St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-29
SURVEY OF THE BIG DITCH.
Canal Officials Are Prodding
Grover to Secure Immedi-
ate Appointments.
DECISION ON INCOME TAX.
Rumor That Supreme Court
Goes Against the New
Law.

WASHINGTON,M March 2S-Messrs.
Warner Miller, Smith Weed, Hitch
cock and Bartlett, of New York,
called on the president, Secretary
Gresham and Secretary Lamont to-
day in connection with the appoint
ment of the commission to exam
inc the Nicaragua canal route, as
provided for by clause in the last
sundry civil appropriation bill.
This clause makes an appro-
priation of $4,000 for the pur-
pose of ascertaining the feasibility,
permanence and cost of construction
and completion Of the canal on the
present route, and provides for the
appointment of a commission, to be
composed Of one army engineer, one
naval engineer and one civilian ex-
pert to visit and inspect the canal.
The work is to be done under regu-
lations prescribed by the secretary
of state, and the president is to ap
point the commission. The latter is
alton from the present line that
it may deem desirable. The call
ers disclosed desire to appoint the
commissioners and equip an eXpedi-
ton to Nicaragua at the earliest day
practicable. No names were men
toned by the canal officers for the
places as commissioners, nor had
any names yet been considered by
the executive officers. 1t was def
nitely understood that
THE APPOINTMENTS
would be made soon. The $40, 1000 ap-
preparation will do no more than
pay salaries, leaving the great bulk
of the expense for transportation
in this inaccessible region, road
making, provisions, etc, to be sup
piled from other sources. Besides
this, there is scientific work of sur
veying, examining soils, etc. All of
these expenses the canal officials
gave assurances Of meeting. They
have the nucleus of an organiZa-
ton along the canal route, with rem
devious at Greytown and Managua.
At the conclusion of the confer
ence Chairman Bartlett, of the eX-
ecutive committee, which has recent
ly reorganized the company, outlined
the projected work.
1T is most desirable" said he,
that the expedition start at the
earliest day practicable. The rainy
season begins in May and lasts till
November, during which time the
rainfall is as high as four and five
inches daily. This and the climate
will make it
HARD FOR MEN UNTRIED
to the locality, but it will not be an
insuperable obstacle. The desire is
in order that a report may be ready
next December. 1t will require an or
ganization almost equal to an eXpe-
dition in the heart of Africa. Roads
along the route have been cut al
ready, but are overgrown with a
dense tropical foliage. Then there
are morasses and lagoons which will
compel the party to carry boats
overland. Supply depots will have
to be established about every five
miles, and communication MAIN
tanned with the base of supplies. The
company is willing to aid the gov
eminent by providing the means for
this extensive work.
THE purpose of congress appears
to be to secure comprehensive in
Vestigation of the route rather than
a survey, as a survey would be a
work of years. When the commits
sion is organized it will be put in
possession of all the drawings, de-