442 DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL

 as much subjected to possible submarine or other attacks than they might be
 by using the narrow Straits of Florida.
 It is clear to me that under certain conditions that might arise in a war
 in which the United States was involved that the peacetime route from north-
 east United States ports to the Panama Canal, 1,974 miles, would be aban-
 doned to a great extent in favor of the Florida ship canal route.
 Also, insmuch as the completion of the Florida ship canal will provide a
 vital link in the Inland waterway system from Boston to Mexico, this inside
 protected route will, no doubt, be used to great advantage in time of war in
 the movement of supplies and materials; and will thus relieve the freight con-
 gestion which was so much in evidence on the northern trunk-line railroads
 during the World War.
 In regard to the possible objections of steamship companies that the Florida
 ship canal is a needless expense and that vessels will not use it when com-
 pleted, attention is invited to the fact that similar objections were raised
 when the Panama Canal was under discussion at congressional hearings. How
 badly they were misled in their prognostication it is idle to discuss.
 I submit herewith a chart to substantiate my views, from which, I think,
 clear deductions can be made.
 Yours very truly,
 F. B. BAssErr,
 Rear Admiral, United States Navy (Retired).
 I quote also from a statement made to the press by the Secretary of War
 on April 27, .in which he said:
 "The Florida Canal is a feasible and worth-while project.
 "People who deride the proposed waterway as an impractical scheme do not
 know what they are talking about"
 Mr. President, I have heard it whispered to some extent, indeed, I believe it
 has been stated openly, that ships will move so slowly through this canal that
 there will be no gain in transiting the canal instead of going around through the
 straits of Florida. It is not necessary for me to refer to the fact that during
 certain months of the year the hazard of a voyage through the straits of Florida
 ought to be considered. I will not stress that But with reference to the speed
 of the ships operating through the canal I may say that the Corps of Engineers
 and the Bureau of Navigation have offically determined and reported that a
 normal ocean speed of 10% knots will be maintained by ships throughout the
 full length of the canal, except in the central-cut section, where they will proceed
 at 6% knots. These are the ofical figures. For the greater part of its length
 the canal will be along a river which is from 1 to 2 miles wide. The cut
 referred to will be about 29 miles in length. Through that cut the speed will
 be 6% knots, but through the whole distance of the canal outside of that cut
 the speed will be 10% knots, which is the ordinary speed for cargo vessels.
 There will be no locks to contend with. Ships will move straight through
 the canal, and, as I mentioned heretofore, much time will be saved in the move-
 ment of cargoes from the Atlantic coast to the Gulf of Mexico by way of the
 Florida ship canal.
 On a previous question I dealt with the subject in greater detail I feel I
 should insist that the work of developing the Florida ship canal should proceed
 on its merits for the benefit of the Nation. The canal will add to the wealth of
 the Nation and will develop the trade and commerce of the whole country.
 The work should go on. It will give employment to many persons. Especially
 Is the construction of the canal justified by every principle of river and harbor
 improvement adopted by this country. There is not a river and harbor project
 heretofore adopted and now under way which has received more thorough inves-
 tigation and study and favorable consideration than has the Florida ship canaL
 Mr. Vandenburg obtained the floor.
 Mr. MoNA r. Mr. President, will the Senator yield?
 Mr. VANDmmau. I yield.
 Mr. McNASr. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
 The Pamueas pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
 The legislative clerk called the roll, and the following Senators answered to
 their names:
 Adams, Austin, Bachman, Bailey, Barbour, Barkley, Benson, Bilbo, Black,
 Borah, Brown, Bulkley, Bulow, Burke, Byrd, Byrnes, Capper, Caraway, Carey,
 Chaves, Clark, Coolidge, Copeland, Couzens, Davis, Duffy, Fletcher, Frasier,
George, Gerry, Gibson, Glass, Guffey, Hale, Hastings, Hatch, Hayden, Johnson,