DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL 257

cargo carried in this coastwise trade does not exceed $5 per ton, for a voyage of
approximately 2,000 miles; and standard commodities such as flour, rice, paper,
etc., are carried 2,000 miles fbr an average of $3 to $3.50 per ton.
 It would therefore appear that it would be an encouragement to coastwise
shipping if the canal were operated as a toll-free proposition.
 Senator VANDENBERB. Mr. Buckman, inasmuch as we are dealing
with a pretty important subject, and it involves a lot of money even
in this day, what would you think of the idea of asking a half a dozen
of these gentlemen who said yes in 1933 and no in 1935. to testify and
find out just what they think, and why they think it?
 Mr. BUCKMAN. Personally, it would not make any difference so
far as I am concerned. I think they have impeached themselves and
given reasons for it. I take it if they gave one opinion today and
another opinion tomorrow it would not be worth anything.
 Senator VANDENBERG. Why? While the lamp holds out the sinner
may return.
 Mr. BUCKMAN. Yes; he may, but I would not base my investment
upon a sinner's return.
 From the Kellogg Steamship Corporation, 17 Battery Place, New
York City, under date of May 20, 1933, signed by R. A. Murphy,
treasurer.
 We are very much interested in the proposed trans-Florida ship canal outlined
in your letter of May 9, 1933, and the enclosed map of one of the suggested loca-
tions.
 As we see it, this canal would make possible a saving for our vessels of about
1 day's steaming time in each direction between Atlantic and Gulf ports. Our
vessels do not operate regularly in this trade, but have been making a substan-
tial number of voyages a year-which would benefit from the proposed canal.
 In our opinion, the possible saving, the value of which varies w.th existing
conditions, is not sufficient to warrant the imposition of tolls. We would, there-
fore, endorse the project if the canal be made toll-free after completion.
 That such testimony cannot safely be and is not used as a guide to
the economic justification of such a project is clearly stated by the
Chief of Engineers as follows: I quote from Exhibit F-la, which has
been introduced into the record [reading]:
 You refer to my appearance before the subcommittee of the Committee on
Commerce on January 17, in which certain questions were asked with respect
to the replies received from shipping concerns to a questionnaire sent out by the
special board of this Department in connection with their investigation, and
asked if these letters were used to establish the economic justification of the
project, and further as to the usual factors which are studied in determining
economic justification. This Department has not stated that the replies to these
questionnaires represented the economic justification for the canal project, nor
are such letters generally used for the establishment of economic justification.
The special board of Army engineers made an extensive economic survey, and
was aided in the preparation of its report. by an independent survey undertaken
by the Department of Commerce at the request of the Chief of Engineers. The
determination of the special board with respect to the economic benefits of the
project were based in large part on these surveys.
 The letters to which you refer are some of the replies to questionnaires ad-
dressed by the special board to shipping concerns, so that it might be informed
as to their opinions with respect to the effect of the project on the individual
interests of the companies concerned. In determining the economic justifica-
tion of a proposed river and harbor improvement, the investigating officers
ascertain the definite savings in time and distance which will be made avail-
able to navigation without increased hazards as a result of the improvement in
question. These savings in time and distance converted into monetary savings
and such other incidental benefits as clearly accrue to water-borne commerce
and the general public interest, such as a reduction in the hazards of naviga-
tion, form the basis for the determination of the economic justification of a