The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-08-29
ADDRESS
DELIVERED BY CAPT. cARTHELL
On the "inter- Oceanic Problem and Its
seientihc ssiution," Before the As
ISOLATION for the Advancement
OF Science, at Ann Ar
Dor, Michigan,

'1'A'hp N0A'otou polore tne aBBOcia- |
lion for the Adyanoemt of Science.
"The accomplishment OF scienoe in
,reases its requirements. The mos. |
serious obstacles have been overcome. |
All except this one that lies in the cen.
ire OF the world-a narrow neck of |
and uniting two continents and al |
lowing no passage. All interests and
Iree interchange of commerce IL seri.
ously hampered by this inter.oceanic
problem. The great expense of
trans-shipment xc 'udes the extensive
use OF ordinary railroads. Cereals OF
the Pacific and other products, agri.
cultural and manufactured, traverse
long and expensive routes TO markets.
our manufacturers, who turn out over
5000, 900, 900 worth annually, exporting
only per cent, cannot participate In
the S2,0O0,000,0 600 worth OF trade in far
Pacific countries. This has been con-
Hl tered Tor centurles. It has been en-
amined, surveyed, plans made
and projected, but nothing
resulted. There are three routes
paaams, Nicaragua and Tehauntepeo.
Assuming tho prlcticsbility of the
last, its advantages will be acknowl-
edged. It's commercial advantages
are advanced by the fact that 1t is near
the axisl line OF production, passing
through Hong Kong, San francisco,
New YORK and Liverpool, and ita nau-
ucal conditions much more favorable.
"fho trus scientific method is that
which transfers ships from ocean to
ocean most promptly and economi-
cslly. This method IL by a ship rail-
way. lts details embrace the lifting
80
rams, 30 arranged 81 to hold up and
perfectly distribute weight of vessels.
and regulated system OF carriage
vessels hulls; the P'roSd road.bsd n'e5 to-
be built OF material to be
found along the whole length OF tho
railway; superstructuro TO be of long
steel ties, ON which will be laid heavy
steel rails, Weighing about 100 pounds
per lineal yard; powerful locomotives,
weighing l02 tons net, with capacity
OF $4,000 gross tons on the level, will
haul ships across the iathmus. Thre
OF these will haul maximum load
OF $500 tons 10 miles an hour,
on grades up TO 20 feet TO the mile.
Abiubt changes In tho direction of the
road, made necessary by following the
valleys, are accomplished by means
OF floating turntables. Habors at
both ends are commodius and excel
lent. Large numbers OF experts, who
examined the plans, testify To its prec-
ticebility and economy. The time
has passed for proving the feasibility
OF the IN )th0d, Its superior economy
In construction aud operation Is the
next subject TO be- considered. Ordi-
nary canals and railroads have been
tried, the latter being superior in
| economy and dispatch. In tho shiI
canals and ship railways, the differenct
In favor OF tho latter is greater. His
torlcal examination of the actual cos
OF moving freight by canal and rail,
road, shows that the latter Ia fer In ad
vance OF the fermer In economy ani
In question of time. There is a still
creator difference In the carrying ou
tendencies evident in the ccsI OF rail
road transportation, and instead OF tn,
average load OILS or 30 tons, tho maxi.
mum moving on two rails
Will be 1900 tons. BY MOVING
on six rails, and with greal
concentrated motive power, freight
Will DO hRulad for two-tenths OF q mil
poo ton. The difference of sueed would
bo ono 10 two miles on ship canal Il
10 miles on ship railway. The OK.
ponsO OF transportation by canal Ia five
times that kofc railroad. Its stnti,
advantages are Important and obyi
ous. Seven million tons of freigh
are in sight for transportation
oyer the railway In 1889. The railway
can be built and equipped in foui
years time. Fifty millions OF dollari
in cash will complete everything read,
for business. The estimate In stool
and bonds, allowing for all possible
contingencies. 10, $40 100000. Ever
with only 100000 tons the net prof
would be IA X per cent. Tho beneficial
results cannot be over-estimated.n
Tho address printed in full is Illus
trated by plates of plans and maps o
the world and of tho isthmus. TIL,
following resolutions were adopted b,
the association;
WHEREAS, The attention OF thi
association has been called TO artic 10
In the public press, pulportlng 10 give
and presumably by authority, an oi
nNiAl report OF a commiSsion appolnte
by tho treasury department
TO investlgato tho condition O
the United States coast survs
Office, In which report the value OF Gel
tain clentiic work IN designated q
"moagreH and,
WHEREAS, This association d,
siros 10 express hope that the deei,
ion ~ TO the utility OF such sclentlil
vor; fhNy &C referred 10 sclentlfi
mon; therefore, no it
Resolved, That the American Assc
citation for the Advancemento OF Sclenc
is in earnest sympathY with the gov
ernment In Its every interest to secure
the greatest possible efficiency OF tn,
public service.
Resolved, That the value of the sci
entitio work performed in the various
departments OF the government cal
be bsst Judged by scientific mon.
Resolved, That this association dc
sires 70 express Its earnest approval
OF the extent and high character of tn
work performed by tho United Statei
coast survey, especially as Illus
trsted by the determination
now In progress, and 10 expires
tho hope that such valuabl
work may not be interrupted.
Resolved, That this association OK
presses, also, the hope that the govern
ment will not allow any technical rul
10 bs established that shall necessl
rlly confine Its scientific works TO II
own employees.
Resolved, That in the opinion of Oh
American Association for the Ad
vancement OF Science, tho head OF th
coast survey, by, and with tho adviC
or the Senate, should have the highel
possible showing among scientific me
aud should command their entire con
hdonce.
Resolved, That copies OF these res,
lutlons shall bo prepared by Oh
general secretary, and certified TO
the president OF the association aud b
the permanent secretary, and shall /
forwarded TO the president of tn
United States aud the secretary of th
treasury, and given TO the press.