The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-08
THENICARAGUAN CANAL
the CAM BOfKD EsIIu1TES THE
COsT IT Sf3J,ss.,s93.
The President Transmits the Report to
Congress-some of tho Expenses Would
Not he Incurred Elsewhere.

WASHINGTON, Feb. THE President
to-day transmitted the report OF the spe-
ciai committee TO Inspect and report Oh
the route OF the Nicaraguan canal
The report OF the Canal Board includes
an estimate OF the cost Of the construc-
ton Of the canal. which they place on the
low level line at Si5S l12,s93.
The company's estimates arc shown 10
be on the low level line S9j.Nso,bJu The
1 board think the expenses VIII be about
twice the amount that would be required
/ 10 construct II I'm the United States
The most serious problems affecting
the design and construction OF the canal
system at the present time. the report
finds, are those involved In the heavy
rainfall and consequent discharges from
the lake streams, whose variations OF
surface and volume must be taken into
account.
THE RAINFALL
The rainfall record at Greytown for q
period Of three years was mean OF 20
inches.
4 record at Rivas. on the west side.
for fourteen years. gives mean OF %
inches. IN addition 10 these there u
reliable Information OF precipitation OF
> degrees in an hour. OF degrees in nine
hours, and 80 degrees.
The report shows that the climate OF
Nicaragua is misunderstood. II Is the
junction with the high humidity. 80 great
~ reduces the value OF physical labor.
The heavy rainfall VIII increase largely
the cost OF eXcavating the deep mud AZ
several embanhment sites, ia excavation,
buildings, entertainments, etc.
The natives are not likely 10 prove
useful in the severe and steady work o.
canal construction. Jamaica negroes
who have been employed on the Panama
railway are dOciie, ana, from tropical
standpoint, industrious and fairly Ell
Wages are only about one-half as much
as in the United States, but the efficiency
OF the laborers is proporuonately much
UNUSUAL EXPENSES.
Machinery will be used largely, but VIII
be Of little value after the compl.tivh
of the canal, and little II any VIII be
worth removal. Its entire cost woulo'
therefore, be charged TO the canal con-
struction, making the plant charge mgh0i
than usual.
Fnore are no shops or facilities OF any
kind on or near the canal line. ahd thes
viii have to be supplied as adluncts OF
the work. Skilled labor will have TO be
imported. Fuel VIII cost more tnan dou-
BILE Freight on materials and supplies
viii increase their cost greatly, PaIuch-
larly il sent 10 interior points. ..-,
a large part OF the report - oftolso
To description Of the character on lne
soil. the work necessary 10 De perioIHl'1
at points along the proposed ioute' a''"
the expense attached TO TINS woth.
The entrance TO Greytown harpoi' "a
proposed by the company me report
says. IS 100 near the angle OF inc coast
line and The entrance 10 me cdhai sHouin
be moved eastward about mne Snu .
half The harbor throughout SHOULD De
dredged 70 thirty feet below l9w- water
line. and its depth increaS.d 70 ~
fathoms Details with regard to fhe
Jocks, dams, and basins follow
IN \
note Of the facility with which q preach
might be effectcu at any point OF tAe
long series OF 1mbankments employed IN
connection with the canal project
Ia regard to the OchOa dam as 1.s
posed b. the company. the report says thia
dam IS 10 be "A rock i'm across a powerful
river on sand foundation. \ cam so
constructed, the commission says, has
no precedent, and its erection IN conInct
with the unknown volume Of hoods pre-
sents grave difficulties.
ia regard to the western division from
the lake 10 Brio The report says
THE LAtLOk DAM.
The information with reference 10 ma
site proposed for the i.aiiOr dam lnul-
Gates that its construction Is in9Iacl-
cable. and the commission suggests an
alternative lOw-leve route, which ohers
no special difficulties I'm construction.
As 10 the terminus at Brito, the COM
mission suggests the desrabiiity OF NOV
ing IL southwark from the location pro-
posed ny the company.
The report closes with the following
general conclusion.
.'The official estimate by the company
of $6S, 466 $50 is Insufficient FOR the work.
In several important cases the quantities
must be greatly increased, and in nu-
merous cases the company does not make
proper allowance for the difference OF
cost of work in the United states and
Nicaragua. The provisional estimate by
the board is Sl33, AZ, Se3.'
It is understood that the existing data
| are INADEQUATE as a basis for estimating
| the cost OF many Of the structures; some
portions of the work may cost more,
others less. but in the judgment OF the
board the entire project can be executed
1 for about the total amount Of SIS estimate.
For obtaining the necessary data for the
| formation OF a canal project eighteen
months time covering two dry seasons
/ and an expenditure OF $4,000, will be re-