The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-06-15
,orcREssMAN CLARK PRESENTS
TWO BILLS.
-. Concerns Drainage of Everglades
- Florida ship Canal is the Second
Enterprise-6oth Bills of Very
Great Importance.

kuon Frank Clark, congressman from
i. second district of Florida. has in
..,auced two very important bills in
~ house of representatives.
One provides for a survey for ship
-, across the state of Florida from
ne Atlantic ocean to the Gulf of Mex
90 and is as follows:
"A bill to provide for survey for
M ship canal across the state of Flor
*:as from the Atlantic ocean to the
nus Of Mexico. and making appropria-
ion therefor
BE 1t enacted by the senate and
bouse of representatives of the United
states of America in congress assem-
Med. That the secretary of war is
bareby authorized and directed to
cause to be made at as early a day
al possible a survey across the state of
F1orida from the Atlantic ocean TO the
Guh OF Mexico, from and to such
poInts on either coast as he may deem
most desirable, to determine the prac-
ticability, feasibility and cost of cut
ting, establishing and maintaining
across said state of Florida a ship
canal Of the same width and depth Of
the canal now being constructed across
the Isthmus of Panama.
"Sec. 2. That when such survey
shall have been completed, the secre-
tary of war shall make due report
thereof to the congress with full and
detailed statement as TO the cost of
constructing and maintaining such ca
nal, together with his opinion as %
its desirability for the needs of COM
merce and the practicability of it's con-
structlon and maintenance.
aSec. 3. That the sum of fifty
thousand dollars. or so much thereof
as may be necessary, out of any mon
eys in the treasury of the United States
not otherwise appropriated, is hereby
appropriated to carry into effect the
provisions of this act"
The other provides for the use of
three million dollars of the money that
would otherwise become part of the
reclamation fund.- for the drainage of
certain lands in this state. This very
important bill reads as follows:
"A bill providing for the use of
three million dollars of the money that
would otherwise become a part of the
reclamation fund for the drainage of
certain lands in the state of Florida,
and for other purposes.
BE It enacted by the senate and
house Of representatives of the
N United States of America in congress
assembled. That three million dollars
|tof the money hereafter arising from
the sale Of public lands, and which,
under the act Of June II, 1902. would
otherwise become a part of the recla-
nation fund. may be used for the pur-
pose of constructing a suitable and
comprehensive system of drainage of
the lands known as the everglades.
~ the state of Florida, under the su-
<tervision of the secretary of agricul-
ture: Provided. That all the expense
OF such construction. including sal
aries and the maintenance of warks
for period not exceeding ten years,
shan be assessed against the lands
proposed to be drained in proportion
20 benefits, said assessments to be
levied and the money to be paid in
not to exceed ten annual installments,
under such laws and regulations duly
enacted by the Legislature of the
state OF Florida as in the judgment
OF me president of the United States
snaii De adequate to insure the repay
menf to the United States Of all money
expended under the terms of this act
Provided further, That all moneys de-
rived from such assessments shall he
pa'o into the treasury OF the United
states by the said state of Florida,
ana when so paid shall be covered
'n'o rhe reclamation fund TO be used
under the provisions of said act OF
June IL, 1902: And provided further
mat any money paid in by said state
OK Florida in excess of the total
amount paid out by the United States
nnen the said works are completed
oiuding the maintenance of the
works., shall be returned to the said
state Of Florida.