The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-04
LESS THAN ESTIMATE
PROBABLE COST OF THE NICAR-
Aqua CANAL
A Material Change in the Prospect in
the Last Six Months-Some
Interesting Facts

CHICAGO, Aug. 3-Lyman E. Cooley,
the well-known civil engineer. after visit
East and a conference in New York with
representatives of the Maritime Canal Com
pany, owners of all the rights and conces-
s!ons along the proposed route Of the Nc
araguan canal, believes the government OF
the United States will construct the great
water way in preference to letting the con-
tract to separate companies or corporations.
Mr.. Cooley says that on this point the COM
plexion of the Nicaragua Canal matter has
been changed perceptbly since last winter.
when he, with party Of engineers. looked
over the ground of the enterprise.
On being shown dispatch from Wash
ington that Admiral Walker Of the Canal
Commission had received a number of re-
ports indicating that the cost would be
much less that heretofore estimated, Mr..
Cooley presented list of recent discover
les which he believes are responsible for Ad-
miral Walkers opinions. The gist Of these
are:
Six miles Of dredging In the lower end
of Lake Nicaragua
Non-existence Of rock In San Juan river
to Toro Rapids.
Good foundation for immense dam at
Ochoa.
Favorable conditions for entertainments
at San Francisco basin.
New site for q dam at Tanbor Grande.
According to the estimate of the form,l-
lator. saving of several million dollars is
reported in these items.
The expense incurred by the government
in war, and the rapidly developing indica-
tons that the Nicaragua Canal cannot only
be constructed more cheaply than at first
imagined but ought to be built by Uncle
Sam himself are conspiring, he intima ted
to assure the waterway connection between
the Atlantic and Pacific within a few years.
president Mckinley" said Mr. Cooley,
land many of the leading members of Con-
gress now appreciate more than ever be-
fore the supreme Importance Of the canal
to our country. Senator Morgan said TO
me not long ago that the annexation of
Hawaii practically clears up the question
of the immediate necessity of the Nicara-
guam Canal. 1t is a question, however,
whether or not Congress will be able to
pass the proposed laws or take the proper
action at the short session In the fall, to
enable the work to be begun at an early
date.
THE construction of the waterway will
not be a tremendous undertaking, though
1t may take several years to complete It,
The Maritime Canal Company asks for
81 500, 900 from the government to reinquish
all of its rights and concessions.
1.-THE company, it is understood. will take
seven million dollars in the stock of a new
company that the government might form
and $780, 600 from the government to valid
ate its bonds. The company bought out all
the concessions of the old Nicaragua Asso-
citation, which Is said to have expended
something like $1,000 600. The Maritime Ca
nal Company was then organized and 1t has
spent $1,000 900 in Nicaragua on the canal
undertaking. but had to quit work. The
company is perfectly right when 1t says
that no private corporation could be ex-
pected to take up the canal project now
since Congress has put Its hand IN the mat
ter, and when there Is a strong likelihood
of the government building the ditch itself.
at is not definitely known that the COM
mission will be ready with It's report dur
Ing the short session of Congress. A report
may be submitted and may cause a vast