Subject: Air pollution. CITY OF HAYWARD, OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER, To: Senator Homer E. Capehart, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. Senator HOMER E. CAPEHART: 1. We are heartened to learn of your proposal (S. 2938) to amend the 1954 Housing Act to provide rapid tax amortization and insured construction loans for air-pollution control facilities, as well as support for research in that field. 2. The San Francisco Bay area during the past 2 or 3 years has first experienced incidents which presage a smog problem. Observing the extent to which that same problem has become critical in the southern part of this State and aware of the imposing difficulties present in abatement programs, we support vigorously your proposed legislation. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, JOHN R. FICKLIN, City Manager. CITY HALL, La Verne, Calif., April 8, 1954. Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: The City Council of La Verne has received from Richard Carpenter, executive director and general counsel of the League of California Cities, an urgent letter describing your amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954 to facilitate the prevention and control of air pollution. The council has studied the provisions contained in the amendment and instructed me to present their specific interest and support to the amendment. In accordance with these instructions it is extremely important that their complete support in favor of the bill is known to you. The council and residents of the city are very definitely aware of the serious blight caused by air pollution and the retarding of satisfactory development of the community, from the standpoint of subdivisions and home building and its adverse effects on health, business, agriculture, and the general welfare of the city. The council wishes to convey its strongest encouragement to you in obtaining legislation for the rapid amortization of air-pollution control facilities, and FHA and FNMA program to insure loans to construct such facilities and an appropriation for research of air-pollution control. On behalf of the council, I trust that the support of the city of La Verne will help in obtaining this most needed legislation. Very truly yours, Senator HOMER E. CAPEHART, JOHAN A. KRABBE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. Greetings: At the meeting of the council of the city of Los Angeles held April 12, 1954, resolution was adopted that the council petition the Congress of the United States to enact Senate bill 2938 and Senate bill 3115 and I am transmitting herewith a copy of said resolution for your information. Yours very truly, Whereas air pollution in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles is recognized as one of the most serious problems in that it retards the growth and development of our city and creates blighted areas and slums and is injurious to the health and to the well-being of our community; and Whereas the severity of the problem of air pollution in this county is so great that an air pollution control district was activated and organized in 1947 to combat the menace of air pollution in the county of Los Angeles; and Whereas there is pending before the Congress of the United States, Senate bill 3115 which would provide for a 60-month amortization for tax purposes of facilities constructed by private industry for the control of air pollution; and Whereas there is also pending before the Congress of the United States, Senate 44750-54-pt. 2-12 bill 2938 which in addition to the accelerated writeoff provision would authorize a program of loans to corporations or individuals to construct or install air pollution control facilities and an appropriation for research in the field of air pollution control; and Whereas Mayor Norris Poulson has been invited to appear at hearings before the Banking and Currency Committee of the Senate on April 14 in support of the proposed legislation: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That this city council petition the Congress of the United States to enact Senate bill 2938 and Senate bill 3115, and that copies of this resolution be transmitted to Senator Capehart, Senator Knowland, Senator Kuchel, and to each of the Representatives in Congress from southern California. Presented by Councilman Ernest E. Debs; seconded by Councilman Gordon R. Hahn. I, Walter C. Peterson, city clerk of the city of Los Angeles, do hereby certify that the above resolution was unanimously adopted by the city council at its meeting of April 12, 1954. WALTER C. PETERSON, April 1, 1954. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, United States Senate, 241 Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR: It has come to my attention that you are sponsoring an amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954, S. 2938, concerning prevention and control of air pollution, providing for Federal legislation to encourage and assist in solving this important problem. I am in hearty agreement with, and endorse your action, and urge approval by the Congress. Very truly yours, LLOYD ALDRICH, City Engineer. CITY OF MERCED, Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, United States Senator, 241 Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: The City Council of the City of Merced would like to go on record endorsing your amendment to the Housing Act of 1954, which would aid in prevention and control of air pollution. We feel that this serious problem must be attacked because air pollution is spreading over all the United States to such an extent that as far as American cities are concerned it is causing and will continue to cause serious blight, slum conditions, and will adversely affect health, business, agriculture, home building, and proper subdivision development. Respectfully submitted. RUSSEL J. COONEY, MERCED CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INC., Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, Chairman, Senate Banking and Currency Committee, 241 Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: Our chambers of commerce wish to support you in your endeavors concerning the seriousness of the air pollution situation in many industrial areas. We feel that this is a most important matter for the San Joaquin Valley and our county in particular. We are asking Senators Kuchel and Knowland and our Congressman Oakley Hunter to aid you. Sincerely, JACK M. ROTH, Merced City Chamber of Commerce, Inc. GYLE MILLER,, National Affairs Committee. Senator HOMER E. CAPEHART, CITY OF MONTEREY PARK, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: The city of Monterey Park is a community of homes with approximately 26,000 residents, just a few minutes away from the center of the metropolitan area of Los Angeles. Air pollution strikes hard in our community driving some of our residents out into more distant suburbs to escape this "smog," and preventing others from coming to our city, retarding subdivision development that naturally should occur here. The bill which you have supported, S. 2938, which would amend the administration's Housing Act of 1954, would, we understand, aid us greatly in the metropolitan area of Los Angeles by permitting speedy amortization of air pollution control devices. We also understand that your bill would permit federally insured bonds to build such devices, and would also provide for research in the field of air pollution control. This sort of legislation at the Federal level appears to be our only source of real assistance. This is true because of the vast financial burden of industries who must be obligated to install these smoke control facilities. Apparently under our tax laws, the only suitably consistent way of encouraging industries to finance these costly installations is by some form of tax relief. Rapid amortization particularly can do just that. Representing both the interests of the City Council of Monterey Park, and the many individuals and organizations who are daily distressed with discomfort and annoyance by air pollution in our community, we strongly urge you to strive to secure the votes necessary to pass your bill S. 2938. Sincerely, JOHN C. CROWLEY, CITY OF NASHVILLE, Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, BUREAU OF INSPECTION AND PERMITS, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR: The writer is informed that your committee has before it certain proposed legislation which, if adopted, would provide for the following: 1. Provide for the rapid amortization of air-pollution-control facilities built in conformance with State and/or local law. 2. Set up an FHA or FNMA program to insure loans to corporations or individuals to construct such facilities. 3. Establish a provision providing for research in the field of air-pollution control. The expenditure of large sums of money by industrial interest for air-pollution-control facilities is usually made to the interest of the general public. Such facilities are additional equipment over and above that actually required to accomplish the primary task and little, if any, return is realized from the investment. This legislation will provide a very definite incentive to industry to install airpollution-control facilities. It is believed that it would make the very difficult task, that of selling management on the advantages of air-pollution-control equipment, much easier for the local air-pollution-control officials. The city of Nashville joins with other cities, that have been plagued with tremendous quantities of air pollution, in urging serious congressional attention to this legislation. Yours very truly, R. L. WALKER, Superintendent of Inspections. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS, Chairman, Senate Banking and Currency Committee, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: It has been brought to my attention that section 124C of S. 2938, which was introduced into Congress on April 1, 1954, and referred to the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, deals with amortization deduction for certain treatment works-specifically entitling every person, at his election, to a deduction with respect to the amortization, based on a 60-month period, or the adjusted basis of any device, structure, machinery, or equipment for the collection at the source or the prevention or elimination of atmospheric pollutants and contaminants with respect to which device, structure, machinery, or equipment a certificate is made by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. The National Association of Manufacturers heartily endorses the philosophy behind accelerated amortization for pollution-abatement facilities, whether they be for air or water. As you may know, the association has had a committee on the conservation of renewable natural resources for some years. In its deliberations the committee has considered the problem of air and water pollution and has been interested in this matter for quite some time. In April 1951, on recommendation of the conservation committee, the NAM board of directors adopted a policy position with respect to amortization of pollution-abatement facilities in connection with water resources. In 1953 upon further deliberation the conservation committee was of the opinion that consideration should also be given to include amortization of air-pollution-abatement facilities. The recommendation as adopted by the board of directors in December 1953, is as follows: "POSITION ON AMORTIZATION OF POLLUTION-ABATEMENT FACILITIES "The conservation of water resources is of paramount importance to industry and to the Nation. Encouragement of increased efficiency in water use is a major contribution toward accomplishing this important objective. Since expenditures for water conservation and pollution-abatement facilities in most instances do not produce revenue, industry urges provision for sufficient deductions in computing income taxes to offset the cost of such nonrevenue-producing facilities within a 5-year period, if desired, rather than over the useful life of the facilities. "A similar policy should be followed with respect to expenditures for facilities to prevent air pollution because such expenditures are in the public interest but are not at present normally productive of revenue." We are hopeful that you will give the question of accelerated amortization for atmospheric pollution-abatement facilities your earnest consideration during your committee's deliberations on S. 2938. Sincerely yours, H. C. MCCLELLAN. CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE, CALIF., SENATOR CAPEHART, Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SENATOR: We heartily endorse your amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954-S. 2938. While the problems which your bill seeks to alleviate are not critical in our area, there is a strong possibility that they will become so with the advent of more industries. We are fully cognizant of the air-pollution problems in the metropolitan areas in California and realize something must be done to correct this situation. We certainly hope that this legislation will pass. Sincerely yours, CLARENCE A. HIGGINS, Mayor. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, CITY OF PASADENA, Pasadena 1, Calif., March 25, 1954. Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. MY DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: We have just been informed that you will introduce and sponsor an amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954 which will materially aid in the elimination and control of air pollution. May we take this opportunity to reflect our wholehearted support for such an amendment. Due to our geographical location we are one of the principal recipients of the smog originating in the great industrial areas of Los Angeles County. The situation has become absolutely intolerable and must be immediately corrected. We are positive that every citizen of our community will be most grateful to you for any legislation which will aid and assist in the eradication of air pollution. Yours very sincerely, Senator HOMER E. CAPEHART, DON C. MCMILLAN, City Manager. CITY OF PERRIS, Perris, Calif., April 8, 1954. Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SIR: The Council of the City of Perris, at their April meeting, voted to go on record at definitely supporting your amendment, S. 2938, aimed at facilitating the prevention and control of air pollution. We are well aware that air pollution has become a serious problem in some areas of the State and even in certain sections of the southeastern part. We realize the damage this blight can do to plants and vegetation of all kinds in an agricultural and horticultural community, as well as retarding the development of homes. We are highly in favor of any legislation that will assist in eliminating this scourge to health, business, and agriculture. Sincerely yours, Senator HOMER E. CAPEHART, M. B. MARTIN, Clerk, City Council, City of Perris. CITY OF PHOENIX, Chairman, Banking and Currency Committee DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: Please add the wholehearted support of the city of Phoenix to your proposed amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954 to provide for the rapid amortization of air-pollution-control facilities. We in Phoenix believe that now is the time in our rapidly growing community to take steps which will minimize air pollution as industrial development expands and thus avoid the conditions which have grown up in other industrial areas of the country. This situation applies, of course, to much of the expanding western economy. We appreciate very much your interest in this problem and will be more than happy to lend any support that we can. Sincerely yours, FRANK G. MURPHY, Mayor. |