The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-30
LULL ROUTE FAVORED
WILL COST, IT is THOUGHT,
ABOUT $23,O00,00O.
OFFERS NO VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEMS
viii be Safer and More Reliable When Com
pIeied than Maritime Canal compa-
nys Route. One Commissioner
Thinks Estimate too Small.
Thinks Estimate too Small.

Thinks Estimate too Small.
Washington, Dec. 29.-The full text of
the preliminary report of the Nicaraguan
Canal Commission was to-day made pub
lie. 1t is as follows:
Department of State, Nicaragua Canal
Commission
Washington. December 26th 1898.
''To the Honorable, the Secretary of
State, Washington, ID. c.:
Sir: We have the honor To acknowl-
edge the receipt of your letter of the
10Th inst. inclosing a copy of h resolu
ton of the Senate of the 18th of De
cember, requesting a report of the prog
ress made by this commission in investi-
eating the question of the proper route.
the feasibility and cost of construction
Of the Nicaraguan Canal.
This commission has understood the
law, by which it was constituted, ap-
proved June 4th, 1897, to require that
all routes heretofore proposed, having
any merit, are to be considered, new
routes that appear to have merit are to
be developed. and the entire region of
canal possibilities to be examined with
sufficient thoroughness TO enable Il just
and comprehensive comparison of the
various routes to be made and the most
desirable one selected. In short to en-
able this commission to make Il complete
and exhaustive report
with this in view, the commission
visited Nicaragua, personally examined
the entire canal region from ocean to
ocean. and employed some seventy en-
gineers with their laborers and helpers,
for 10 months, in making careful sur
veys and examination of the canal re-
gion. Some meteorological and hydrolog
ical observers are still continued in
Nicaragua with a view to obtain n full
year of observations of that nature.
'The required field work has been OBJ
taned.
"The reduction of this field work, to-
gether with the compilation and compari-
son of former surveys going back nearly
80 years, has been in progress for more
than months.
"The commission believes that the con
structon of II canal across Nicaragua is
entirely feasible.
"The estimates for two of the best
known characteristic routes have been
nearly completed. These routes are
known as the Maritime Canal Com
pany's route and the Lull Route. Their
estimated cost is approximately S124,-
100000 and S123, 100000 respectively.
The assumed dimensions are consdera-
bly, greater than ever before proposed,
both in length of locks and in width,
depth and radius of curvature of canal,
These increased dimensions have been
made necessary by the demands of mod
ern commerce, size and draft OF modern
ships etc. This has necessarily made a
corresponding increase in the estimated
cost and is in no way inconsistent with
the estimates made from former surveys
which contemplated Il much smaller and
cheaper canal.
"A canal of smaller dimensions, just
sufficient for present trade, is being es-
timated for. Such canal would cost
considerably less than the estimate for
a canal suitable for modern necessities
which is referred to above.
1T is the opinion Of this commission
that, of the two routes herewith esti-
mated for, the one called the Lull route
is the more desirable, because it isl
easier of construction, presents no prob
lens not well within good engineering
precedents. and will be safer and
more reliable canal when completed.
1t also believes that the dimensions and
form of construction preferred by the
commission are better than the cheaper
form with smaller dimensions, which |
would undoubtedly call for eXpensivel
improvements within short time after
its completion.
Both of the routes referred to above
admit of variance, which may reduce the
cost. These are now being considered |
by the commission.
"The work necessary for an eXhans- |
tive discussion of and report upon the
entire canal problem is being pushed as
rapidly as its great magnitude permits |
and, when completed the report will be
submitted without delay.
I'VE are. sir, with great respect,
'Your obedient servants,
j. Z. WALKER,
Rear Animal L. S. ~, President of
Commission.
LEWIS \. HAUpT Civil Engineer,
member
II concur with the other members of !
the commission in respect to the prog
ress of the work and the feasibility Of
the canal, but | think, in view of the
increased size Of the canal estimated,
and the difficulties incident to work in
tropical countries that the estimate Is
lower than il should be by about 20 per
cent.
PETER C.. HAMS,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers member;