DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL


463


DOCUMENT NO. 147 (CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, 74TH CONG, 2D SESS.,
 JUNE 17, 1936), JUNE 17, 1936

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON SENATOR ROBINSON'
 AMENDMENT TO THE FIRST DEFICIENCY BILL, 1936, PROVIDING FOR THE
 FLORIDA CANAL

 The Senate having adopted the above-mentioned resolution, and
 the bill having been submitted to the conferees of the Senate and the
 House, and the conferees failing to agree on this item, the House, on
 June 17, 1936 took up for consideration the report of the House con-
 ferees. The following is extracted from the Congressional Record of
 that date:
 The SPEAK&z pro tempore. The Clerk will report the next amendment in
 disagreement.
 The Clerk read as follows:
 "Amendment no. 41: Page 32, after line 5, insert:
 "'That the President of the United States is authorized to appoint.a board of
 three members, to be known as the Florida Canal Board (hereinafter called
 the "Board"), the members of which shall be qualified members of the engineer-
 ing profession who are not employees of the United States, or of the State of
 Florida, and who have in no manner been connected with or have any financial
 interest, present or prospective, in what is known as the Atlantic-Gulf ship
 canal project, Florida.
 "'The Board shall review the reports heretofore rendered in connection with
 the project for a sea-level ship canal across the State of Florida, with particular
 reference to the questions of (a) whether the construction of such a canal
 across the State of Florida between the St. Johns River and the Withlacoochee
 River would create any consequential or irremediable disturbance of the ground
 water levels of the State of Florida; (b) the estimated costs of constructing,
 maintaining, and operating such a canal; and (c) the justification for the
 expenditure of the Federal funds estimated to be required. The Board shall
 make such further study of these and other pertinent questions relating to this
 project as it may deem necessary.
 "'The Board shall report its findings and recommendations to the President
 on or before July 20, 196. Should its conclusions be favorable to the continu-
 ance by the Federal Government of the project hereinbefore knentioned, the
 President is hereby authorized to make allotments for carrying forward such
 project during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1937. from any funds now or
 hereafter available for relief and work relief on useful projects, as follows:
 "'For a ship canal across the State of Florida, not to exceed $10,000,000:
 Provided. That the total estimated capital cost of such canal shall not exceed
 $150,000,000, including all funds previously allotted thereto.
 "'The members of the Board herein authorized to be appointed shall receive
 compensation at the rate of $50 per day for each day of service, including
 Sunday and holidays, together with their necessary traveling expenses, and
 the Board is authorized to employ and fix the compensation of such personnel
 as it may find necessary to assist In the performance of its functions, without
 regard to civil-service laws and regulations or the Classification Act of 1923, as
 amended, and to pay their necessary traveling expenses. The expenditures
 authorized by this section shall be paid from funds heretofore or hereafter
 appropriated for examinations, surveys, and contingencies of rivers and harbors.
 "'The Secretary of War and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
 Administration of Public Works shall make available to the Board herein
 authorized all reports, records, plans, estimates, or other data and information
 in their possession which in any manner relate to the project hereinbefore
 mentioned and shall render such aid and assistance as said Board may request
 in connection with the duties imposed upon it hereunder.' "
 Mr. BUOHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House further insist on its
 disagreement to Senate amendment no. 41.
 Mr. O'COiNwo. Mr. Speaker, I offer a preferential motion that the House
 recede in its disagreement to Senate amendment no. 41 and concur therein.
 Mr. BUCOANAN. Mr. Speaker, I demand a division of the question.