The age-herald., 1900-12-05
Number of Advantages Summed
 : Up in the Report
THE PANAMA RoUTE CONSIDERED
A Thorough Investigation Has Been Made of Both Routes, and the Cost is Estimated in Detail.
 Commercial Advantages.

Washington, December 1.-The T. port of the Isthmian Canal Commission submit ted by the President to Congress today gives the unanimous conclusion of that hody That the most practicable and feasi- ble route for an Isthmian canal, under the control, management and ownership of the United States is that known as the Nicar- agua route."
 The commission estimates the cost of this route at $2O0,54O OO0 This estimate Is much in excess of any heretofore made and is due to increased dimensions and other features not heretofore considered. The commission also estimate the cost of a canal by the Panama route at $l4l, ,322,57S, according to one route or $156,S7S 45S accori- ing to another route.
 As between the Nicaragua and Panama routes the commission sums up a number of advantages favorable to the former. It states also that under the concessions given by the Panama government to the Panama Canal Company, the company is not free to grant the necessary rights to the United States except upon conditions made by the company.
 Contains 17yooo Words.
 The report Is a document of about 1000 words, almost as long the Presidents message. Although the work of the com mission is not yet completed. many of the field psrties still being out, yet it has been sufficiently advised to make it practicable to present this preliminary report giving the essential findings thorough investi- hog .d,a Nicaragua and Panama =routes but of other possible routes, the commission keeping in mind the industrial, commercial and military value of an inter-oceanic canal and also the rights, privileges and franchises necessary to be secured for the construction of canal under the control, management and ownership of the United States. In all thirty-one working parties were organized and sent into the field, mak- ing a force of about 220 engineers and as- sistants besides about 600 laborers, boat men and other workmen employed in the various countries, total of more than 800. Meanwhile the members of the commission personally conducted various branches of the work. One party went to Paris. where they examined the details of the Panama canal project now being executed by the French company
 Detailed Descr. ptions.
 A detailed description is given of the trip over the several routes Along the Nicarag- ua route it was found that the short sec- tion partially constructed canal Is p,rhaps in as good shape to day as 1t was when the work was stopped. The buildings how ever, are all rotten and the dredges, boats, etc. are worthless. The commission inter- viewed President Zelaya and other leading officials of Nicaragua and found them greatly interested in the project. The oc- cupation of their territory by the United States for canal purposes did not seem to be- regarded as a serious obstacle, provided the sovereignty of the Republic was respected. Along the Panama route the commission found large force of workmen engaged upon the canal line, about 2000 in number, according to the Panama Company. The canal had been opened to some extent at both ends. Immense quantities of machin- cry, implements and tools were found along the route. Much of this property, the com mission reports, Is i'll adapted to American methods of work, and all of 1t is now from thirteen to twenty years old, so that no value should be given now to the plant the isthmus. A visit was also made to Pres- ident Iglias of Costa Rica, and his cabin ct, and sentiment was found to exist for an American canal along the Nicaragua route Trips were also made along the Dar- fen route
 Size of Canal.
 After going over the several routes the commission considered the dimensions 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 350 feet at mean low water and bottom width of 150 feet, with some increase of dimen- sons at certain points. These dimensions are larger than those proposed for any previous canal scheme. While they may seem excessive today the commission points out that the canal is not likely to be opened within ten years, during which time the increase in maritime dimensions is likely to continue.
 width of 150 feet will allow all but tho very largest ships to pass each other in the canal, while the locks are of a dmen- sion to permit even the largest ships afloat to be maneuvered. The size of the locks is TAO feet in length, S4 feet in width, in the clear with a depth of 35 feet.
 Taking up the Nicaragua route in detail the commission says that the route follows essentially the lines laid down by the Me araguan Canal Commission in it's report of 1s97-99. It begins near Greytown, on the Atlantic side follows the San Juan River, enters Lake Nicaragua and terminates at Brito on the Pacific side The distance from ocean to ocean is about 1S6 miles. Plans are given for the great harbors re- quired at Greytown and Brito. The most difficult engineering work is the dam
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