smoke output from a few industrial sources such as two chemical plants and the Esso refinery, we would have eliminated over 50 percent of the New York smoke. Our laws need more teeth since unfortunately smoke-control devices are expensive although they sometimes pay for themselves in the long run. Another example closer to home is the Sparrow Point steel mill in the Baltimore area which is a national disgrace and literally smogs up hundreds of square miles daily.

We sincerely hope that your efforts will bear some fruit and would be glad to assist in helping on smoke surveys or in any other way that you think our services or equipment could help. Now that there appears to be increasing proof that there is a real health problem involved as a result of increasing air pollution, perhaps we can get more public support for better enforcement of existing smoke-control laws as well as the passage of additional ones. Sincerely,

SAMUEL FREEMAN, Eastern Vice President.

STATEMENT OF NATIONAL COAL ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Subject: Amendment to S. 2938. "Title VIII-Smoke Elimination and Air Pollution Prevention" in the Senate housing bill

This statement is made necessary by the fact that it was impossible to arrange for the appearance of a witness for National Coal before the committee in connection with the proposed air-pollution amendment to S. 2938.

Information regarding the committee's intention to reopen hearings on S. 2938, to accommodate the proposed amendment, was not received by us until late Friday, April 9. We had previously been advised that hearings on S. 2938 had been completed. Therefore, when we received this advice, we immediately tried to contact necessary individuals regarding the scheduled public hearings. On Monday, April 12, we were advised that sufficient witnesses to consume the full time of the committee during the 3-day hearings, had been arranged for, and, therefore, no time was available for our witness.

We were also advised by a number of interested parties that they were unable to obtain time to testify. It was hoped that the hearings might be extended in order to provide for additional witnesses. From information derived from members of the staff of the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, we were advised there is not much possibility of extending hearings on this particular amendment.

In order that we may state for the record the position of the National Coal Association and others who are interested, we submit this statement and ask that it be incorporated as a part of the record of the committee's hearings on S. 2938 to consider Senator Capehart's amendment on air-pollution prevention.

Without being critical, but in the spirit of helpfulness, we point out that the basic principles involved in the amendment are laudatory. However, the method of approach leaves much to be desired.

We have no objections to offer as to section 803 or section 804 of the proposed amendment to the bill. We direct our attention particularly to section 802 of the amendment.

Section 802 would set up the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the vehicle and agency to "undertake and conduct a program of technical research and studies concerned with (a) causes of air pollution and excessive smoke, (b) devices, structures, machinery, equipment, and methods (including methods of selecting and using fuels) for the prevention or elimination of excessive smoke and air pollution or the collection of atmospheric contaminants, and (c) guidance and assistance to local communities in smoke abatement and air-pollution prevention and control."

Upon basis of such a statement, we presume that it is the intent of the amendment to concentrate on the technical aspects of air pollution rather than the theoretical or philosophical points.

If such a conclusion is correct, then there is grave doubt in our mind that the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, either on the basis of available facilities, qualified personnel or background, is the proper agency to conduct such a project.

It would seem more logical that the agency for such an accomplishment would be the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior, wherein personnel, background, and experience and facilities all lend themselves to such a technical

study, particularly since "devices, structures, machinery, equipment, and methods" are to be among the principal points of consideration.

It is worthy of the committee's note to understand that programs for prevention of air pollution have been in progress for a number of years. Their accomplishments of import are a matter of record.

Such agencies as the Air Pollution Control Association, the Bituminous Coal Producers Committee for Smoke Abatement, Bituminous Coal Research, Inc., Battelle Memorial Institute, as well as many institutions of technical education such as Purdue University in Indiana, Pennsylvania State College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and many others, have contributed greatly to the accomplishments in the field of air-pollution control.

Many of the experts in the field of air-pollution control speak not from cursory knowledge, but from years of study and experience. They feel that while there is still much to be accomplished in the attainment in the final goal of the airpollution control; nevertheless, the end can be attained most economically and efficiently by working on a program such as that now in operation by the Air Pollution Control Association.

APCA is made up of the representatives of a number of industries such as bituminous coal, petroleum, steelmaking, electric-power generation, railroads, industrial manufacturers, automtive and transportation operators, and the governmental air-pollution-control officers. The programs sponsored by these groups deal with the problem of air-pollution control on a specific industry basis. It is the thinking that certainly the proper solution to a problem within an industry can best be solved by people within the industry itself who know every facet of the operations. Under the sponsorship of the Air Pollution Control Association, a technical consulting committee composed of representatives of each of the industries, is set up to guide the individual work of a group of working subcommittees appointed from each of the individual industry groups.

An example of the type of operation incorporated in the APCA project is that now being conducted on the air pollution caused by automotive highway problems. This problem is particularly acute in Los Angeles, Calif. (where there is very little solid fuel consumed for industrial purposes). As on phase of the study, investigation is being made into the atmospheric contaminant caused by automotive exhaust gases, particles resulting from tire wear and highway traffic, and other causes. The study of such a problem, it is felt, can best be handled by people within the automotive and highway user groups.

In many circles, it is seriously doubted whether the proposed $5 million appropriation for the purposes outlined in section 802, would be productive of any great amount of good nor would the accomplishments be any more substantive than those to be expected from studies conducted by agencies of private enterprise.

The problem of air-pollution control is one which commands the serious and conscientious attention of all segments of industries involved. It is not a problem which is passed over lightly; nor is it one for which excuses rather than cures are sought. While not passing on the basic principle involved in the matter of Government intervention, in such a problem, it is felt that the committee should look carefully at the projects now being carried on by private -enterprise, which can be expanded at undoubtedly less cost and perhaps more efficiency than through the avenue of governmental bureaucracy.

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