Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE, Chairman, Senate Banking and Currency Committee, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: While this board cannot speak officially for the city of Portland, as the only agency in the city to administer the smoke-abatement program, the board wishes to express support for your proposed amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954 to provide for the rapid amortization of air pollution control facilities built in conformance with State and/or local law, including a program to insure loans to corporations or individuals to construct such facilities. The members of the board feel that such legislation would produce a strong incentive for property owners to make improvements in cases where their facilities are plaguing the community. The board has two suggestions-that the provisions for rapid amortization be expanded to include all air-pollution control and smoke-abatement facilities whether built to conform with law or not; and that a program be set up to benefit mercantile and industrial establishments as well as those which are purely housing. The first suggestion is because the smoke-abatement program in this city is not compulsory, but voluntary and cooperative, and seems to be working out well for a comparatively small city where the problem has not become intense. The second suggestion is because most of the troubles here and probably in most cities come from industry and mercantile establishments rather than housing. Very truly yours, Senator HOMER E. CAPEHART, WARREN MCDONALD, Secretary. CITY OF PORTERVILLE, Porterville, Calif., April 2, 1954. Chairman, Senate Banking and Currency Committee, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: The city of Porterville is interested in the status of the bills before the Senate Banking and Currency Committee on loans to municipalities. Any information given us will be appreciated. DEAR SENATOR KUCHEL: The city of Richmond regards air-pollution control bill S. 2938 as beneficial to our people, our economy, and to the city as a whole. Richmond is 1 of 2 California cities whose economy is basically manufacturing. We have had years and years of experience with the factors of industrialization that are detrimental to good living conditions. In our area, we have seen examples of people moving because of fumes, odors, and smoke, leaving conditions of blight in certain residential areas. In other cases, we have seen nursery bedding plants completely ruined; painted surfaces on residences blistered and spotted; wash ruined by sinoke stains; an entire area covered with a fine layer of dust; and a complete neighborhood area nauseated. For the welfare of the people, every effort should be made for the judicious control of air pollution. The health, well-being, and living conditions of children, their families, and the economy of the community should not be sacrificed any longer. The city of Richmond respectfully urges the passage of this vital legislation. Very truly yours, W. THOMPSON, RICHMOND, CALIF. Senator THOMAS H. KUCHEL, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C.: The Richmond Chamber of Commerce urges passage of air-pollution control bill S. 2938. This program of research and financial assistance will improve the living conditions, welfare, and economic well-being of the citizens of our community. R. P. COPELAND, President, Richmond Chamber of Commerce. LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo., April 2, 1954. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, Senator from Indiana, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR: Please be advised that the League of Municipalities of St. Louis County, Mo., comprising the above-named cities and villages of the county, after due consideration have approved your amendment to the administration's housing bill (S. 2938). Air pollution is a matter which should interest all city and Federal housing agencies, and you have our wholehearted support. Respectfully submitted. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, ORLIE F. UNDERWOOD, CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, United States Senator, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: In the March edition of the Washington Municipal News, I notice that you have introduced an amendment to your bill, S. 2938 (The administration's Housing Act of 1954) to provide tax relief for the construction of air-pollution-control facilities. Likewise proposed is a Federal FHA or FNMA insurance program for loans to construct such facilities. Your proposal also calls for an adequately financed air-pollution-research program. I also note the bill is now in committee and will be considered in executive session about the 19th of April. Since our community is vitally concerned with the passage of this amendment, will you be so kind as to advise us as to how we may assist in bringing this bill to a conclusion. We would also appreciate receiving any pertinent information regarding this bill and amendment. Very truly yours, GEORGE C. BLAIR, Mayor. THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, April 8, 1954. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: The San Diego City Council has asked me to write you expressing the city's strong support of S. 2938. We believe that this amendment to the Housing Act of 1954 will greatly facilitate the prevention and control of air pollution. Here in San Diego we have an incipient smog problem, which we believe can be corrected through proper and timely legislation. Unless this air-pollution problem is corrected in its infancy, it can easily retard the orderly growth of our city and adversely affect public health, business, and agriculture. Sincerely, JOHN BUTLER. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., April 12, 1954. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, Chairman, Senate Banking Committee, Senate Office Building: This organization is comprised of representatives of counties, cities, labor, industry, agriculture, and education in nine county bay areas. We urge approval of air-pollution legislation now before banking and currency committee, particularly section providing for amortization deduction. FRANK E. MAarsh, Executive Vice President and General Manager, San Francisco Bay Area APRIL 13, 1954. IN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LEANDRO RESOLUTION No. 2321 Resolution urging adoption of Senate bill 2938; relating to air pollution "Whereas, the city of San Leandro, Alameda County, Calif., has been and now is one of the most rapidly growing communities in the United States, providing by such growth greatly needed industrial expansion and homes for the workers engaged in such industry; and "Whereas air pollution accompanying some types of industry causes serious blight, retards proper home development, tends to create slum conditions as well as adversely affecting health, business, and agriculture; and "Whereas Hon. Homer E. Capehart, chairman of the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, has sponsored an amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954, being Senate bill No. 2938, which provides (among other things): "(1) The rapid amortization of air-pollution-control facilities built in conformance with State or local laws; "(2) An FHA or FNMA program to insure loans to corporations or individuals to construct such facilities; and “(3) An appropriation for research in the field of air-pollution control. Now, therefore, the City Council of the City of San Leandro does resolve, That the city council respectfully urges the passage by the Congress of the United States of this most needed legislation." Introduced by Councilman Swift and passed and adopted this 5th day of April 1954, by the following called vote: Ayes: Councilmen : Ballini, Cannissaro, Swift, Vlahos, Dunnigan (5). DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: This letter is written in support of the legislation you are sponsoring (S. 2938) to provide a practical approach to the alleviation of air pollution. The 13,000 residents of this community, a suburb of Los Angeles and adjacent to Pasadena, are deeply concerned about the health menace and the effect on property values that a continuation of air pollution will create. We agree with the policy supported by the American Municipal Association which recognizes that air pollution causes serious blight; retards proper subdivision development and home building; leads to the creation of slum conditions; and adversely affects health, business, and agriculture. You are therefore urged to continue your efforts to obtain enactment of the bill you have introduced, and please be assured of our commendation for this constructive action. Sincerely, C. E. MARTIN, City Manager. Hon. THOMAS H. KUCHEL, The United States Senate, Washington, D. C. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, DEAR SIR: At its April 6, 1954, meeting, the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo adopted its resolution No. 8195 endorsing Senate bill 2938 (Capehart) and Senate bill 3115 (Kuchel), both relating to air pollution and presently under consideration by the United States Senate, and directed this office transmit to you certified copy of such resolution for your consideration in connection with legislation on the serious and pressing problem of air-pollution control. Very truly yours, JOHN A. BRUNING, RESOLUTION No. 8195, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA-RESOLUTION ENDORSING SENATE BILL 2938 (CAPEHART) AND SENATE BILL 3115 (KUCHEL), BOTH RELATING TO AIR POLLUTION, AND PRESENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE UNITED STATES SENATE "Be it resolved by the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, that "Whereas air pollution in and around the bay area, as well as in other places in the United States, is becoming more and more serious; and "Whereas proper solutions to prevent or curtail the degree of air pollution have not been devised, and, where remedial steps may be taken, financial requirements on industrial plants are at times burdensome, if not imposible; and "Whereas in full recognition of these problems, Senator Homer E. Capehart, chairman of the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, has sponsored an amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954 which would, if enacted, greatly facilitate the prevention and control of air pollution by (1) the rapid amortization of air pollution control facilities built in conformance with State or local law; (2) an FHA or FNMA program to insure loans to corporations or individuals to construct such facilities; and (3) an appropriation for research in the field of air-pollution control; and "Whereas Senator Thomas Kuchel, of California, has also introduced legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code so as to provide rapid tax amortization for air-pollution-control facilities built by industries in accordance with State or local law; and "Whereas it is the sincere desire of this board of supervisors to obtain the utmost relief to the air-polution problem in this county, and the aforesaid legislation is designed to accomplish this purpose: Now, therefore, be it "Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo does hereby endorse United States Senate bill 2938 (Capehart) and United States Senate bill 3115 (Kuchel), and does further urge representatives of the State of California in Congress to diligently pursue the enactment of this legislation; be it further "Resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to Senator Homer E. Capehart, Senator Thomas Kuchel, Senator William Knowland, and to Senator Millikin, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and to Congressman J. Arthur Younger, and to the National Association of County Officials. "Regularly passed and adopted this 6th day of April, 1954. "Ayes, and in favor of said resolution, supervisors: Thomas J. Callan, M. A. Poss, W. M. Werder, Alvin S. Hatch, E. R. McDonald. "Noes, and against said resolution, supervisors: None. "Absent supervisors: None. Attest: [SEAL] M. A. Poss, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, County of San Mateo, State of California. JOHN A. BRUNING, Clerk of said Board of Supervisors. CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, CALIF., Subject: Air pollution-S. 2938. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, 241 Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR CAPEHART: The City Council of the City of San Rafael wishes to express its support of Senate bill 2938. It is our understanding that you have sponsored this amendment to the administration's Housing Act of 1954 and it is also our understanding that the amendment would provide for rapid amortization of air pollution control facilities, an FHA or FNMA program to insure loans for the construction of such facilities, and appropriation for air pollution research. We wish to compliment you on your vision in introducing such a measure. You are well aware, of course, that this legislation is consistent with the national policy adopted by the American Municipal Association. There is little doubt that air pollution sets up a hazard to the public health and welfare of any community. The city of San Rafael is situated on the north side of the San Francisco Bay and is just beginning to feel the effect of air pollution. While air pollutants do not originate in our own city of San Rafael, under particular meteorological conditions the air surrounding this city does become polluted to a certain degree. While this problem might not be severe at the moment, there is every possibility that it might become so in the future. It is our experience that air pollution, or smog as we call it in California, can hamper subdivision development and the construction of homes, as well as creating a blight situation in developed areas. To this date air pollution control in the San Francisco Bay area has been on a voluntary basis. The city council feels that Senate bill 2938 will greatly accelerate any voluntary program. Very truly yours, WILBER SMITH, City Manager. CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA, OFFICE OF CITY CLERK, South Pasadena, Calif., April 13, 1954. Hon. HOMER E. CAPEHART, United States Senator, Senate Office Building, Washington 25, D. C. DEAR SIR: I am enclosing certified copy of Resolution No. 2818 which was adopted by the City Council of the City of South Pasadena on April 7, 1954. This resolution favors passage of United States Senate bills 2938 and 3115 which pertain to air pollution control. Yours very truly, MARJORIE MERRITT, City Clerk. RESOLUTION No. 2818 RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH PASADENA FAVORING THE PASSAGE OF UNITED STATES SENATE BILLS 2938 AND 3115 "Whereas there is pending before the Congress of the United States S. 3115, which would provide for a 60-month rapid 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 S, 2938 which, in addition to the accelerated writeoff provision, also would authorize insurance of loans to corporations or individuals to construct or install air pollution control facilities and an appropriation for research in the field of airpollution control; and "Whereas air pollution is going to retard the growth and development of South Pasadena and is injurious to the health and well-being of the citizens of this community. "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 since that date has been and now is actively engaged in that work; and |