The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-04
CANAL PROSPECTS BETTER.
GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE HOLD OF
NICARAGUA PROJECT.
War and Develorments Growing Ont
Of IL Have Proven Necessfty for
Its Construction and Many Once
Oppos<d Are Vow In Favor OF Ii.

CHICAGO. Aug. s.-Lyman z. Cooley,
the well-known civil engineer. after visit
Eas. for conference IN New York with
the rep-esentativ OF the Maritime Canal
Company. owners o. AL the rights and con-
eessions along the proposed route Of The
Nicaragua canal. believes the government
viii construct the great waterway II pref
ereace TO letting the contract to separate
companies or corporations. Mr.. Cooley
says tina; on this point the complexion %
the Nicaragua canal matter has been
changed peresptibiy since last winter.
when ne. with q party Of engineers, iook-
eo over the ground % the enterprise. On
being shown a dispatch from Washington
stating tina, Admiral Walker. Of the canal
company. rad received number % re-
ports. indicating that the cost would De
much less than heretofore estimated. Mr..
Cooley presented a list OF recent discov-
cries. which he believes are responsible for
Admiral Walker opinions. TIE gist OF
these are:
SIX miles % dredging IL me lower end
OF Lake Nicaragua.
No0-existence OF rock in San Juan river
10 Toro RAPIDS.
Good foundation for an immense dam st
Ochoa-
Favorable conditions for entertainments
at San Francisco basin
New site for A dam at Taabor Grande.
According 10 the estimate OF the ferrnu-
!ator. a saving o. several millions Of dol
lars is expected in these Items. The ex-
pense incurred by the government in the
war AID the rapidly developing indica tons
that the Nicaraguan canal can not only he
Constructed more cheapIy than at first
ina gined. but ought to be built by Uncle
Sam himself. are conspiring. ne intimated.
10 assure the waterway between the Allan
TIC and PACING within a few years.
President Mckinley" said Mr.. Cooley,
and many Of The leading members of con-
gtsss now appreciate more than ever be
1ore the supreme Importance Of the canal
10 our country. senator MOI gan said to
re not long ago that the annexation of
HtaWan practically clears UP the question
OF immediate necessity for the NicaraguAn
Canal. II Is a question, however, whether
or not congress VIII be able TO pass the
proposed laws or take the proper action
the work TO be begun al an early date.
The construction Of the waterway will
not be tremendous undertaking. though
il may take several years 20 complete Il.
The Maritime Canal Company asks for
81. j1v.gyo from the government to relin-
qaish all its rights and concessions.
ne lilpdIls, II Is VII take
S1."o,o0a in the stock OF new company
that the government might form. and
A,SD.pt from the government 10 validate
its bonds. The company bought out all the
concessions Of an Old Nicaragua assoeia-
ton, which Is said TO have expended some
thing like ss,o)ooo0 The Maritime Canal
Company was then organized and IL has
spent 100000 in Nicaragua on the canal.
but has TO quit work. The company is per-
fectly right when IL says ths' no private
corporation could be expected 10 take up
the canal project now, since congress has
put its hand in the matter and when there
is a strong likelihood OF the government
building the ditch itself.
1T Is not definitely known that the COM
mission will be ready with its report dur
ing the short session OF congress. 4 report
may be submitted, and may cause a vast
difference OF views as 10 what course
should be pursued Senator Morgan and
all other canal advocates appreciate these
things, but the manifest broadening OF the
scope OF our national policy OF late has
Impressed everyone so strongly that none
can see any obstacle large enough 70 pre-
vent the construction of what will be an
invaluable holding and possession Of the
United Slater in time OF peace and in time
Of war"