324 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLOBIDA CANAL

 Mr. VANDwzm e. It bears it out In great detail. I have not brought with me
 this afternoon all the geologic exhibits which are available in this connection
 because, frankly, I did not care to invade this particular field other than to
 Indicate its existence. I do not know which side Is right or wrong in connec-
 tion with the argument respecting Florida's geology. All those in central and
 southern Florida produce their experts to say that it is to be ruined by the
 infiltration of saline water into its fresh-water supply and through the lowering
 and depletion of the water supply upon which its citrus industry depends. All
 those in northern Florida who believe in the canal produce their geologists or
 experts to say this will not happen. The Senator can choose his own experts.
 As usual, they are available upon both sides. However, that is not the point
 which I am stressing.
 Mr. Nomuas That is the point I tried to make. I admit all the Senator says
 about the experts. I do not know who is right I am like the Senator in that
 respect. However, the Senator has read from one newspaper a statement in
 which it was said that Governor Cox editorially had opposed this proposal. I
 submit the Senator has not read anything from Governor Cox to show that he
 has editorially opposed it
 Mr. VANDNmeO. I think the Senator is in error. The letter from Mr. Shutts
 said that he, Mr. Shutts, had editorially opposed it, and that he was enclosing
 an article from the opposition paper bearing upon the same proposition.
 Mr. Nouas. Yes; and he said further certainly they would not make any
 charges against him as opposing the New Deal. I submit again that all the
 Senator read from the other paper is no statement whatever as to the attitude
 of the owner or publisher or editor of that newspaper on this question.
 Mr. VANumaome. I will have to leave the Senator to whatever consolation he
 can get out of that situation. I have not the remainder of the exhibits with me.
 In my view the point raised does not bear the slightest upon the real proposition
 which is involved. Let us see what the United States Geological Survey has
 said. Never mind Mr. Scbutts and Governor Cox, let us see what the United
 States Geological Survey has said:
 "There appears to be no reasonable doubt that serious adverse effects will be
 produced upon the important underground water supplies of the Ocala lime-
 stone in a wide zone extending outward from the canal line by the construction
 of a sea-level canal along route 13-B."
 That is the route now being followed by this amazing undertaking. Not
 only may we rely upon the United States Geological Survey but upon the State
 geologist, Mr. Herman Gunter, who arrives at precisely the same conclusion.
 Mr. Nomus. I hope the Senator will not construe from my remarks that I am
 questioning these authorities. I am not by any means. I only wanted to call
 attention to what seemed to me ought to be rectified in the Record. It is said
 by one paper that Governor Cox's paper is opposing the canal. If it is not,
 it is probably an injustice to him to let that assertion stand uncontradicted.
 I do not pretend to know. I have no knowledge about it I am saying that as
 a matter of fairness to Govenor Cox.
 Mr. VAxlzNBmm. I repeat to the Senator that the letter said nothing of the
 sort. The letter said Mr. Shutts had editorially opposed the canal, and then
 he referred to Governor Cox only as follows:
 "Perhaps he would not be accused of ulterior motives. Enclosed I hand you
 clipping of an article which appeared in the March 11 issue of Governor Cox's
 paper. It presents in powerful form one and only one of the arguments against
 the canal. It is worthy of and entitled to your prayerful consideration."
 That still refers to Governor Cox.
 Mr. Noaus. The article enclosed under a New York date line said that the
 geologists had claimed that the canal would be damaging to the water supply.
 That is a matter of news, I suppose, and whether a man were in favor of or
 against the canal, if he wanted to be at all fair he would print it in the news-
 paper as a matter of news.
 Mr. VAiqDzxnBe. I am totally at a loss to understand the point the Senator
 Is trying to make.
 Mr. Nonus. I am sorry. I probably should not have Interrupted the Senator.
 Mr. VAnDENBEBO. It seems to me totally inconsequential in respect to the
 main show.
 Mr. NoasUs. I admit it is a side show, but the Senator himself brought it in.
 There is an implication there that Governor Cox's paper is opposing the canal
 In order to prove that, a news item out of Governor Cox's paper is produced
from New York quoting a geologist, entirely as a matter of news, to the effect