an effort to push through
both the 1936 and the 1938 acts, arguing that only by simplifying the funding
process would it be possible to take the measures which they felt were so
urgently needed.
Q: Of course, Will Whittington was chairman of the House Flood Control
Committee and he had about six or seven reservoirs being contemplated down
in his home district.
A: Yes, in the Yazoo. I would say that, as I recall, the major articulated
pressure came from New England. Others around the country joined in
cheerfully.
Q: How about the Ohio River Basin at this point?
A: Yes, also.
Q: Was there also a discussion at this time of land acquisition for both reservoirs
and floodways and spillways and things of this sort?
A: Yes. By that time it had come to the front.
Q: And do you recall what the discussion was about? As I recollect, there was
a question about land easements versus condemnation and things of that sort.
A: There were several questions. One was the use of condemnation rights. A
second one was whether or not easements would be more suitable than fee
simple purchase or condemnation. And the third was the question of
subsequent control of the reservoir frontage for purposes of recreation and
wildlife, and in what agency this control would rest.
16
Previous Page
