The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-09-23
This Act shall take effect upon becom.
Nv. Approved May 10, 1921.
CHAPTER sszs-(No. 1881.

Sec i This Act shall take effect upon becom-
as ! law. Approved May ~ 1921.
CHAPTER ss7s-(No. 1881.
AS THE Florida State Commission for Secur-
ing the Construction Of the Atlantic, Gulf and
Mississippi Canal.
Whereas The Legislature of Florida has en-
'orsed and approved the construction by the
Federal Government of a canal across the State
b Florida, connecting the Atlantic Ocean with
HE Gulf OF Mexico, and directed that the Con-
sress Of the United States be petitioned to cause
laid proposed canal to be definitely located and
constructed as soon as possible; and
Whereas. The construction of sea-level ca
hal capable Of carrying the largest vessels com
nencing at Cumberland Sound on the Atlantic
S<aboard and extending thence up the St Mary's
se soaas OK the ws Gui 81 MEXICO
md the opening up Of the existing natural water
&ay along the northern edge of the Gulf Of Mex.
leo from St. Georges Sound to the Milssisaslppi
'ssippf River to the Atlantic Ocean for the pur-
5oses q barge transportation; and will make it
possible to deliver the proSucts q 5ae oSs b1
barge transportation through protected water
Route without transshipment and with the lowest
Whereas The construction of such canal and
waterway will provide an intercepting trunk line
of water transportation connecting the Mississippi
md ~ the rivers east Of the Mssissp d with Mhca
South Atlantic port at Cumberland Sound; there
6v making il possible to transport on barges
through protected water route the plo nd y
4eIiyer these products at the Atlantic Seaboard,
where the best markets available; and
a Whereas. The construction of the proposed
ANAL and the opening up Of the said Inland Wa
:erWay by so supplying connecting trunk nne
ia protected water transportation to the Sea-
viii bring into actual Us, use sna w ryep
Ind Of the other rivers east OF the Mississippi
lowing into the Gulf Of Mexico; and thereby
m make i possible to utilize ior iiesna nay
gable streams draining the central and south.
Eastern sections Of the United States; and
Whereas, Such a water system OF tIansporl il
lens Of the Mississippi Valley and of the south
Eastern section OF the United States; will greatly
lid the agricultural and industrial activities IN
aid section by furnishing them perpetual and
cheap transportation to the Seaboard, where the
best markets are located; will enhance the value
b farm lands through the provision OF means lot
delivering their products to market; Will furnish
perpetual avenue of transportation to practi-
:aIly unlimited capacity for such products; VIII.
through water competition, ensure re-. low tin e,s az
Atlantic ports; and will benefit large section OF
The United States in a greater degree than could
be accomplished by the CONSTRUCTION 81 t 'n sec
ion with their heavy maintenance and interest
whereas, the building Of such canal win greatly
5fmplify the question of National Defense; VIII
create a short cut between the Atlantic and the
Stuff Of Mexico, thereby eliminating nearly 500
piles Of distance, BY the water route . between
hand, the New York and Liverpool, on the other,
With similar saving of distance as between the
ulf ports and other Atlantic sea6oard ana E u
hippine incident to the passage OF the Straits OF
Florida, with consequent reduction of Marine in
Surance, with saving in time, and with reduced
On for the delivery Of the products Of the sec
ions served to the markets of the world; and
Whereas, The construction of the canal and the
opening up of said Inland Waterway will not only
materially benefit the States of Georgia and Flor
da, but will offer material benefits and advan-
ages to fully one-haIf of the producing area of
he United States, and will form an essential link
a the system Of Inland Waterways to the con-
FRACTION Of which the Federal Government is
Ircady committed; and
wcen Cumberland Sound and the Gulf of Mex
10 was surveyed and reported on by engineers
or the Federal Government in 1876 and in 1880,
which survey and report show that lock barge
ANAL or lock-ship canal can be built at a
Reasonable cost, and that the construction of the
anne IS feasible; and
nerce and the quick and easy transportation of
BE enormously increased volume of products, as
yeII As the. requirements of the National. De
ense and the facilities necessary to the devel-
Dmenf OF an American Merchant Marine, in
icate that such canal should be constructed as
seaieveI canal, rather than as lock-canal; and
Whereas The Committee on Railways and
annals Of the National House of Representatives,
ixty-Sixth Congress, Third Session. in Report
snded al appropraton by Congress Of $4,000
pa the purpose Of surveying and reporting on the
easib lily and cost of such canal and water
Whereas II is desirable that the public atten-
lon be called to the advantages of the construc-
on Of the proposed canal and waterway as a
NATIONAL asset; that public interest be enlisted
urging upon Congress its early survey and con-
ructon; that the matter be actively and ag-
fcssiyely presented to and urged upon Congress
I'D the Federal authorities; and that some body
z created to take charge of and direct this
Whereas, The United States is the owner of
1luabe wharf property abuttng on and ada
cnt to Cumberland Sound and its tributaries,
here the terminus Of such canal would be To-
Whereas, 1t is desirable that the Legislature of
<orgia and of the other States tributary to the
uIl and to the Mississippi and other rivers
owing into the Gulf be asked to cooperate in
pc effort to secure the early construction of the
I'D canal and waterway; and that they appoint
1ltabIe State Commissioners or Boards to repre-
mt the interests Of their states in the efforts to
cure such early construction; and
Whereas, It is proper that the State of Florida,
rough which the major portion of said canal will
jul terminal viii be located should take the the
Iflatlve in the effort to secure the early con-
ruction Of the canal and waterway, and should
esent its advantages to the other interested
ates and urge their cooperation in the effort
secure its construction by the Federal Govern
lent; Now, therefore,
Section 4. That there is hereby created per-
anent commission to be known as s.The Flor
state Commission for Securing the Con-
ruction OF the Atlantic, Gulf and Mississippi
onaI." The said Commission shall consist Of
rce members, all Of whom shall be citizens Of
Lor!da and known to favor the construction
the Federal Government of canal across the
tate Of Florida, commencing at Cumberland
eund and extending to the Gulf Of Mexico.
nese three members shall be appointed by the
oyernor within thirty days from the passage
this Act. and shall serve for period of two
ears- In addition to the three members so
med, the Governor of the State shall pso facto
member Of the. said Commission, and shall
entitled to participate in its deliberations
ne of the three nominees of the Governor shall
designated by him as chairman Of the said
ommission.
Sec 2. That said Commission is authorized
receive from municipalities, commercial and
Sic organizations, and other corporations, in
yiduals or other bodies. any voluntary contri-