244 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL

 Senator VANDENBE G. But your ratio is not approved in any official
report by the Board of Rivers and Harbors Engineers; is that
correct?
 Mr. BUCKMAN. By the Board of Rivers and Harbors Engineers;
that is correct.
 Senator VAND4ENBm. All right. That is what I wanted to know.
 Mr. BUCKMAN. But the basis of cost for the ratio is the same basis,
and the ultimate authority for the ratio is the same ultimate authority
as for the others.
 Senator VANDENBEG. We disagree on that, and we will not argue
it any further.
 The CHAIRMAN. Now, I should like to know whether these are your
 own figures or not.
 Mr. BUCKMAN. That is my set-up, sir. There is not a figure there
 that has not been derived from the official reports of the Department.
 Senator VANDENBERO. You see, with great respect, I am differen-
 tiating between the reports of the Rivers and Harbors Engineers and
 the P. W. A. and W. P. A.
 Mr. BUCKMAN. That is entirely understandable.
 Senator VANDENmBEG. Because I think one is professional and the
 other is political.
 Mr. BUCKMAN. The soundness of the above conclusions is en-
 hanced by the fact that the figures do not include any benefits result-
 ing from stimulation of commerce and shipping; adjustment of
 freight rates and mail subsidies; reduction in hazards to shipping
 during hurricane season; increased earning power of ships due to the
 shorter time required to make the voyage; and the very real value of
 the project as a factor in the national defense.
 The CHAIRMAN. Do you contend that there would be a stimulation
 of commerce
 Mr. BUCKMAN. I do not contend it, but the Department reports
 refer to it.
 The CHAIRMAN. Do you think there would be ?
 Mr. BUCKMAN. I think there would be.
 The CHAIRAN. Tell me how.
 Mr. BUCKMAN. I think when you shorten trade routes you always
 stimulate trade.
 The CHAIRMAN. Would it help Florida?
 Mr. BUCKMAN. I think it would help Florida in a secondary way,
 but Florida would certainly not be the chief beneficiary of this canal.
 The CHAIR~M Would it be benefited by the canal?
 Mr. BUCKMAN. Oh, yes; I think it would, undoubtedly.
 The CHAIRMAN. Would there be any detrimental effects upon
 Florida, I mean insofar as trade and commerce are concerned
 Mr. BUCKMAN. I think of none.
 The CHAIMAN. Does your whole State agree to that?
 Mr. BUCKMAN. No. I think there is a division in the State as
 regards the effect of the canal on the water supply.
 The CHAIRMAN. No. I am not speaking of that. I am speaking
 now about trade and commerce.
 Mr. BUCKMAN. That I could not answer, Senator. I do not know
 of any objection on the basis of harming the trade of Florida or
 the business of Florida.