Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-02-10
PROF. HAUPT. HEARD
Engineering Features Of an
Isthmian Canal.
THE BIG DAM AT B0HIO
SENATOR MORGAN DENIES BEING
PREJUDICED.
Willing to Change His Opinion Re-
garding the Best Route if Evil
dence is Produced.

The Senate committee interoceanic
canals this morning heard the testimony of
Prof, Lewis NJ. Haupt, member of the
isthmian canal commission and a civil en-
gineer, who has for many years taken a
prominent part in the consideration of vari-
Gus projects for a canal across the isthmus.
Professor Haupt did not conclude his state
ment and replies to questions asked him by
members of the committee when a recess
was taken at noon, and later in the after
noon he was again before the committee.
There were present Senators Morgan,
chairman; Hanna, Harris and Kfttredge, all
members of the subcommittee charged
with the duty of conducting an investiga-
ton into the various projects for a canal.
Professor Haupt said that while the pro-
posed Panama canal is much shorter than
the Nicaragua, the total distance to be COW
cred by vessels in making the voyage, say
from New York to San Francisco, would be
much greater by the former than the latter
route. He also said that he apprehended
much difficulty in constructing the big dam
at Bohio on the Panama line. Another point
made by him as favorable to the Nicara qua
route was to the effect that the harbors at
the two ends of that route could be much
more economically maintained than could
those at the ends of the Panama route
The subcommittee of which Senator Fos-
fore 1t tomorrow former Senator Pasco of
Florida, also a member of the isthmian
commission. He will be questioned con-
corning the nature Of the title to the canal
property at Panama that could be given the
United States government by the Panama
Canal Company. 1t is expected that dur
Ing the present week or early next week
the committee will have finished the ex
animation of witnesses and will be ready
to begin considering the report it is to
make to Congress.
Senator Morgan Not Prejudiced.
Il have no ideas concerning this canal
problem said Senator Morgan today, Eek
cept such as 1 have gathered from hearing
the testimony of civil engineers and others
who have either made a study of the canal
problem or have Travelled in the country
adjacent to the proposed canal routes and
nave acquired information concerning them
l am ready to change any opinion 1 have
had If | am shown evidence that will war
rant such a change. What we want here
are the facts and We are trying to get
Them
Admiral Walkers Defamation.
No action will be taken by Senator Nor
gan on the decination of Admiral Walker
to reply to questions concerning the diplo-
matte matters which are involved in the
project for canal at Panama until there is
meeting of the full committee, which has
not yet been called. When asked Saturday
whether he knew about negotiations for a
concession from the Colombian government
for certain rights in case the United States
should buy the Panama canal property, Adj
miral Walker said he had not conducted
such negotiations, though he knew some
thing about their nature, and when asked
to state what he did know about he matter
he declined to do so on the ground that it
was diplomatic negotiation not conducted
by him. Senator Morgan took the ground
that the witness was contumacious, and
should be required to answer Questions put
to him, and will bring the matter up at
meeting of the full committee at an early
day.