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3 Congressman McCloskey stated that the prestige of the Legislators ' offices might lend some weight in advocacy at some stage of the proceedings , in the event hearings are conducted . He stated further that , from an engineering standpoint , Mr . Moore was the City ' s best advocate . Mr . Hinson noted the effect on the economy because of suspension of Redwood Shores development , including losses to the building trades , tax revenues , etc . , and again noted that if earthquake insurance guaranteeing 95% of home loans is obtained , building should be able to continue . He noted that the owners knew about earthquake hazards in Shores when they purchased their homes , and that they don ' t need federal " help " as the owners are ready to purchase such insurance . Congressman McCloskey responded that he recognizes the impact on the building industry and the desperate need for housing , but that the Government must still weigh the decision of whether to allow building in particular areas . He further stated that the problem of FHA approvals might not have arisen had FHA waited a year for the reports , instead of proceeding without them . Mr . Degenkolb noted that the theories of damping versus amplification of seismic motion is a ghost which should be laid to rest , that amplification is considered the rule , but he noted further that discussions of factors of amplification should recognize that other approved building areas ( such as Stanford University ) would be equally as affected as construction areas on Bay mud ; that it is inappropriate to single out one area as an example of unconsolidated ground . He noted that with regard to points of disagreement between experts , the greatest item lacking is good records of earthquakes . Mr . Degenkolb then stated that with regard to an earlier question "Where do we go next ? " that while he believed the USGS to be the greatest geological organization in the world , that also one could probably not anticipate a closer approach to a quantative evaluation of risk on the basis of investigation which might be conducted in the future , than was available five years ago . He noted that good strong motion records from a major earthquake , derived from instruments on site , would not be available until Mother Nature accomodated us with a strong earthquake , and if it is intended to interpret risk in quantative terms , such will not be possible until such time as an earthquake actually occurs . Mr . August Schilling , President of Leslie Salt Company , expressed appreciation to Council and the Legislative representatives for the opportunity to be heard , and thereafter reviewed the initial stages of the planning for Redwood Shores , including the Feasibility Study by DMJM , and emphasized the consideration of safety factors . He noted that the subject of seismic hazards was from the beginning considered to be of such importance that a Seismic Review Board was established , which represented a pioneering approach , to assure future residents of Redwood Shores- that they would be no less safe than other residents of Redwood City . He continued that the work was compiled in good faith and based on the best available information possible , and thus it is a shock to those concerned to now have their work questioned . He stated JV 24 '69