396 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL

 authentic information available permits the conclusion that the sea-level canal
 will not contaminate the underground-water supply of adjacent areas."
 I quote General Markham because his authority is the highest engineering
 authority in our country. Other eminent engineers, among them Hon. H. H.
 Buckman, consulting engineer for the Florida Ship Canal Authority, concur
 in the conclusion that no serious damage will occur to Florida's underground-
 water system and vegetable life. Fruit and vegetable growers in Florida
 generally are not fearful of adverse effects. I include a letter just received
 from Mr. James J. Taylor, of Ocala, Fla. He owns 25,000 acres of celery and
 citrus lands. Much of his land is now being cultivated as celery fields and
 orange groves. His letter follows:
 AraIP 20, 1936.
 Hon. R. A. Gam M. C.,
 House Oface BSdidng, Washington, D. C.
 DV.a RzPsseNTATIVr GEENm : Being the owner of 25,000 acres of land in
 Marion County near the proposed trans-Florida ship canal, as well as one of
 the largest celery growers in Florida, with about 250 acres planted to this
 crop, and a large grower of citrus fruits and general farm products, I have
 naturally been very much interested in the controversy as to the effect of dig-
 ging this canal on farming, especially on the two above-named crops, celery
 and citrus fruits; also on our fresh-water supply.
 After gofng over the reports of the eminent geologists and engineers who
 have made a careful study of the effects of this canal on farming and fruit
 growing, as well as the fresh-water supply, I have reached the conclusion that
 the construction of this Gulf-Atlantic ship canal will not damage our crops
 and fresh-water supply, but will be of great benefit to the whole State of
 Florida.
 May I, therefore, respectfully urge you to continue your efforts to have the
 canal completed by the United States Army engineers. We have every reason to
 believe we may trust them.
 With personal regards, I am,
 Yours very truly,
 JAMs J. TATr a.
 One W. E. Ellis, president of the Commercial Bank & Trust Co., of Ocala,
 Fla., has recently written me that, in his opinion, no serious damage will occur
 to Florida underground water supply nor to Florida fruit and vegetable indus-
 tries. He is one of the largest property owners in the canal area of Florida,
 and urges completion of the project.
 Bay & Davidson are owners, of a large tract of land, including Silver Springs,
 adjacent to the city of Ocala, Fla. This is probably the largest spring in
 the world. From it flows an adequate supply of sparkling and pure water
 sufficient to take care of the needs of every citizen in the United States. It Is
 undoubtedly the most gorgeous and beautiful spring in the world. All fotms of
 Florida plant life and fresh-water fish and animal life are to be found there In
 unparalleled beauty and abundance. People from all over the world go to
 Florida especially to see this great display of subterranean beauty.
 The Investment of Ray & Davidson at Silver Springs is worth hundreds of
 thousands of dollars. These owners would be the last ones to advocate com-
 pletion of the Florida Canal if damage to Florida would accrue therefrom.
 Mr. W. C. Ray, of Ray & Davidson, has Just written me as follows:

 APRL 16, 1936.
 Hon. B. A. G M. C.,
 Houe OMo Bullding, Washingto, D. C.
 Dans ConmmyaesM Gamn: With large investments at stake should there be
 damage to the fresh-water supply or a material lowering of the water level by
 reason of the construction of the Gulf-Atlantic ship canal, we have considered
 the effects of digging this waterway.
 We are convinced, after talking with the United States Army engineers on
 the Job and after reading the conclusions of such eminent authorities as Sidney
 Palge, senior geologist, United States Army Engineers, Ocala, Fla., that there
 will be no material damage to agriculture, horticulture, or lowering of the
 water level that would permit damage to the fresh-water supply, even in our
 Immediate proximity to the canal, much less to those parts of the State remotely
removed from the excavations.