The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-25
THE PHILIPPINE CABLE.
REASONS WHY ANY CABLE LAID
SHOULD BE MADE ~ 7HI> COUNTRY.
Mr.. Herbert Satterlee Explains the Making
and Laying Of the Cable-Mnny Firms
Here Able to Make IT The Cost OF
Duplicating It-Plans Before Congress.

Mr.. Herbert Satterlee Explains the Making
and Laying Of the Cable-Mnny Firms
Here Able to Make It The Cost Of
Duplicating It-Plans Before Congress.
The President. In a special message to Con-
sress. dated Feb. 10. 1899. urged the construc-
tioa Of Q trans-Paciac cable to connect the
coast OF California with the Hawaiian Islands,
Guam and the Philippines. Several bills have
been introduced In Congress authorizing the
construction OF the cable. and are now being
considered By the Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce oil the House OF Rcpresen.
tatives and the Committee on Naval Affairs Of
the Senate, Some OF these bills provide that
the cable shall be built and laid directly by the
Uni ed States Government: others are de-
signed 70 authorize a private corporation tn
Operate and maintain the cable. and several OF
them provide for the establishment OF a COM
mission OF Governmental officers and engi-
recrs which shall supervise the entire matter.
The representatives Of the cable COMPANIES
who desire to own and operate the cable under
a Government subsidy have frankly stated
that II they got the contract they would have
the cable built abroad. probably in England.
aud interests allied with the cable manu'ac-
turcrs are therefore making a determined
fight in Washington 10 secure tho passage OF a
till placing the cable in the hands OF q subsi.
died company.
The House Committee has decided against
the Government owning and operating the
cable. and it will, therefore. DOUBTLESS recon-
mend n iii favorable 10 the subsidized COM
NAMES. Many members Of Congress, however.
are opposed 10 the principle Of buying this
cable broad. and believe that the millions Of
dollar -hich /. will COS. should be spent In
this country. The question. Of course. has
arisen Us to whether American manufacturer
are able to produce such n cable as Is required.
md can lay il within the time init Mt a cost
which the Government can afford to pay, Mr..
Herbert J.. Satterlee. who represents several OF
the largest cable manufacturing interests In
this country. was asked for his views on these
points.
"The proposed trans-pacinc cable" said Mr..
satter,ee. will be laid in four lengths or
spans; the route has lust been surveyed by
the navy collier Nero. which has been fitted up
as a cnble.sounding ship. This survey has
proved that what is known as the all-American
route is entirely feasible. The first span
would be from san Francisco to Honolulu. a
distance Of 2,1OO knots or sea miles the Sec
ond. from Honolulu to Midway Islands. LOO
knots the third. from Midway Islands TO Guam
Island. 2,2sO knots. the fourth, from Guam
Island to Dingala Bay, Luzon. Philippine ISL
nnds. 1872 knots, or a total OF V'12 Knots,
cent extra length Of cable on account Of devia-
ton from a horizontal line; owing to irreeu-
~larities on the bottom. and about D per cent.
Tor lateral deviation from the direct route.
This make a total allowance Of 90 per. cent.
for slack as II is called so that q cable ~
s.2oi knots to go over this route would have to
h. provided.
This cable can readily bo made in this
country. At least eleven manufacturing con
Germs have already supplied submarine cabls
H. the United States Govern inent. Al the
Qualifications Of the Atlantic. Gulf and Pacific
COASTS are connected whore submarine cable
IL used with American built cable. The Light
House Board. Lie Saving Service and various