DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL 87
 WAR DEPARTMENT.
 OFCmCE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEEmS,
 Washington, August 21, 1933.
Hon. DUNCAN U. FLErCHeI.
 United States Senate, Washington, D. C.
 MY DEAR SENATO: I am in receipt of your letter of August 17, in which you
enclosed for my consideration, a telegram from Mr. F. M. Traynor, president,
chamber of commerce, Tampa, Fla., asking that the economic possibilities of
the routes listed below for Florida cross-State canal, be surveyed; and by your
reference of August 18 1983, of a copy of a letter dated August 16 from Mr.
Nat G. Walker, chairman, public works, Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, in
further reference to this matter:
 1. From mouth of Alafla River, Tampa Bay, across State east to Cape
 Canaveral or Fort Pierce.
 2. Up Hillsborough River from Hillsborough Bay and across State north and
 east to Cape CanaveraL
 3. Up Hillsborough River from Hillsborough Bay north and east to St. Johhs
 River at or near city of Sanford.
 A special board of engineers, after careful study of the possible routes from
 an engineering and economic standpoint, has determined that the best route
 for the cross-State canal is to the north of the routes proposed in Mr. Traynor's
 telegram.
 As I wrote you on August 9, the findings of the board are so conclusive that I
 do not consider the large cost of surveying additional routes justified at the
 present time, especially in view of the need of conserving available funds to
 meet the needs urgently required in the interests of commerce and navigation.
 Very truly your,
 Lryu BRown.
 Major General, Chief of Angineers.



 DOCUMENT NO. 37 (FILES OF THE P. W. A.), SEPTEMEBER 15, 1933

 PROBABLY E UE OF CANAL BY SHIPS--LETrE FROM DR. EMORY JOHN-
 SON, FORMER SPECIAL COMMISSIONER OF THE PANAMA CANAL TO
 GEN. CHARGE P. SUMMERALL UNDER DATE OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1933

 The following letter was submitted to the Administration of
 Public Works by the Ship Canal Authority of the State of Florida
 as evidence in the matter of the use of the canal by ships and the
 probable tolls which might be collected.
 UNj Rasrr or PNINSLVAMIA,
 Philadelphia, Pa., September 15, 1933.
 Gen. CHABzs P. SvMMx=AL,
 Chairman, the Ship Canal Authority of the State of Florida,
 Talahassee, Fla.

 MY Dman GzNrA., SUxx MB ,: In reply to your inquiry as.to the probable
 total tolls which might be collected from shipping using the proposed Trans-
 Florida Ship Canal one may say that generally speaking experience has shown
 that a ship will use the route offering the greatest advantages, all things consid-
 ered. Such advantages will include: (1) savings due to lowered operating and
 fixed charges resulting from reduction in time required for the voyage; (2)
 the time thus saved, which may enable vessels to make additional voyages
 each year and thus add to the earnings derived from the capital invested in
 terminals and floating equipment; (3) miscellaneous advantages, including
 greater safety of navigation; the greater inducement which may be offered to
 shippers and passengers because of the obvious advantages to them of the
 shorter time in transit.
 For the use of a shorter and safer route, vessel owners will, tf required,
 unquestionably pay what can thereby be saved in operating expenses and fixed
 charges. The history of all canals is proof of this.
 The advantages listed in (2) and (3)-the possibility of larger annual
 earnings from capital invested in facilities, the greater safety of the proposed