the mail boat has to lay outside on low tide, exposed to the elements, a factor covering this risk undoubtedly being added by the contractor to the cost of the service. 11. Local cooperation. The population of the village is vitally interested in this improvement. If the consent of the county government could be obtained, there is little doubt but that they would vote to issue bonds to cover a part of the cost of the improvement. 12. Conclusions. It is believed that the proposed improvement would provide an absolutely safe harbor and appreciably reduce the cost of transportation, benefiting fishermen, boatmen, and merchants, and making possible a larger commercial development of the natural resources of this locality. It appears probable that the improvement could be effected at small cost, and I would recommend that a survey, and the preparation of plans and estimates be authorized. ROBT. C. MERRITT, District Engineer. [First indorsement.] OFFICE OF DIVISION ENGINEER, EASTERN DIVISION, December 30, 1918. To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: Recommending survey and estimates, although it seems doubtful if the possible cost of improvement will be warranted by the present or prospective commerce. W. L. FISK, Colonel, United States Army, Retired, [For report of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, see p. 3.] О WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORT ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF PEACE RIVER, FLA. JUNE 2, 1919.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed, with illustration. The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, May 29, 1919. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, of 9th ultimo, with report by Mr. J. M. Braxton, assistant engineer in charge, dated February 10, 1919, with map, on a preliminary examination of Peace River, Fla., made by him in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917. Very respectfully, NEWTON D. BAKER, WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 9, 1919. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, From: The Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. 1. There is submitted herewith for transmission to Congress report dated February 10, 1919, with map, by Mr. J. M. Braxton, assistant engineer in charge, on preliminary examination of Peace River, Fla., authorized by the river and harbor act approved August 8, 1917. 2. Peace River rises in Polk County, Fla., near the central portion of the State and flows in a generally southwesterly direction into Charlotte Harbor, near Punta Gorda, Fla. The upper portion of the river is narrow, tortuous, and steep. The lower section is crooked but has reaches of considerable width, and the lower 10 miles forms an estuary connecting with Charlotte Harbor. From Charlotte Harbor to Punta Gorda, a distance of 5 miles, there is a depth of 10 feet at low tide; thence to Fort Ogden, about 18 miles above the mouth, the controlling depth is about 3 feet, and above this place the river is not now navigable, except for very shallow draft launches. The improvement apparently desired is the extension of navigation to the towns of Arcadia and Wauchula, 30 and 55 miles, respectively, above the mouth. Other interests along the upper reaches of the river desire improvement with a view to reduction of flood heights. There is at present practically no commerce on the river above Punta Gorda, and while there was considerable traffic as far up as Fort Ogden prior to the construction of railroads into this section, there is little or no prospect of its being revived. The district engineer expresses the opinion, in which the division engineer concurs, that this river is not worthy of improvement by the United States at the present time. 3. This report has been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to its report herewith, dated March 11, 1919, concurring in the unfavorable views of the district and division engineers. 4. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur in the views of the district engineer, the division engineer, and the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and therefore report that the improvement by the United States of Peace River, Fla., is not deemed advisable at the present time. W. M. BLACK, REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. [Third indorsement.] BOARD OF ENGINEERS for RIVERS AND HARBORS, To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: 2. Peace River rises in Polk County, Fla., and flows in a southwesterly direction into Charlotte Harbor, which it enters a short distance below Punta Gorda, . Fla. In its upper reaches the river is narrow, tortuous, and shallow. Except for very small launches, it is not navigable above Fort Ogden, 18 miles above the mouth. The available depth to Fort Ogden is about 3 feet. The lower 10 miles of the river is an estuary having depths of from 3 to 14 feet. From Charlotte Harbor to Punta Gorda the depth at low tide is 10 feet. 3. Local interests at Arcadia, a town having a population of about 4,000, 30 miles above the mouth, desire a channel 3 feet deep, although some persons ask for 12 feet. The interests at Wauchula, a small town about 55 miles above the mouth of the river, desire a channel suitable for the shipment of fruits and vegetables. The district engineer states that such a channel should be 6 feet deep. Other interests along the upper reaches of the river desire improvement with a view to reduction of flood heights. 4. There is at present practically no commerce on the river above Punta Gorda. On the section below Punta Gorda the commerce amounts to about 20,000 tons, but this is local harbor commerce that does not pertain to the river proper. Before the advent of railroads into this section there was considerable traffic on the river as far up as Fort Ogden, but with the completion of the road to Punta Gorda, about 1890, and the road to Boca Grande, in 1907, river traffic practically ceased, and there is little or no prospect of its being revived. The district engineer expresses the opinion, in which the division engineer concurs, that Peace River, Fla., is not worthy of improvement at the present time. 5. Interested parties were informed of the tenor of the district engineer's report and given an opportunity of submitting their views, but no communications on the subject have been received. 6. Like many small streams in this country, Peace River was used to a considerable extent as a transportation route so long as it offered the best facilities for that purpose. This condition ceased with the coming of the railroads, and the water route was soon abandoned. There is at present no commerce on the section of the river where improvement is desired, and it is not probable that traffic would be revived if the river were improved to the extent requested. A deep channel might be used to a small extent, but it is clear that the cost of such an improvement would be out of all reasonable proportion to resulting benefits. The board therefore concurs in the opinion of the district and division engineers that it is not advisable for the United States to undertake the improvement of Peace River, Fla., at this time. 7. In compliance with law, the board reports that there are no questions of terminal facilities, water power, or other related subjects which could be coordinated with the suggested improvement in such manner as to render the work advisable in the interests of commerce and navigation. For the board: PETER C. HAINS, Major General, United States Army, Retired, PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF PEACE RIVER, FLA. WAR DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, From: The District Engineer. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army (Through the Division Engineer). Subject: Preliminary examination of Peace River, Fla. 1. In compliance with instructions in letter of September 1, 1917, report is submitted of a preliminary examination of Peace River, |