The New York herald., 1879-12-30
AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY

THE SUBJECT OF THE INrERoCEANIC RAILROADS
DIscUssED-THE ADVANTAGES OF THE vARI-
GUS ROUTES SET FORTH.
meeting of the American Geographical Society
was held at their rooms. No. II West Twenty
street. last evening". for final discussion of tho
interoceanic railroad question. which has engaged
the attention Of the society for years past The
president. Chief Justice DAILY. occupied the chair.
Among those present were General George W. Gull
lum. United States Army; General Egbert L. viele.
Colonel Woodruff United States Army; Major g. r.
Shelbourne and N. L. Bailey. Mr.. H. H. Hall.
civil engineer. who has spent time
in Central America. set forth in detail tho plan for
constructing the Tehnantepoc Interocean Railroad.
The eastern terminus Of the road will bo at the
mouth of the Goatzacoacos River. about hundred
and ten miles southeasterly from Vera Cruz Tho
line will run thence enthusiastically across the
plains to the mountain range. thence across tho
range through Chivela Pass, and thence across
the plains to tho inland lake called the
Upper Lagoon. on the Pacific coast The length Of
the main line will be between one hundred and forty
and one hundred and fifty miles. The road Will
traverse an exceedingly healthful and productive
country. with easy grades and for the most part
duiring comparatively inexpensive preparation for
the superstructure. The mountain section presents
no unusual serious obstacles. and can also be
commodious and easy Of by tho largest clasa
of vessels. will be constructed at the mouth Of ths
Goatxacoalaos by deepening the present channel
over tho bar for distance of GOO feet. At each
terminus win be constructed all desirable facilities
for receiving and dischargng cargoes direct to and
from the ships alongside the wharves. whereby
immense business which Is forced
around Cape Horn will be drawn to the
route The Atlantic terminus will be 666 miles south
from Galveston, 725 miles west-southwost from
Havana, 800 miles southwest from New Orleans.
1905 miles from New York and 2.076 miles from San
Francisco. Tho route from New York to San
shorter than by, the Panama ine and when
tage will be largely increased. The route will
materially shorten all lines of communication be
oceans. Australian wool by this route can be
delivered in England in Atty or hfty.ave DAYS.
y snS Ssy while sas. osss ss DAMAGE q
crossing the equator ssa Tns aso estimated cost
which they set forth the entire feasibility Of the
Tehuantepec route. He said that six civil engineers
upon the railroad. which, when completed, would
prove Of great advantage to the United States. espe
cially In our trade with India.
Mr.. John E. Body. president Of the Central Araerf-
can Transit which e said SS Gee the
asuan Republic to construct what is known % the
proposed interoceanic canal through that country
He not favorably disposed toward tunnels, he
said their feasibility could only be shown after their
completion. No one. he contended knew that
the Andes mountains were solid st their base. butt
the contrary. it was believed by many that their
base was composed Of trap rock which II tunnelled
would not be able to support itself. All routes
cept the Nicaraguan route, he said have these tuh-
nes Tor feature. He asserted that to cut tunnel
the level of the ocean through the trap rock OF
the Andes that would admit of ships passing
through It would cost more than tho national debt.
Mr.. Frederick M. Kelley spoke in favor Of the San
Bias route and said that Il would cost 500 900
to cut and keep in repair canal through any part
Of the Isthmus and pointed out the superior natural
advantages Of the route he advocated.
After some further remarks by Mr.. ]. @. Battersby
the President said that 1t was not probable the
society would sit again to hear further discussion
on the subject. He said the information spread
before them would. when printed. give 9
clear idea Of the merits Of the several
proposed routes. II they concluded to hear more In
regard to the subject due notice would be given to
the members. He also said that he had recently
ceived letter from M de Lesseps stating that afteR
visiting Panama he would come TO this city. II he
here the society intended to give him Attins
reception. The meeting then adjourned.