DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL


267


 [Compiled in Senator Fletcher's office from subcommittee hearings, Feb. 28, 1936]
 THE FUrWIDA CANAL
DIGEST OF EVIDENCE SUSBMIwrD TO A SUBOOMMITWM OF THB SENATE COMMIIt
 ON COMMEBCm
 1. The following examinations of and reports on this project have been made
by agencies of the Federal Government:
 (a) War Department, Corps of aEgineers.-Complete physical and economic
surveys by a special board of survey, under the direction of the Chief of
Engineers, pursuant to the provisions of the River and Harbor Acts of 1927
and 1930.
 (b) Federal Andinistratio of Public Works.-An examination of the project
with a view to determining the justification of a loan for its construction, to
be repaid out of tolls to be collected from shipping.
 (o) A Board of Review, appointed by the President and representing the
Corps of Egineers and the Administration of Public Works.-An independent
study of the project and a review of the studies and reports of the special board
of survey of the Corps of Engineers and the Administration of Public Works.
 (4) A special board of geologists and engineers, appointed by direction of the
Chief of Engineers.-An examination and study of the possible effects of a sea-
level canal on the underground water supply of Florida.
 2. The coordinated findings of the above-named agencies are substantially as
follows:
 (a) A sea-level canal is preferable and will have no adverse effect on the
agriculture or underground water supply of Florida.
 (b) The cost of the project is estimated at $142,000,000, exclusive of land
and interest during construction. Land is being furnished by the State of
Florida.
 (c) The canal is economically justified as a river and harbor project on a
4-percent basis, at a cost upward of $160,000,000.
 3. The type, plans, and cost estimate have been approved by the Chief of
Engineers.
 4. The project was recommended to the President by the board of review.
 5. The project was duly authorized by the President, pursuant to the pro-
visions of the Emergency Appropriation Act of 1935, and work is now in
progress under the direction of the Chief of Engineers.


 DOCUMENT NO. 115 (FILES OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS),
 MARCH 3, 1936

COMPARISON OF COSTS AND BENEFITS, CERTAIN RIVER AND HARBOR
 IMPROVEMENTS

 The hearings before the subcommittee of the Senate Committee
on Commerce held on January 17, February 4 and 19, 1936, devel-
oped the fact that the reports of the several Government agencies
indicated that the ratio of cost to direct benefits of the Florida canal
would be approximately 1 to 1.6 or better. For purposes of com-
parison with other river and harbor improvements, Senator Fletcher
requested certain information from the Chief of Engineers, which is
comprised in the following communication:
 WAB DEPARTMENT,
 OFFICE or THE CHIEF or ENGINEERS,
 Washington, March 3, 1936.
 Hon. DUNOAN U. FLErCHB,
 United States Senate, Washington, D. C.
 MY DuAs SENATOa: In your letter of February 18, 1936, you asked to be
 advised as to the ratio of costs and benefits for certain river and harbor
 projects. I take pleasure in furnishing you with the information herewith.
 (a) Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.-With interest at 4 percent, and with
 an increased annual maintenance of $200000, the annual cost of the improve-
 ment of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal now under way is estimated at
 82710-36----18