398 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL

 case of the canal under discussion, the only structures which are subject to
 depreciation are two small water-control works and certain bridges, the cost of
 which is less than 2% percent of the total cost of the project.
 On the basis of the methods customarily used by the Board of Engineers for
 Rivers and Harbors to determine the economic justification of a project the
 Florida ship canal is justified by wide margin. These methods are analogous
 to those used in commercial practice for work of a similar character.
 Not only would the benefits to shipping exceed by a wide margin maintenance
 and operating costs and interest at the current rates as required by the Board
 of Engineers, but in approximately 32 years they would, in addition, more than
 amortize the original cost of the work plus interest during construction.
 The return from tolls considered by the board of review is no longer an issue,
 as the route is being opened as a free canal, as are other waterways of the
 United States.
 It has been estimated by competent engineering authorities and by the
 Federal Department of Commerce officials that this canal when completed will
 save about $8000,000 per year on the operating cost of ships which will use this
 canal; also, that it will save to consumers more than $30,000,000 per year in
 transportation-cost saving. It is estimated that 10,000 ships per year will transit
 it and that in these ships one and one-half times as much tonnage will be carried
 as now passes through the Panama Canal. Through the completion of the
 canal the storm hazard around the south end of the peninsula of Florida will
 be eliminated. As a national defense asset to our Nation the cost of construc-
 tion of this canal is well justified.
 Another thing of prime importance in this matter and one in which my
 colleagues should be interested is the obligation owed to the people of Florida.
 The State of Florida agreed with the Federal Government to deliver the right-
 of-way for the canal. On October 22, 1935, the counties in the canal zone of
 Florida voted a bond for a million and a half dollars, have sold the bonds, and
 have bought a large portion of the right-of-way, which has already been
 delivered to the Government. The citizens of Florida have performed their
 part of this obligation and the Government is morally bound to keep faith with
 the people of Florida and complete the project.
 The President was given full authority and direction to begin the project
 through the passage of the W. P. A. bill last session of Congress. Acting
 under this full authority given him by Congress, he began the project and has
 allocated about 5% million dollars for it. Recently, in the other legislative
 branch of our Government, on a point of order it was ruled that the project
 was properly authorized. I do not believe any parliamentarian or attorney in
 the House of Representatives will question the authorization of the project.
 But getting back to the actual benefits which are now accruing to the Amer-
 ican people as a result of work now going on on the canal, I include the fol-
 lowing letter Just received from Mr. J. W. Hill, a prominent citizen of Marion
 County, Fla., as follows:

 OoAA, FLA., Aprtl 20, 1936.
 The Honorable R. A. (Lax) GaBE,
 Member of Congress from Florda.
 MT Dzaa Coonasaesu GO Am: Wll you please give me enough of your
 valuable time to read the following?
 First. I want to tell you who I am and what line of business I am in. I am
 a small broke businessman operating a foundry and machine shop.
 Second. To my understanding, It is the aim of the President and his adminis-
 tration to put men to work, therefore I would like to call your attention to the
 fact that prior to September 3, 1935, there had been millions of dollars allotted
 to Florida for the relief-work projects. The workingman barely received
 enough to buy bread from the dollars that were sent to Florida for relief, which
 goes to show that very little benefit was derived by the people that really
 needed help or to the business enterprises, which is the backbone of this
 country.
 Third. I see in the newspapers that President Roosevelt has taken a stand
 against heavy projects. The billon and a half dollars he is asking Congress
 for must be spent on jobs that are quick in order to put men to work. Just
 allow me to quote you a few figures on what the Florida Canal did toward
 putting more men to work.
 Prior to September 3, 1985, I was working two men, not including myself,
 in my shop. Less than 3 weeks after the canal was announced I had 10 men
working, and they are still working today. Not only my business but every