Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-05
COMMISSION FAvORS
THE N|cARAGUAN CANAL.
REPORT OFF INVESTIGATION PRE-.
SENTED TO CONGRESS
YESTERDAY.
THE COST WILL BE ENORMOUS
PANAMA ROUTE WOULD BE CHEAP
Err, BUT THERE ARE COMPEN-
STATING ADVANTAGES.


that "the most practicable and feas-
ible route for an isthmian canal, UNI
der the control, management and
ownership of the United States, is that
known as the Nicaragua route"
The commission estimates the cost
at 5000, $4,000. This estimate is much
in excess of any heretofore made, and
is due to increased dimensions and
other features not heretofore consid-
cred. The commission also estimates
the cost of a canal by the Panama
route at SAP, $40, according to one
route, or $156,378,25 according to an
other route. AS between the Nicara-
qua and Panama route the commission
sums up a number Of Advantages ia
vorable 10 the former.
Although the work of the commits
sion is not yet completed many of the
field parties still being out, yet it has
been sufficiently advanced to make 1t
practicable TO present this prelimin-
airy report, giving the essential fig
ures.
A detailed description is given OF
the trip over the several routes. Along
the Nicaragua route it was found that
the short section of partially con-
structed canal is perhaps in as good
shape to-day as it was when the work
was stopped. Along the Panama
route the commission found large
force of workmen engaged upon the
canal line, about 2,0G0 in number, ac-
cording to the Panama company. The
canal had been opened to some extent
at both ends. Immense quantities OF
machinery, tools and implements were
found. Trips were also made along
the Darien route.
After going over the several routes,
the commission considered the dimen-
tions of the canal to be built. Having
in mind the increasing size of ocean
going vessels, it was determined to fix
upon a depth of So feet at mean low
water and bottom width of $50 feet,
with some increase of dimensions at
certain points. The size of the locks
is 74O feet length, 81 feet width, in
the clear, with depth of 50 feet.
Taking up the Nicaragua route in
detail the commission says that the
route adopted follows essentially the
lines laid down by the Nicaragua
canal commission in its report OF 1897
1899. 1t begins near Greytown, on
the Atlantic side, follows the San Juan
river, enters Lake Nicaragua and ter
inmates at Brito on the Pacific side.
The distance from ocean to ocean is
about 1856 miles. Plans are given for
the great harbors required az Grey
town and BritO. The most difficult
engineering work is the dam across
the San Jaun river, to regulate the
waters OF the lake. The time required
to build the canal hinges almost en-
tirely on the time required for the
construction of this dam. The COM
mission says eight years would prob
ably be a reasonable estimate for the
time of building it. At least two
years will be consumed in preparatory
work and opening a harbor at Grey
town, SO that If work on the dam
should be commenced Immediately
thereafter, the time required for com
plotting the entire work will be about
ten years.
The commission then submits the
following estimated cost Of a canal
on the Nicaragua route: Eastern di-
vision (from Greytown to Boca San
Carlos dam, $50 1862, 900; middle divis-
ion (from Boca San Carlos dam to Las
Lajas), $25, 425, 0O0 western division
(from Las Lajas to Brito), $51 $50 600:
98 miles of railroad, S7350,000. Total,
Sl67117,O00. Engineering, police, san
itation and general contingencies, $685.
429OOO; aggregate, $500, 100000
This estimate is for a canal suitable
for navigation by the largest ships now
in existence, and thus in accordance
with the terms Of the bill pending in
Congress. 1t provides for a double sys-
TEN of locks, so that navigation can be
maintained if one system is closed for
repairs or renewals. If a single LOCK-
age system is provided the cost will be
reduced $10,,67S,000, Narrowing the
bottom one-third will permit further
reduction of s16, 5000. This would
bring the estimated cost down to $685.
$4,000
Concerning the Panama route. the
commission says its natural attraction
lies in the combination OF very mar
row isthmus with a low summit. The
width of the isthmus is less than 35
miles, while the summit is nearly 800
feet above mean tide
The commission reports that the
value OF the French work already done
is estimated at 1898 ss34 463.
1t lis estimated that the tonnage that
would use the canal will amount to
10000 tons in 1909. Referring to the
commercial advantages of an isthmian
waterway, the report says:
AS compared with Europe, the Unit
ed States will derive from the canal fan
greater benefits, both commercially and
industrially. The commerce of Europe
with the Pacific coast of North. Cen
trail and South America, under existing
conditions, is somewhat larger than the
total volume of the present traffic of
the United States that may be consid-
cred tributary to the canal; but this
fact does not indicate the relative ad-
vantages which the canal will possess
for the trade of Europe and that of the
United States. As soon as it has been
opened our trade with the west coast
of South America will rapidly increase
as will also the volume of our trade
with the Orient The amount of the
American commerce through the canal
will quickly surpass the total amount
of Europe's traffic.
The report concludes as follows: sfIn
view OF all the facts and Darticularlv