432 DOCUMENTARY HISTOBY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL

 would be advantageous to have the matter studied and passed upon by such
 a board as the amendment contemplates.
 The second duty of the Pasaamaquoddy board relates to the justification of
 the project, including the possibilities relating to the establishment of indus-
 tries requiring electric power in eastern Maine. In the debates here much of
 the controversy has revolved around this question, and it seems appropriate and
 helpful to have definite information relating to it.
 The third obligation on the board involves a study of the scientific value from
 the knowledge and experience to be gained with respect to an experiment in
 tidal-power development. At this time it does not appear to be necessary to
 elaborate upon that aspect of the subject. It involves a field inviting to re-
 search. It is a subject that is intimately connected with the development in
 a large portion of the State of Maine where development apparently is greatly
 needed.
 The fourth task of the board will be to estimate the cost of construction, oper-
 ation, and maintenance; and it is also provided in the amendment that unless
 the estimates come within a certain limit-a limit of $150,000,000 with respect
 to the Florida ship canal, including the amounts already expended, and
 $42,00,000 as to the Passamaquoddy project, including the amounts spent there-
 the allotments may not be made by the Executive under the authority of this
 measure.
 Fifth, as in the case of the ship canal, the Passamaquoddy board is authorized
 to make such further studies as it may find necessary to the proper perform-
 ance of its duties. In the original joint resolution, which was referred to the
 Committee on Commerce and reported a few days ago by that committee to
 the Senate, it was provided that the reports should be made on or before June
 20, 1964 I doubted at the time whether that limitation gave sufficient oppor-
 tunity for the boards to complete their tasks; and in this amendment the time
 has been extended until July 20. While it is desirable that the boards shall
 have full opportunity to study and reach conclusions concerning the specific
 questions that are submitted to them under the amendment and the other
 general subjects which they are at liberty to inquire into, it is also desirable
 that the issue should be brought to a conclusion as speedily as circumstances
 reasonably permit.
 As already indicated, there are approximately 11,000 persons at work on
 these two projects. If the projects should be suspended indefinitely, it would
 be necessary as to many of those laborers to provide other employment, and to
 break up the organization and then reestablish it, as would have to be done
 if the reports were unduly delayed, which would, from the standpoint of every
 person, be undesirable. So the policy of the amendment is to invite and to
 cause as prompt a decision as the circumstances will permit.
 It is provided in the amendment that if, as to the projects or either of them,
 the report is favorable, the President may make allotments from the funds in
 this bill for carrying on work on the project that has been so approved. In the
 one case, the Florida ship canal, the allotment that would be authorized Is
 $10,000,000; in the case of Passamaquoddy it is $9,000,000; those sums being
 suflcient for present requirements.
 There are other provisions in the amendment of comparatively slight im-
 portance. All the departments which have information on these subjects are
 required to supply that information to aid the boards in the discharge of their
 duties. They are also instructed to render any assistance the boards may
 request.
 In view of the controversy and present status of these projects, it seems to
 me that the amendment provides a fair and satisfactory way to determine the
 Issues which have arisen. I should hope that the Senate will keep the projects
 alive by adopting the amendment. There would thus be given a further oppor-
 tunity to study them, with the assurance that they would not be carried for-
 ward unless the reports justified that course, and with the assurance that they
 will be carried on if the facts appear to Justify doing so.
 Mr. CoPrzeAD. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
 Mr. RoBissow. I yield.
 Mr. COPErLAD. As I have understood the matter, in our discussions In the
committee it was distinctly understood that, whatever might be the fate of
the proposal here today, it has no bearing upon any future action the Congress
may take. In other words, if there should be favorable action upon the amend-
ment, the action would not bind the Congress in any sense, and it Is not to be
considered as an authorization of the ultimate completion of these two projects.
Does the Senator from Arkansas agree with me in that statement?