The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-19

tivH Engineer Endicotf Before the House
COMMITTEES.

WASHINGTON, April ll-Civn En-
gineer NJ. 4. Endicott. who was one OF
the board Of engineer officers who in
vestigated the Nicaragua canal route last
summer, appeared before the House Com
merce Committee this morning. lie de-
tailed the work performed at Nicaragua
The members OF the board spent seven
days at Groytown, which he regarded as
a most important point, and In all
forty-two days in Nicaragua. Thirty -four
days Of this time were consumed in actuaI
field work, and not fourteen, as had
been stated.
Mr.. Endicott regarded the company's
plans as impracticable in some ways,
and spoke particularly Of the difficulty
of maintaining the summit level Of the
canal without raising the dams four
feet higher than was contemporaries
change which would involve great ex-
pense.
lie showed that the dangers resulting
from Illness would increase the further
the work was extended into the interior,
as the result OF exposing the clay banks.
While he regarded the companys plans
as impracticable, he did not doubt that
a canal would be built. lie believed a
canal along the line of the proposed route
to be practicable, and he thought tnat
when completed it would meet all ex-
pectations.
Speaking of the canal from a military
rather than a commercial STANDPOINT, ne
expires sed the belief that in the event
of war with Great Britain, the United
States would have TO abandon II, not
being strong enough now 10 hold II. IT
the limited States possessed the naval
strength Of Great Britain, it could easily
be maintained. The canal Mr.. Endicott
thought, would cost 35,oo0,0O0. not count
ing the interest on the money invested
with that amount the Government could
construct Il canal with navlgabie depth
of twenty-eight feet.
Mr. Fndleott was asked If the modifica'
tons suggested by the board should be
adopted. whether he still would ADVISE
that the Government should construct
the canal. He replied that he would, IL
the Government puIposed having the
waterway built. He thought the united
States ought TO own canal connecting
the waters Of the Atlantic and the Pa
clGc. This was really a military neces-
sity. He did not know OF any route
nora favorable tran the one under con
gideration. lie regarded the Tehuan-
,enec route as an ideal one. put the
expensa involved would be greater. From
a strategic standpoint, however. II was
the better OF the two. as 1t could be de-
Tended more easily.
Tho Nicaragua canal, he believed, could
he used for ships OF the largest CLASS
Speaking Of the Panama canal ne re-
marked incidentally, that the GAINS there
were a detriment TO navigation, ana that
the Nicaragua route was preferable, mas
much as the trade w'ads at poth eN,
tremities favored sailing vessels. lie mao
been Informed that the Panama cana
could be completed for slo.ooV' lie
knew nothing personally OF the matter
Mr. Fndicott was questioned as to
the improvements made by the canal
compauy at Greytown, and along the
line OF the route. The work at Grey
town harbor he regarded as in bad con-
dition. The pier was worm-eaten, and
there was not much left there OF any
value. One mile OF the canal had been
built at GreytOwn TO the depth of six.
teen feet. IL was in good condition
He spoke Of the plant generally at that
point, and did not regard it as worth
more than 100000 The machinery was
old and If the work should be renewed
that would need TO be supplanted by i'm
proved machinery; which had come on the
market since the present plant mad been
established. The present plant when new
was worth probably $3.50. 900.
Mr.. Endicott did not agree with Mr.
Menocai that the canal could be con-
structed for SOO00.0c0. or for anything
less than The boards estimates. He would
not advise Congress to build the canai
now. He thought II would be better 10
delay and make more exhaustive surveys
and calculations. These surveys should
De extended through n period Of eighteen
months, so that the work could be pro-
tracted through two dry seasons. So
much. he said. depended upon The by
drauhc data, which the company had not
collected with sufficient fullness, that a
delay in beginning the work was neces-
sary.-New York Times.