The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-05-20
.G0vE1NM[NT Has
IN UNFAvOR AbL {
REPORT on K. WEST
To Whom It May Concern:

To Whom It May Concern:
1t having come to the notice Of the
undersigned that you have expressed
an interest in the pending proposition
for the Improvement Of Northwest
Channel. Key West, Florida, you are
hereby informed that the report there
on, authorized by the act OF Congress
approved July q. 1916, has been made,
and Is unfavorable to the Improvement.
The principal grounds upon which the
adverse conclusions are based are that
the present channel dimensions are
sufficient for the smaller coastwise yes
sells and other craft to which the saw
ing IN time and the avoidance of the
outside passage are most important !;
that gulf shipping in general is not in
terested and would probably not use
the passage to any large extent even II
improved; that the small saving in time
Tor vessels trading to and from West
Florida ports through Key West is not
sufficient return for the large cost Of
the Improvement; and that no other
reasons are now apparent for modify
ing the adverse conclusion based on the
foregoing. For your information, 1t
may be stated that after an unfavor-
able report by this office grounds for
which are stated in this paragraph, the
board OF engineers recommended and
the Chief of Engineers directed that a
survey be made to secure a channel 80
feet in depth and of sufficient width
from the harbor to deep water in the
Gulf of Mexico. This survey and esti-|
mates have not changed the opinion OF
the district engineer as to the desir-1
ability of the Improvement of the
Northwest Channel by the United
States at this time. The reasons for
making an unfavorable report are as
expressed in his original report.
You are further notified that all in
terested parties have the privilege Of
an appeal from this conclusion to the
Board of Engineers for Rivers and
Harbours, permanent body sitting at
Washington, d. c., to which all ex-
animation and survey reports of this
character are referred. Parties desir-
ing to do so may be heard on appeal
by the board, either orally or in writ
ing. Written communications should
be addressed to the Board OF Engineers
for Rivers and Harbors. Southern Build
ing. Washington, D. c., and should be
mailed in time to be In the possession
of the board within four weeks from
the date of this communication. II,
however, you have important data tol
communicate to the board, which can
not be collected and put In shape for
proper presentation within four weeks.
the board should be informed of this
fact without delay and request madei
for the extension of the limiting datel
for submitting information. II oral
hearings are desired, dates for the same
may be arranged for by correspondence
with the board
Any further information needed may
be obtained by application to this Of
flee, but attention Is invited to the fol-
lowing regulation as to the manner inI
which such information may be fur-l
nished:
Where interested parties desire data
necessary for the preparation OF their
appeal to the Board of Engineers for
Rivers and Harbors, it will be givenl
them verbally by the district officer or.
In his absence, by the senior assistant.
engineer connected with the improved
ment. They will not be permitted to
have access to the report without au-
thority from the Chief of Engineers
You are requested to communicate
the foregoing to any persons known byl
you to be interested in the improve
ment and who, not being known toI
this office, did not receive a copy Of
this communication.
Very respectfully,
T. w. SACKETT,
Assistant Engineer in Charge.