The morning times., 1896-04-29

Col. William Ludlow, chairman OF the
board OF engineers officers, which last
summer investigated the Nicaragua Canal
project, detailed TO the House Comm cree
Committee yesterday the nature of the
observations made by them while IN Cen
trail America, the circumstance surround
ing their work, and the conclusions reached
as to the cost and practicabnity Cf a
canal.
The occasion lost some OF its official
formality by reason OF the queries Which
were addressed To Col. Ludlow by the COM
mlttee, with the result that a more thor
ough understanding was reached than il
his remarks had taken the form Of set
speech.
He explained to the committee that the
board had no instructions from any per-
son with regard TO the conduct OF their
investigation, except those from rhc Sec
retary OF State, the late Mr.. Gresham.
The board had an interview with frcsi-
dent Cleveland before leaving for Nicaragua
IN order TO thank him for their scveral
appointments, on which occasion The iIlem-
bers expressed their views as to the nature
OF their duty.
They told the President they hoped to
be able to make a report which wu.ld be
satisfactory TO the engineering world Tie
President replied that he was pleased to
hear that, and added that the board had
been constituted so that it would make
just such report. In blocking out the
work they estimated that six months would
be necessary in order to complete il, and
il was decided to divide the time between
their labor in the field aud in New York.
THE ONLY ENGINEERS.
The board spent three months on the
iSthmus, forty days OF this time in Mic
aragua. They went over every foot
OF the route. They made as thorough an
investig igatlon OF the physics as was pUssi-
bic in Journey OF that character.
We are the only engineers who have
ever been over the entire route" said Col.
Ludlow, Significantly. Il make 10 eX-
Cep ion. IL Is true TO this day
The board went 10 Costa Rtca, where they
studied the various subjects connected
with rainfall ana climate, subsequently
visiting Colon where another investigation
was made or the Panama Canal and the
effect Of the rainfall in ttiat re eion. They
returned TO New York in July last.
Representative PattcTsou-you all con-
curin the opinion thata canalispra ctica bic?
Col. Ludlow Entirely so.
Mr.. Patterson Within what limitations?
Col. Ludlow-We don't think that the m
formation necessary TO answer that ques-
ton fully is available.
Mr.. Pattcrson-D6 You think 1t could he
built for $I25 600 900?
Col. Ludlow-I don't think il can.
Mr.. Pattcrson-One hundred and fifty MIL
llons'
Col Ludlow We think so
Continuing. Col. Ludlow explained that
the board had made provisional estimate
Of $134.000,G00 to cover the cost "f con-
struction, but that hc no W wished they had
fixed IL q t 81 100000.
THE PROBABLE COST.
In answer to a further question II n safe
ana cummodious canal, sufficient for COM
uercial purposes, could be built for $780,
0OU, 1000, he replied that IL was probable.
He added. however, that some hydraulic
data must first be procured before ne could
speak accurately. He thought there were
better ways of building the canal than those
formulated by the cCmpany, some of which
he regarded Us impraCiCable He thought
the Tola dam was the worst feature Of the
project because there was no foundation
for the canal.
After some questioning Col. Ludlow eX-
pressed the belief that the company had of
course the alternative OF 4Cw level, com
mon sense canal.
Representative wart-Would such a
canal be n source of naval weakness?
Col. Ludlow was apparently disinClined
TO discuss this question, for he quickly
replied, The sc are wide questions
He stated, however, that II we wanted to
protect the canal it would require some
naval force at both ends. Continuing, he
said the board had kept in mind the neCcs-
sity of canal capable of accommodating
the needs of the navy.
Questioned as to his knowledge of en-
gineering matters, he explained that he had
been connected with river and harbor work
all of his life and was familiar with dredging
and contract work and navigation and
lighthouse work, but that he had never
constructed a canal.
He said that his Investigations of foreign
canals had not affected his views of the
physics of the Nicara guam question. The
construction OF the Ochoa dam, he said,
gives great cause for consideration 1t Is
absolutely without precedent in canal
building.