DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE FLORIDA CANAL 477

 For bout 10 years we worked hard to secure the East Coast Canal, and prob-
ably the same objections were raised, and, due to a division of sentiment and
opposition, the fight was prolonged and the securing of the East Coast Canal
was delayed; but we finally got everybody together, and I am satisfied now
that everyone familiar with the East Coast Canal is perfectly satisfied.
 For the above reasons and reasons stated in my former letter I have urged
the cr6ss-State canal at whatever point determined upon by the engineers in
the strongest terms possible, because I felt it would in the long run materially
benefit the entire State pf Florida.
 Many evade questions, and, while this is an election year and there is a tend-
ency to evade, during all of my public life, which has run over a period of
the past 20 or more years, many have differed with me, but I have retained
their friendship because of my frankness.
 I sincerely trust that my letter will not be misunderstood, and I feel satisfied
after a careful research you will agree with me.
 Sincerely yours,
 W. J. SEgas.
 That letter clearly shows my attitude; that I am not a recent convert; I am
 not a demagog; and that I am not shaping my course for political effect
 It might also be interesting at this point to remind you that just prior thereto
 I received from Fort Myers a resolution asking me to work for a cross-State
 canal from Fort Myers to Lake Okeechobee, coming out to the ocean at Fort
 Pierce.
 I have before me request for the cross-State ship canal, dated July 27, 1983,
 Fort Myers, Fla., in part as follows:
 "As the result of my personal investigation I am convinced that a cross-
 State ship canal is feasible, possible, and probable.
 "As to a definite route, the northern route (Mayport-Jacksonville-Yankee-
 town) was finally decided upon for a complete report after consideration of
 seven other possible northern routes.
 "We are definitely in favor of such a ship canal to join the Atlantic with the
 Gulf, and we are willing to heartily support such a project for the benefit of
 the whole State of Florida; but we are not willing to support this particular
 route unless it is clearly demonstrated that this is the best and most economical
 route that can be established. We do not believe this to be the case. In
 every report on this subject since the Civil War the definite route recommended
 has been the Okeechobee-Caloosahatchee, or southern route."
 I have here a map which shows that most of the opposition to the cross-
 State canal outside of Florida has come from the Atlantic coast and from that
 section of the country where there are no rivers and harbors.
 THE POLITICAL ASPECT OF THR OANAL PBOJWCT

 At this point, Mr. Speaker, may I say--and I hope my remarks will not be
 misunderstood-during the years I have been in Congress I have supported
 all measures from a national viewpoint I will not question the motives of
 those who are now opposing me, but I have gone through many of these fights.
 I went through the Cape Cod Canal fight, and I am sometimes wondering why
 it is that some of my colleagues who are now bitterly fighting me were so
 anxious and willing to accept support in the Cape Cod fight.
 I have never in my life indulged in any criticism of my colleagues. I have
 never reflected upon any of my colleagues since I have been in Congress, but
 I am giving you the facts. There was then no hue and cry raised about the
 waste of money. The same fight was put up against the Cape Cod Canal, but
 in that case Congress appropriated $27,000,000 for the completion of 13% miles
 of canal and $11,730,000 for the old canal and outstanding bonds.
 Whether that was done wisely or unwisely, it was done, and at the same rate
 of expenditure per mile you could spend six or seven hundred million dollars on
 the Florida cross-State canal, and it would not cost any more in proportion to
 the mileage than the Cape Cod Canal cost. I have voted for the Great Lakes
 improvements. As a matter of fact, we have not asked very much for Florida
 improvements. Florida has contributed dollar for dollar to meet the appropria-
 tions that the Government has made for our harbors, beginning with Miami
 Harbor. I recall that shortly after I came to Congress Miami spent more than
 the Government spent on improvements; I know that West Palm Beach built
 their own harbor without cost to the Government, and I know that Fort Pierce