104 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL

Florida to the Rio Grande, tapping the vast Mississippi system. This new
link would connect the two.
 The vast amount of money being poured out by our Government for rehabili-
tation gives a splendid opportunity for the construction of this canaL The
Public Works Authority has stated that the building of this canal is an "eco-
nomic necessity to the Nation." Our President has indicated his interest, and
construction at this time would be a lasting monument to him and serve also
as a constant reminder to future generations of his service to the Nation as its
Chief Executive.
 The canal fills every requirement. It has passed every test. Why not let
the work commence?
 How a Florida canal would expedite coastwise shipping is evident from a
glance at the map.

DOCUMENT NO. 47 (FILES OF NATIONAL RIVERS AND HARBORS
 CONGRESS), MAY 11, 1934

ACrION BY THE NATIONAL RIVERS AND HARBORS CONGRESS AT WASH-
 INGTON, MAY 11, 1934

 The National Rivers and Harbors Congress, at its annual conven-
 tion in Washington on May 11, 1934, adopted the following resolu-
 tion:
 We endorse and urge the completion of the intracoastal canal system, includ-
 ing the connection of the Gulf system with that of the Atlantic seaboard, and
 that the individual waterways comprising the system be constructed or en-
 larged to such dimensions as will most economically serve the water-borne
 traffic which might advantageously make use of them.


 DOCUMENT NO. 48 (FILES OF SHIP CANAL AUTHORITY OF STATE OF
 FLORIDA), MAY 23, 1934

 COMMUNICATION FROM SENATOa FLBzCHE TO THE PRESIDENT
 On May 28, 1984, acting on behalf of the Senators of all the Gulf
 States, Senator Fletcher addressed the following communication to
 the President:
 MAY 23, 1934.
 Hon. PsFIXR D. Roosav.T,
 The President.
 Mr Dmua Ma Paumasar: On behalf of the Senators of the Gulf States and
 Florida, I wish to thank you for your appointment of a special board to review
 the trans-Florida ship-canal project.
 We all believe that the canal is one of the most appropriate and useful
 public works which the Government can undertake. Its immediate widespread
 benefits both to labor and Industry, and to commerce in the long run, are not
 questioned. That it will ultimately justify any cost estimate yet arrived at Is
 not seriously disputed. On all these fundamental points there is a unanimity of
 thought throughout the country. You are, no doubt, aware of the extent to
 which the press in all sections is reflecting this opinion. The essential sound-
 ness and common sense of the project has appealed to the people in general.
 I think it can be truthfully said that of all the individual projects approved by
 or pending before the Administration of Public Works the Florida canal Is
 generally recognized as the most national in character and most appropriately
 fitted to the accomplishment of the recovery aims of your program.
 The work of the special board of review in determining the approximate true
 cost of the project should not be a task requiring any great length of time, in
 view of the wealth of available data.
 The following aspects of this project make it worthy of prompt and favorable
 consideration:
 1. Its benefits are national, affecting favorably the commerce of practically
 every State of the Nation.