DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL


 SarLea Mv a D INTO THB GBOUPB
 It may be as well to repeat here that the savings to a ship using the canal
may be set up in three groups, as follows:
 A. Savings in money: These are the actual savings in operating cost and fixed
charges represented by the hours saved.
 B. Saving of the time itself. As will be shown, this time will be reflected
in additional voyages, the profit on which may equal or exceed the money repre-
sented by A.
 C. Miscellaneous savings and advantages, some of which are determinate,
and others indeterminate, but all of which may be real and important. They
comprise (a) betterment of competitive position, (b) reserve fleet capital sav-
ings, (o) stimulation of exchange of water-borne freight by reason of shorter
schedules, (d) stimulation of passenger traffic, (e) greater freedom from hazard
due to safer and shorter roets.
 It will be seen that A represents calculable magnitudes which may be com-
pated with all necessary precision. The values of B, while of great importance,
are bound to fluctuate, and to vary with each owner. C comprises items most
of which are incalculable but none the les real and valuable.
 It may be taken for granted that an owner will route his vessels to his
greatest advantage, and that he will seek any real net advantage no matter
whether small or great Experience as well as common sense indicates that if
the canal toll were equivalent to the values represented by A the owner would
of necessity pay it In order to secure to himself the advantages of B and C.
That it will not be necessary for the canal to charge a toll equivalent to the
total of A is beside the point for the immediate discussion. Such a toll, mani-
festly, could be charged and leave such substantial benefits to shipping as to
cause them to bear the toll and use the canal.


DOCUMENT NO. 24 (FILES OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS), FEBRUARY
 10, 1933

APPEARANCE or CErAIN RAILnOAD INTEREST IN OPPosITIoN BEOREo
 THF SPECIAL BOABD

Report of proceedings of hearings held at Jacksonville, Fla., by the special board
 of Army engineer officers in charge of the survey for the Gulf-Atlantic ship
 canal, under date of February 10, 1938

 The following is extracted from the stenographic report of the
above hearing:
 The hearing was called to order by CoL T. H. Jackson, senior member of the
board, at 10:30 a. m. Other members of the board present were Lt. Col.
Warren T. Hannum, Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, La.; Lt CoL Robert S.
Thomas, Corps of Engineers, Mobile, Ala.; Maj. C. Garlington, Corps of Engi-
neers, Savannah, Ga.; Maj. B. C. Dunn, Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Fla.;
and Maj. R. A. Sharrer, Corps of Engineers, Montgomery, Ala. In addition
there were approximately 50 persons present representing the different inter-
ests-representatives of railroads, local Florida engineers, etc.
 Colonel JAcxKso. This meeting has been called primarily at the request of
certain railroad interests who desire to present certain data to be heard. Mr.
Kay is going to conduct the presentation, and I would suggest that those of you
called upon to address the board sit down by the side of the stenographer in
order to make it easy for him to hear all that is to be said.
 Mr. W. E. KAY, general solicitor, Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, Jacksonville,
 Fla. Chairman and gentlemen of the board, at the hearing called, as you have
stated, it is our thought that after the objections have been recorded and the
representatives of the lines here have presented their talks in opposition to what
is desired by the promoters of the cross-State canal that we will introduce
testimony which will follow more particularly along the lines of the construc-
tion features, supplementing it with certain thoughts as to navigability of the
canal if constructed; then, requesting the board that further time be allowed
to the objectors after having been supplied with the arguments on the traffic