I would not presume to suggest to you a course of action in connection with this bill. My only concern is as to the effect upon Virginia economy which the conditions referred to above may have and that is a matter of vital interest to all of us.

I am sure you will carefully consider this situation and be governed by what you believe to be the best interest of Virginia and the Nation. With my personal regards and best wishes to each of you, I am, Cordially yours,

JOHN S. BATTLE.

NORTON, VA., April 16, 1953.

Hon. WILLIAM WAMPLER,

Congressman, Ninth District, House Office Building,

Washington, D. C.

DEAR MR. WAMPLER: The importation and dumping of residual fuel oil upon the American market is having a disastrous effect upon the coal industry and is of particular interest to all the coal miners of our country.

Consequently House bill 4294, which was introduced by Congressman Simpson of Pennsylvania, is being watched with particular interest by the coal miners of this country.

I know that, from past statements, you are interested in the passage of House bill 4294, and I feel that we can depend upon you to exert your influence and use your prestige in having the above-mentioned bill enacted into law.

Your help and assistance in the passage of the Simpson bill will certainly be appreciated by the members of our organization in district 28.

Very truly yours,

ALLEN CONDRA, President, District 28, U. M. W. A.

[Telegram]

NORTON, VA.

Hon. WILLIAM C. WAMPLER,

House Office Building, Washington, D. C.: During the past 12 months approximately 200 miners within the area of this association have lost employment. Working time of the remainder has been reduced 30 percent and production has declined 25 percent. Similar conditions prevail on other sections of the Virginia mining districts. The large contributing factor responsible for these most unsatisfactory conditions can be attributed to the increased importation from foreign countries of residual fuel oil which continues to increase without abatement. This condition not only applies to Virginia mines but to various other mining areas. It is seriously affecting our economic condition during the past year. Mines in our area have been forced to suspend operations because of this unfair competition and we see no hope for betterment unless Congress acts without undue delay to impose restrictions on the limitations of the excessively high amount of residual oil now causing this unfair competition to our operating mining companies. The members of the Virginia Coal Operators Association respectfully request your support, influence and aid in the enactment of proper laws for the protection of the local mining industry.

VIRGINIA COAL OPERATORS ASSOCIATION. By GEORGE H. ESSER, President.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GRUNDY ROTARY CLUB, GRUNDY, VA.,

FEBRUARY 23, 1953

Whereas it has been brought to the attention of the Grundy Rotary Club the serious effects being wrought upon the economy of a large portion of Virginia, particularly the southwestern half, by the importation of residual oil from foreign countries. The extent of the seriousness the competition from this cheap oil is creating, particularly in the coal industry of our State, is clearly shown by statistics, which reveal the enormous increase in residual oil importation since 1946, having jumped from 44 million barrels in 1946 to 128 million in 1952, which has resulted in a staggering displacement of coal tonnage. In years past, however, the coal industry was able to absorb a portion of this displacement by

taking advantage of the European coal markets, but now, with that market fast fading away the disastrous effects of this cheap oil importation has become alarming indeed, and will, unless checked, seriously damage the economy of a large sector of our country. This serious situation is not only confined to the coal industry, with all its interlocking ramifications, but the oil industry of our country (domestic) is at stake, and when one major industry becomes sick it inevitably infects business and commerce generally: Therefore be it

Resolved, (1) That it is the considered judgment of this Rotary Club that it view with much concern these conditions and that it and each individual member thereof exercise all possible influence to bring about relief of this situation. (2) That the proper officers of this Rotary Club are hereby instructed to send a copy of this resolution to each member of Virginia's delegation in the United States Congress, with the urgent request that they do all in their power in support of legislation necessary to permanently correct and relieve this situation, giving their untiring efforts toward the passage of H. R. 2870, or any similar bill. Also that a copy be sent to each, the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Interior, and Tariff Commission of the United States, with request that proper regulations shall be made at once, proper duties promptly imposed and quotas established that may immediately correct the unfair competition with American products brought about by foreign importation of competitive products, said regulations, duties, and quotas to suffice until such time as proper remedial legislation may be effected. (3) That a copy of this resolution be sent to the district governor of Rotary International and to various local clubs in the 275th district of Rotary International.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE BLUEFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, BLUEFIELD, W. VA., FEBRUARY 10, 1953

Whereas during the last several years heavy importations of residual fuel oil from foreign countries has adversely and seriously affected the economy of West Virginia and Virginia, especially the bituminous-coal industry of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia. The situation has steadily grown worse and the bituminous-coal industry of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia is now in a critical condition. Coal mining provides employment for thousands of miners and railroaders living in Bluefield, W. Va., and vicinity, and is the economic lifeblood of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia. The importation of foreign residual fuel oil has thrown out of employment thousands of coal miners and railroad employees and has adversely and seriously affected many small enterprises wholly dependent for their prosperity upon the production and sale of coal; and

Whereas a few years ago New England consumed between 17 million and 18 million tons of southern coal annually, mostly low volatile, which is mined in the Bluefield, W. Va., area, but during the last several years the flood of foreign residual fuel oil has replaced nearly two-thirds of the southern coal which was formerly shipped to the New England States, said foreign oil being dumped in New England at prices with which southern coal could not possibly compete. Due to these importations of foreign oil and other economic conditions many mines in southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia have closed down and it is anticipated that during the year 1953 many other mines will close, causing incalculable damage to the coal miners, railroad employees, business enterprises, and the residents of this community; therefore be it Resolved, That the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce

First. Deplores and condemns the continued importations of foreign residual fuel oil at prices with which the bituminous-coal industry of West Virginia and Virginia cannot compete and urges each individual member of this chamber to exercise his influence in any way possible to relieve this situation.

Second. That a copy of this resolution shall be sent to each member of the West Virginia and Virginia delegations in the United States Congress with the request that proper legislation be enacted to relieve these deplorable conditions; that copies of said resolution shall also be sent to the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Interior, and the Tariff Commission of the United States. with the request that steps be taken immediately to remedy the situation and bring an end to the unfair competition brought about by the importation of cheap foreign residual fuel oil.

Third. That a copy of this resolution be sent to the State chamber of commerce and to the various local chambers and boards of trade throughout West Virginia.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY KIWANIS CLUB OF GRUNDY, VA., MARCH 6, 1953 Whereas the Kiwanis Club of Grundy, Va., is made up of citizens of the town of Grundy and the citizens of Buchanan County, Va.; and

Whereas the basic industry in said town and county is the mining of coal;

and

Whereas the livelihood of the citizens of the said town and county are dependent, directly or indirectly, upon the mining of said coal; and

Whereas the market for coal mined in said Buchanan County is at its lowest ebb in recent years; and

Whereas hundreds of laborers have been thrown out of work because of lack of a market for coal mined in Buchanan County; and

Whereas business has declined due to the fact that the aforementioned men are now unemployed; and

Whereas one of the reasons that the market for coal from Buchanan County has reached such a deplorable condition is that residual oil manufactured in other countries is being imported into this country duty free and placed into competition with our domestic fuels; and

Whereas it is our concerted opinion that one of the functions of our representatives in Congress is to protect our domestic industries: Now, therefore, be it Resolved

1. That each member of this club views with much concern the aforementioned facts and each member of this club hereby resolves to exercise their influence to relieve this situation.

2. That proper officers of this club are instructed to send copies of this resolution to each Member of the United States Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia. That additional copies be sent to each, the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Interior, and Tariff Commission of the United States.

3. That each member of this club humbly requests our delegation in Congress to see that proper legislative action be taken to protect the coal industry. 4. That copies of this resolution be spread upon the records of this club to show that we, the members of the Kiwanis Club of Grundy, Va., have gone on record as doing our share in trying to restore a vital industry to normalcy for the benefit of the people of Buchanan County who depend on the coal industry for their livelihood.

Attest:

J. M. STANLEY, President.

GOMER W. EVANS, Secretary.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE HAYSI, VA., KIWANIS CLUB

Whereas the Kiwanis Club of Haysi, Va., is made up of citizens of the town of Haysi and the citizens of Dickenson County, Va.; and

Whereas the basic industry in said town and county is the mining of coal; and Whereas the livelihood of the citizens of the said town and county are dependent, directly or indirectly, upon the mining of said coal; and

Whereas the market for coal mined in said Dickenson County is at its lowest ebb in recent years; and

Whereas hundreds of laborers have been thrown out of work because of lack of a market for coal mined in Dickenson County; and

Whereas business has declined due to the fact that the aforementioned men are now unemployed; and

Whereas one of the reasons that the market for coal from Dickenson County has reached such a deplorable condition is that residual oil manufactured in other countries is being imported into this country, duty free, and placed into competition with our domestic fuels; and

Whereas it is our concerted opinion that one of the functions of our Representatives in Congress is to protect our domestic industries: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, (1) That each member of the club views with much concern the aforementioned facts and each member of this club hereby resolves to exercise their influence to relieve this situation; (2) that proper officers of this club are instructed to send copies of this resolution to each Member of the United States Congress from the Commonwealth of Virginia; that additional copies be sent to each, the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Interior, and Tariff Commission of the United States; (3) that each member of this club humbly requests our delegation in Congress to see that proper legislative action be taken to protect

the coal industry; (4) that copies of this resolution be spread upon the records of this club to show that we, the members of the Kiwanis Club of Haysi, Va.. have gone on record as doing our share in trying to restore a vital industry to normalcy for the benefit of the people of Dickenson County who depend on the coal industry for their livelihood.

Attest:

CHARLES S. MILLER,

President.

H. CLAYTON DAVIS,
Secretary.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY BUCHANAN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, GRUNDY, Va.

This chamber is made up of 210 business and professional men of Buchanan County who are alert to the growth of this county and vitally interested in the well-being of its citizens. Realizing the importance of its basic industries which are coal and lumber and products derived from same, and further realizing the deplorab e condition fac.ng the coal industry in general and Buchanan County in particular due principally from competitive fuels, the principal one being cheap crude and residual oils being imported in large quantities, which have destroyed our markets for coal to a large degree, and further realizing the drop in production of coal in these United States, the shutting down of entire coal producing plants, the cutting down on personnel at plants trying to stay in business, the rise in unemployment throughout the entire coal producing areas, brings to this chamber who represent this county a serious problem and we join with others in presenting our views on the situation and trust a solution can soon be reached to save a vital basic industry. In doing so we present the following: "Whereas Buchanan County is located in the western part of the State of Virginia and is one of the six coal-producing counties within the State; and

"Whereas Buchanan County is underlaid with several seams of high-grade bituminous coal; and

"Whereas in the early 1930's men of vision from Buchanan and surrounding counties took their hard-earned cash and with the aid of the Norfolk & Western Railway Co., began to develop and market these coals; and

"Whereas Buchanan County has quadrupled in population in the past 25 years due to the development of its coal; and

"Whereas the entire population of this county is dependent either directly or indirectly upon the production of coal for their livelihood; and

"Whereas it is up to our Congressmen of these United States to set a quota on imported residual oil or ban the importation of residual oil altogether, or take the necessary steps to save this once prosperous basic industry: Therefore be it

"Resolved, (1) That it is the considered judgment of this chamber that it view with much concern these conditions and that it and each individual member thereof exercise their influence in any way possible to relieve this situation. (2) That the proper officers of the chamber are hereby instructed to send a copy of this resolution to each Member of the Virginia delegation in the United States Congress with the request that proper legislation be enacted to bring about permanent relief to the coal industry. That a copy be sent to each, the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Interior and the Tariff Commission of the United States. (3) That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the records of this chamber, to show that we, the members of Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce, have gone on record as doing our share in trying to restore a vital industry to normalcy for the benefit of all the people who depend on the coal industry for their livelihood."

The CHAIRMAN. Does that include your statement?

Mr. WAMPLER. That concludes my statement.

The CHAIRMAN. We thank you very much for your appearance and your fine presentation.

The next witness is the Honorable Richard H. Poff, of Virginia

STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD H. POFF, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF VIRGINIA

Mr. POFF. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Richard H. Poff. I have the honor of representing the people of the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia which comprises the 8 counties of Campbell, Bedford, Roanoke, Montgomery, Floyd, Craig, Botetourt, and Alleghany and the 4 cities of Lynchburg, Radford, Clifton Forge, and Roanoke.

By your leave, I appear to endorse the objective of section 13 of H. R. 4294. That objective, as I see it, is to equalize the competitive factor between a cheap foreign import and a basic domestic product. I am not personally qualified to say whether the proper method of achieving the objective is by way of increased tariff, by way of quota limitations or by way of a combination of the two. However, I am wholly convinced that the objective must be accomplished, and I am content to leave to the good judgment and broad experience of this committee the means by which it should be accomplished.

Primarily, the objective must be accomplished because it is in the interest of the national welfare and security. The unrestrained importation of foreign residual fuel oil is striking at the vitals of two of our Nation's most critical industries: Coal mining and rail transportation. This oil, which is used only in certain large industrial furnaces and cannot be used for home fuel, is a waste product produced by foreign interests by opportunist exploitation of cheap labor. For these reasons, the competitive factor between this oil and our domestic coal is unequal and unfair. Of course, our Nation's railroads which carry our coal are also indirectly but none the less seriously, threatened by this inequity.

In my Sixth Congressional District, this unfair foreign competition has already been keenly felt. The principal traffic of the three Pocahontas railroads-the Norfolk & Western, Virginian, and Chesapeake & Ohio-is bituminous coal, and the revenues of these carriers have already declined markedly due to the reduction in coal traffic occasioned by the dumping of foreign residual oil along our coast. This decline in revenue is of serious concern to my constituents, for the economy of my district is inseparably interrelated with the financial health of the Pocahontas railroads.

The Norfolk & Western general offices are located at Roanoke, as are the shops at which the railroad's motive power and many of its freight cars are fabricated. The Chesapeake & Ohio has extensive facilities, including yards and shops, at Clifton Forge, and the Virginian has a large yard at Roanoke.

All together, these railroads employ 10,957 persons within the sixth district alone, and out of a population of about 338,000 in that district, it is estimated that approximately 36,600 persons are directly supported by railroad wages. This is over 10 percent of our population, and it is impossible to calculate how many other businesses and how many other workers depend upon these railroad people as patrons and consumers. In short, railroading is the principal heavy industry of my district, and any decline in coal traffic is directly felt not only by railroad employees but by our farmers, grocery men, barbers, theater owners, retailers, and wholesalers, and those who depend upon them for their jobs.