Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-12-07
AGAINST PANAMA. ROUTE.
The United States Commission
Makes Report FavOring the
Nicaragua Canal.
WILL COST OVER TWO HUNDRED MILLION
Panama Route Cheaper by S5s,OOO,-
600 Hut M Absolute Concession
Can lie Obtained from Colombia
strong Reasons why the Commits
sion FnVors .Nicnragunn Route.

Washington. Dec 4.-The report of the
isthmian canal commission submitted by
the president to congress Tuesday gives
as the unanimous conclusion OF that body
that the most practicable and feasible
route for an isthmian canal, under the
control, management and ownership OF
the United States, is that known as the
Nicaragua route"
The commission estimates the cost OF
this route at S2005i0.OO0. This estimate Is
much I'm excess of any heretofore made.
and is due 10 increased dimensions and
other features not heretofore considered.
Tn commission also estimates the cost OF
a canal by the Panama route at $i2.3i2-
SO, according TO one route, or $l563IS,21S,
according TO another route.
As between the Nicaragua and Panama
route the commission sums up number
of advantages favorable TO the former.
II states also that under the concessions
given by the government of Colombia to
the Panama Canal company, that goNerR-
mcnt is not free to grant the necessary
rights 10 the United States except upon
conditions made by the company.
4 Long Document.
The report is a document OF about 1000
words. almost as long as the presidents
message. Although the work OF the COM
mission is not yet completed, many OF
the field parties still being out, yet IL has
been sufficiently advanced TO make 1t
practicable To present this preliminary
report giving the essential findings
Thorough investigation Made.
4 thorough investigation has been made
not only of the Nicaragua and Panama
rotr-e but OF other possible routes, the
commission keeping in mind the indus
trial commercial and military value of
an intcr-oCeanic canal, and also the
rights, privilege and franchises necessary
4 h., ,,l.. ttssrfs ton, of a
canal under the control, management and
ownership of the United States.
Size of Canal Increased.
After going over the several routes, the
commission considered the dimensions of
the canal 10 be built Having IN mind the
increasing size of ocean-going vessels. IL
was determined TO fix upon depth OF 50
feet at mean low water and bottom
width of $50 feet, with some increase of
dimensions al certain points. These di-
mansions are larger than those proposed
for any previous canal scheme While
they may seem excessive to-day, the COM
mission points out that the canal Is not
likely 10 be opened within ten years, dur
ing which time the increase in maritime
dimensions is likely to continue.
width of $50 feet Will allow all but the
very largest ships TO pass each other in
the canal. while the locks are OF d.
mension to permit even the largest ships
ahoat to be manuevered The size OF
locks is 7i0 feet in length, st feet in
width, in the clear. with depth o. 30
feet.
Taking up the Nicaragua route in de-
tail the commission says that the route
adopted follows essentially the lines laid
down by the Nicaragua canal commission
I'm its report OF lS97-1S99. 1t begins near
Greytown on the Atlantic side, follows
81 Lake NiCaTa-
qua and terminates at Brito on the IA
clhc side The distance from ocean TO
ocean is about 1S6 miles. Plans are given
for the great harbors required at Grey
town and Brito. The most difficult en-
gineering work is the dam across the
San Juan river to regulate the waters OF
the lake.
Time of Building Canal.
The time required TO build the canal
hinges almost entirely on the time re-
quired for the construction OF this dam.
The commission says eight years would
probably be n reasonable estimate for the
time of building IL. At least two years
will be consumed in preparatory WORK
ard opening harbor at Greytown, so
tfat II work on the dam should bc com
menced Immediately thereafter, the time
REQUIRED for completing the entire work
will be about ten years.
The Estimated Cost.
The commission then submits the esti-
mated cost OF a canal on the Nicaragua
route, which totals $-o15o0oo. This osti-
mate is for q canal suitable for raViga-
ton 10y the largest ships now in exist
cuce. and thus in accordance with the
terms of tho bin pending iu congress.
Ii provides for double system OF locks.
so that navigation can be maintained u
one system bee closed for repairs or re-
ncwals. If single lockage system is pro-
a.. a. ff..t d. ii III.
Narrowing the bottom onc-third vii! per
nit further reduction of Sl6.@'o1o. This
would bring the estimated cost down L.
$lG39l30Oo
Cost of Panama Route.
Concerning the Panama route, the com
mission says its natural attraction lies
i'm the combination OF very narrow 18th
mus with "a low summit The width Of
the isthmus is less than 80 miles, while
the summit is barely go feet above mean
toe. After detailed description Of the
entire route. the commission gives the
estimated cost OF completing the Panama
canal route as $li2 ,3i2.579.
This estimate is capable Of reduction 10
S1l5.9i1 2lj if single locks and narrow
bottom are adopted. An alternative esti-
mate is submitted. based on having the
Alhaiuela dam built TO impound the wa
tiers OF the upper Chagres. This estimate
Sl56.35S, 25S.
ne commission reports lndt the Naiut
OF The French work already done is esti-
mated a S33. 934 1863.
II is estimated that the tonnage that
would use the canal will amount TO :. 03O, 02i
tons in 1888
The report then goes on 10 show the
immense commercial advantages 90 be de-
rived by the United States from the canal
The commission concludes with care
ful comparison OF the Nicaragua and Pan
anna routes IT shows that distances be.
tween Atlantic and Pacific ports are short.
or by the Nicaragua than the Panama
route. This is In part Offset by the in
creased time in getting through the Me
aragua canal. The latter route is report.
ed 10 be more favorable for sailing yes.
sells. The Nicaragua route is also regard
ed as advantageous through its develop
mont OF the country through which il
passes.
/. is pointed out that the Panama conces.
sion. now held by the French company
/ prohibits "A CesgiOn OF rights to any nation