226 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL
classes of skilled and unskilled labor; that the design is in accord with sound
engineering practice; and that the project is economically sound. It is recom-
mended that the loan with or without the grant be made.
 The CHAIRMAN. Now, whose report was that
 Mr. BucKxxx. That was the report of the engineering division of
 the Public Works Administration.
 The CnArMAN. And the date of that is what
 Mr. BucxwAN. October 19, 1933.
 Senator VANDENBUmG. And do I understand that was based on a
 contemplated collection of tolls?
 Mr. BUCxMAN. Yes, Senator.
 Senator VANDENBERO. It was?
 Mr. BucKMAN. That was based upon a collection of tolls.
 Senator VANDENBRG. Was it based on an 8-cent toll ?
 Mr. BUCKMAN. No. I think it was based on a considerably higher
 toll. In other words, you recall the figures read from that report that
 their engineers computed that they could collect a cash toll of
 $6,500,000 per year.
 Senator VANDENBERG. Yes. Do you know what the rate was that
 that was computed at?
 Mr. BUCKMAN. I have an idea it was about 17 cents, but I am not
 quite sure.
 On December 30, 1933, the special board of survey of the Corps
 of Engineers completed its work and made its final report. The
 examination made by the special board included an exhaustive
 economic survey made by the Department of Commerce at the re-
 quest of the Chief of Engineers.
 The CHarwAN. What date was that
 Mr. BUCKo AN. December 30 1933. This report of the Public
Works Administration which I have just quoted was on October 19,
1933.
 That report was based upon examination of the project as a river
 and harbor project, without reference to its self-liquidating possi-
bilities. Its findings with regard to traffic which might be served
by the canal, and the general benefits to commerce, were in substan-
tial agreement with the findings of the engineers of the Public
Works Administration; but owing to different design and specifica-
tions and unit costs, the lock canal covered by that report showed
an estimated cost at considerable variance with the costs developed
by the engineers of the Public Works Administration.
 In the first part of 1934, in response to a request made by all the
Senators of the States of Texas, Louisiana--
 Senator VANDNiBEni. Excuse me Mr. Buckman. Before you leave
the report of the Department of Commerce, I find this sentence in
the report of the Department of Commerce which I would like to
have you comment on:
 The consensus of opinion of that part of the shipping industry with which
contact has been established in the preparation of this study appears to be
that the probable cost of the building of the projected waterway is not Justified
through any beneft which might thereby accrue to the cargo or the vessel.
 Mr. BU CMAN. Senator, I will welcome the opportunity to com-
ment on that a little later in this discussion.
 Senator VANDawmN Oh, very well.