214 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL

 Which would indicate that they are still not satisfied that they
have answered the problem.
 Senator FLM~ICEa That was made while this investigation was
under way, and this has been submitted since that letter.
 Senator VANDENBE B. What is the date of this report
 Senator FiLECHER. December 18, 1935.
 The CHAIaMA. This letter which I have in my hand, and signed
by Mr. Slattery, quotes from the Geological Survey and speaks first
of the Ocala limestone as being that spongelike structure which
catches the rain water, and that from that limestone these channels
go out to carry the ground water.
 Then he makes particular reference to the fact-and I quote:
 Large springs rise from it, and its numerous wells derive their supplies from
it. Within a few miles of the proposed route of the canal is Silver Spring, dis-
charging about 500,000,000 gallons a day, approximately the amount of water
used by New York City.
 Now, of course, that water goes off to supply the ground waters of
Florida. That is the thing that distresses me. I am not worried
about the navigational features, not worried as much perhaps as I
should be about the economic features of the case, but I am worried
about the effect on the ground waters of southern Florida by the
cutting of this deep canal.
 Senator F~LEHEm. May I say, Mr. Chairman, the plans contem-
plate-and anyone can see those plans-a dam at Silver Spring that
will hold that water where there will be no danger of emptying into
springs.
 The CHIRMAN. Yes, but that will hold it north of the canal.
 I have received this morning telegrams from our neighbors down
in Florida, from the Bradenton citrus growers and the central-south
Florida water conservation committee, and the Water Conservationo
League of Manatee County, and from others, expressing their great
anxiety over the possibility of the ground waters of Florida being
either cut off or else contaminated by sea water which would seep
into the channels if they were opened by reason of cutting the canal
to a depth of 30 feet below sea level.
 Senator VNDENBEmG. For whatever they are worth, those tele-
grams ought to go in the record.
 The CHAIMAN. I am not so sure. We have only heard our Chief
of Army Engineers, and we are quizzing Mr. Ickes this morning, and
so far, as chairman of the committee, I have consistently refused to
receive testimony from outside. I only refer to these letters to show
that the anxiety I have as a part-time Floridian living in the terri-
tory which, if his report is true, would be affected, is with regard to
the ground waters being contaminated. I have some anxiety about
it. But anyhow, it is a matter which to my mind is the crux of the
whole thing. Mr. Ickes has disposed of the matter so far as his posi-
tion is concerned, that economically he did not feel it was justified.
So the Army engineers have proceeded, the appropriation has been
made by the President, but the question which arises in my mind is,
How safe is it to proceed below a lock canal I would not have any
serious objection myself to a lock canal across Florida if we have the
money to pay for it, but I want to be satisfied myself that a large
area of the State is not going to be badly damaged by reason of the
project.