Mr. SHELLEY. Never in the world. I want to read a letter from Mr. R. W. Dunlap. It is only a copy, because the original was put in the record in the House hearings. It is dated February 18, 1928, addressed to Congressman Scott. Leavitt, and reads as follows: DEAR MR. LEAVITT: Replying to your inquiry concerning my visit to Cooke City, which you suggested that I make while in that part of the country in July, 1926, have to say that I spent several hours in Cooke City and discussed with many citizens of that place the matter of transporting the products of their mines to the outside world. Without exception every person with whom I discussed this matter was in favor of a highway from Cooke City to Red Lodge. I might also add that there was evidence of large investments in the mining industry in that community and it was very apparent to me that if the industry was to be developed some means must be provided whereby the products of the mines could be marketed. Very truly yours, R. W. DUNLAP, Assistant Secretary. I do not think it is necessary for me to say anything further. I should be glad to answer any questions that the committee might want to ask me. The CHAIRMAN. Are there any questions on the part of any one? If not, we are very much obliged to you, Mr. Shelley. As to those who wish to appear in opposition to the bill, Senator Warren and Senator Kendrick, do you wish to go on this afternoon? Senator KENDRICK. Speaking for myself, if Senator Warren can come back in the morning I should prefer to wait until 10 o'clock in the morning. The CHAIRMAN. What is your feeling about that, Senator Warren? Senator WARREN. As far as I am concerned, I am ready to say what I have to say. It is just a matter for the committee to decide. The CHAIRMAN. The committee wishes to accommodate itself particularly to the desires of its colleagues in the Senate. Senator BROOKHART. Let us hear Senator Warren now, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Very well. STATEMENT OF HON. FRANCIS E. WARREN, A SENATOR OF THE UNITED STATES FROM THE STATE OF WYOMING Senator WARREN. The proposal that is now before the committee is to take money that belongs to 47 or 48 of the States, which Montana refused to utalize when, under the law, she was called upon to put up her share. Senator BROOKHART. The 47 States get the benefit of that, Senator? Senator WARREN. Certainly. Of course, my State gets very little of it. I am not objecting to that, at all. But is it good policy to undertake to enact laws and immediately commence in some particular to break them? I do not know that I had anything to do with the passing of the law, but there is a law under which we have all been operating, and speak with some interest because this road-and I hope Mr. Shelley will correct me if I am wrong-passes through more of Wyoming than of Montana. Mr. SHELLEY. Just about an equal amount, Senator WARREN. It is in favor of Wyoming. equal. We claim that it is more. The people Senator. You admit that it is engaged in business and professions in Cooke City are largely Wyoming people. Of course, petitions can oftentimes be made up signed by nonresidents. They do not weigh very heavily. I have in my correspondenceand I have had a great many letters received not one single letter or one single telegram or one single word of any kind from Cooke City indicating that they are in favor of having this proposed road built. Senator BROOKHART. IS Cooke City in Wyoming? Senator WARREN. In Montana, just outside the park. If it were in the park it would be in Wyoming. I think I am right about that. Senator WALSH. That does not necessarily follow, Senator, because a small portion of the park is in Montana, you know. Senator WARREN. Yes; there is a portion above the Wyoming line that is in Montana, and it is within that few miles. The road proposed, instead of going direct, as you might think, to Cooke City, starts east and south into Wyoming, so that there are perhaps 35 or 40 miles in Wyoming charged up to us, and we have no ingress or egress, as you might say. We have got to go to Cooke City to get to one end of it and up to Red Lodge to get to the other. So it seems to me that it is spending a great deal of money for a small amount of benefit. Senator BROOKHART. What does this road connect with at the ends in the way of other roads or railroads? Senator WARREN. So far as the park is concerned, it connects with nothing. It ends at Cooke City. Senator BROOKHART. That is outside the park. Is the other end outside the park, too? Senator WARREN. I am not advised as to just what may be along it, but I assume that it is on one of the transcontinental railroads. Senator WALSH. Yes; the main line to Red Lodge. Senator WARREN. I have a map here. The CHAIRMAN. I think this small map that your colleague has will show it better. It is much clearer. There is a call from the floor for a vote. Do you want to come back to-morrow morning, Senator Warren? Senator WARREN. I will come back to-morrow morning if I possibly can. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will resume at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. (Whereupon, at 4 o'clock p. m., a recess was taken until to-morrow Saturday, March 31, 1928, at 10 o'clock a. m.) 97823-28- -5 SENATE ROAD BILLS SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1928 UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON POST OFFICES AND POST ROADS, Washington, D. C. The committee met, pursuant to adjournment on yesterday, at 10 o'clock a. m., in the committee room, Capitol, Senator George H. Moses presiding. Present: Senators Moses (chairman), Phipps, Oddie, Frazier, Brookhart, McKellar, and Bratton. Also present: Hon. Francis E. Warren and Hon. John B. Kendrick, Senators from the State of Wyoming; Hon. Thomas J. Walsh, a Senator from the State of Montana; Hon. Charles E. Winter, a Representative from the State of Wyoming;. Hon. Scott Leavitt, a Representative from the State of Montana. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will come to order. We will put into the record at this point certain communications received by Senator Warren and by him referred to the Senate, and referred to this committee. (The communications referred to are as follows:) TELEGRAMS FROM CITIZENS OF LIVINGSTON, MONT., AND SHERIDAN AND buffalo, WYO., PROTESTING AGAINST ENACTMENT OF ANY LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS IN CONSTRUCTION OF A PROPOSED ROAD FROM RED LODGE TO COOKE CITY, MONT. Hon. FRANCIS E. WARREN, LIVINGSTON, MONT., March 29, 1928. United States Senate, Washington, D. C. Telegram sent to Montana Senators: The Livingston Chamber of Commerce protests passage of S. 1804, which in effect proposes to divert Federal-aid money from Montana trunk-line highways to Red Lodge-Cooke Road. Montana is in no danger of losing this money and it is badly needed on the trunk-line system, This bill, if passed, would set Montana road program back many years. D. P. BATES, Secretary. Senator F. E. WARREN, Washington, D. C.: BUFFALO, Wyo., March 29, 1928. Buffalo Commercial Club most vigorously protests against proposed Cooke City entrance to Yellowstone Park. With five entrances already in existence impression here seems to be that effort should be made to improve these. Many established roads could use forest funds to much better advantage. Thank you. J. C. FLINT, Secretary. 63 Senator F. E. WARREN, Washington, D. C.: SHERIDAN, Wyo., March 29, 1928. Impossible, account time, to send representative to oppose Walsh Red LodgeCooke City Road bill. City of Sheridan vigorously protests against this bill as unnecessary, extravagant, and vicious. H. A. LOUCKS, Mayor of Sheridan. SHERIDAN, WYo., March 29, 1928. Senator F. E. WARREN, Washington, D. C.: Strenuously oppose Walsh bill proposing $300,000 Red Lodge-Cooke City Road, Wyo.; in no way benefited; this would deprive Wyoming of much needed highway money. A. K. CRAIG. SHERIDAN, WYo., March 29, 1928. Senator F. E. WARREN, Washington, D. C.: Time too short to send sworn statement of objection to you in hearing before Senate committee March 30, on Senate bill 1804, Walsh bill. This club representing the combined business and agricultural interests of Sheridan County, strenuously oppose the construction of Red Lodge-Cooke City Road, if any part of Wyoming's highway funds will be used for its construction or maintenance. We further oppose it because we feel new entrance to Yellowstone Park unwarranted and unnecessary. Large sums of money now invested in development of Cooke City mineral resources by citizens of Sheridan who protest vigorously, based on claim by these investors that Red Lodge-Cooke City Road will be of no economic advantage to residents or mining interests of Cooke City. They hold that the only feasible route from mining camp to railroad is into Yellowstone Park down Yellowstone River to Gardiner. If consistent with your views and duties we urge you to appear before the Senate committee conducting the hearing and present our protest. SHERIDAN COMMERCIAL CLUB, TELEGRAMS IN THE NATURE OF MEMORIALS FROM SUNDRY CITIZENS OF MONTANA AND WYOMING CODY, WYO., March 29, 1928. Hon. F. E. WARREN, United States Senate. Engineer Bell, chairman roads committee of Cody Club, having meeting and will send by air mail sworn statement expressing our views on Red Lodge-Cooke City road. Engineer Bell will qualify on road matters. We can not send representative from here, so unless we find some one in the East we will have to depend on the representations made in this sworn statement. Senator WARREN, Washington, D. C. J. M. SCHWOOB. FROMBERG, MONT., March 30, 1928. Wish to remind you of copy of survey of Clarkfork Canyon-Cooke City Road mailed you recently. Please compare costs and low maintenance of Clarkfork Canyon Road compared with Red Lodge-Cooke City Road. Canyon road allyear-round road, accommodating great many farmers. Red Lodge Road snowbound. High elevation of no practical benefit. With enormous upkeep only about eight weeks' tourist travel. Canyon Road necessary from standpoint of proposed flood-control dam in canyon. Canyon Road perfect grade, Red Lodge Road nearly mile lift. Please give copies of this message to Montana Senators and representatives. COMMERCIAL CLUBS BRIDGER, FROMBERG, EDGAR, BELFRY, MONT., AND CLARK, WYO. |