The record-union., 1897-12-25
A Party Of Engineers viii Leave Next week
to Look Over the Route.
The Contractors Now Engaged IN
the Construction Of the Chicago
Drainage Canal at the Head OF
the Movenent-They viii ASK
No Assistance From congress
to Do the Work.

CHICAGO. Dec. PA special to the
Record from Washington, ID. e.,
says:
The steamer Finance, which sails
from New York next Thursday, car
ries an important delegation OF engl-
neers and contractors, who purpose 10
look over the route of the Nicaraguan
Canal on their own hook, without walt
ing cor the report of the commission
which the Government recently sent 10
revise the SURVEYS and estimates here
tofora submitted to Congress. AS Tar
as can be learned, this party has no
connection with and has asked no as
sistancc from the Government al
though Senator Morgan, who has al
ways taken the leading part in leglSla-
ton relating to the canal, has encour-
aged the Journey, and thinks that the
interest which has inspired the enter
prise is the mist favorable sign that
has lately appeared. The Senator un-
dersrands that the party will be COM
posa,i of some of the heaviest contrac-
tors of the Chicago Drainage Canal,
and that they viii be accompanied by
consulting engineers of their own
choice. who will assist them in max
ing a practical examination of the sew
eral routes that have been recommend
ed and preparing estimates of the cost
of construction. 1t is understood that
LYMAN +. Cooley the Well known en-
pineer. who was offered place upon
the Nicaraguan Commission and is a
member of the International Deep Wa
terway Commission, has been invited
TO accompany the party, and that +. r
Cragin of Chicago. who has been asso-
ciated with the Nicaraguan Maritime
Company for some months, will go as
the representative of that corporation.
Senator Morgan has not been furnished
with the names of the other gentlemen
1t is understood that the contractors
on the drainage canal are taking this
step With a view to utilizing their ma
chinfry and force of employees when
their present contracts are completed,
and if they find things to their salts
faction they purpose s45her to purchase
tne concession of the Maritime Com
panv or to enter into a contract to
complete the canal, taking a certain
amount of stocks and bonds in the cor
poration as their compensation.
Thay purpose, it is said, to accept as
a basis of their examinations the sur
vey made under the direction of Engi-
neer Nenocal in 1886, which has been
indorsed by a committee Of the most
competent experts in this country, Sc
lected by the American Institute of En-
gineers. The original estimate of the
outside cost of construction was $50
coo 900, including interest and contin-
gencies of every sort, although Mr..
Menocal always insisted that the canal
could he dug on that route. according
TO his plans. for S6o. .000, 900 and after
examining the machinery and economi-
cal methods which the construction of
the drainage canal in Illinois has de-
veloped, he claims that the work can
be lone now for so, 100000 Not long
ago Senator Morgan invited the con-
tractors on the drainage canal to visit
Washington and give their views to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs
While rome of them had ever made an
examination of the route, they all
agreed that Mr.. Menocals estimate
and computations We're reasonable and
that the cost of such excavation as will
be required along the line selected by
him in Nicaragua can be reduced at
least 80 per cent by the use of inn
proved machinery and processes they
have used upon the drainage canal.
The present situation in Nicaragua
requires that some action shall be
taken by the United States immediate
~ 70 preserve our rights under the ex-
listing treaty concessions. The Menocal
concession. upon which the present
company is working. and upon which
the legislation now pending in Congress
Is based, expires in 1899.
Senator Morgan does not think Great
Britain win ever attempt TO maintain
the petty concessions that interfere
with the right of the Canal Company.
although such an Interference would be
the cause of irritation and delay.
Il rejoice to see such men taking an
interest in the enterprise said Mr..
Morgan. They are the best men in
the world to assist US in its promotion.
They are practical men of affairs. They
have experience and knowledge and
reputation that viii make their testi-
mony o. the highest value and 1 am
glad they are going