The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-12
EITHER ROUTE FEASIBLE
INTEROCEANIC CANAL COMMISSION
ERs EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
Say There Are No Engineering Diff
cuIties to Prevent a waterway
Across Central America.

WASHINGTON, May II. - The entire
membership of the Interoceanic Canal
Commission appeared to-day before the
Senate committee in charge of the Hep
burn BILL Great interest was manifested
in the meeting, as it was hoped the COM
mission would be able to aid the committee
desirable to proceed at once with the legis-
lation on this subject or defer action until
the next session of Congress. Admiral
Walker, the president of this and the pre-
ceding commission, was accompanied by
Professor Haupt, Colonels Ernst and
Hams, Messrs. Morrison, Noble and Burr
and ex-senator Pasco, constituting the
body now examining the various routes
across the isthmus. A number of the en-
gineering experts and attaches also were
present.
All of the members Of the commission
were given an opportunity to express their
views and were questioned at considerable
length by the senators. There appeared to
be no division Of sentiment on the main
points involved. although the members
were loath to express opinions of final
character in the midst of their investiga-
tions AS to the Nicaragua route. they re-
iterated what the Walker commission has
reported-that the waterway is entirely
practicable from an engineering stand
point, at about the same range of esti-
mates heretofore made, from $11S,0OO 900 to
$40, ,0O0, 900. Since these estimates were
made, however, the commission has de-
termined upon larger locks, and this may
increase the figures somewhat. Concerning
the Panama route, the members of the
commission expressed hesitancy about CIV
ing definite opinions, as they have not the
same amount of information as on the
other. In a general way, however. they
seemed to agree that there was no obstacle
to building the canal so far as engineer
ing cosiderations were involved, but they
were not prepared at this time TO give an
estimate of its cost. For the same reason
the commissioners avoided committing
themselves as between the two routes.
Their hearing showed that both routes
were feasible as engineering projects. but
did not develop any special influence on the
pending legislation.
Representative O'Grady introduced to the
President to-day a number of prominent
citizens of Rochester, N. Y, who came to
invite him to attend the reception and ban
quet to be given to General Otis on his re-
turn from the Philippines on June Is. The
President spoke of General Otis in terms of
high praise and said he would esteem 1t a
privilege to join in doing him honor. He
questioned, however, the propriety of his
doing so. TO one, in his Judgment should
be present. who, by reason of his superior
rank, would necessarily share the honors
which were intended for General Otis alone.
He would, however. talk the matter over
regular army would be represented by such
troops as were available.
Mr. Davis in the Senate to-day intro
duced a joint resolution declaring that the
people of the United States appreciate the
erection in Paris of the Lafayette statue
and regard it as expressing the honor
and gratitude with which they cherish the
memory OF Lafayette and those of his
cotintrymen who assisted in securing the
independence of the United States The
President is requested to transmit a copy
of the resolution to the French govern
ment.
xxx
President and Mrs Mckinley gave a din
ner at the White House, tonight, in honor
of Governor and Mrs. Roosevelt. The
guests invited to meet them were: The Sec
retary of state and wife. the secretary of
war and wife. the attorney general, the
postmaster general and wife. the secretary
OF the navy. the secretary Of the interior
and wife. the secretary of agriculture and
Miss Wilson. Senator Depew. Representa-
tive and Mrs HIT secretary United States
embassy at London. Commander William
s. Ccwles and Mrs. Cowles.