The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-18
FAVORS PANAMA ROUTE
MAJORITY OF CANAL coMMIs
 SION FOR IT.
+or Morgan Makes Report on 7 4e Statu of the Proposition to Sell-Representatives of New
 Company Heard.

Washington, Jan. I7.-When the Isth- milan Canal Commission, of which Rear Admiral John G. Walker is chairman. met today, it was with the understand ing that the session should continue un- til a majority at least had reached defi- mite conclusion respecting the nature of the recommendation 1t would in all prob ability, be submitted today. It is learned upon the highest authority that the com- mission is not a unit on any one of the propositions which have been submitted.
 Although no positive Information was given out regarding the feeling among the members of the commission, 1t is learned that the acceptance of. the offer of the Panama Company will be urged by no witnesses at today's session, 1t having been agreed that sufficient data had been prepared for the commission to reach q decision.
 The commission was in session for sev- eral hours tonight, adjourning at 10:3o o'clock until tomorrow morning. 1t is understood that a conclusion had been reached on the matter under considera- ton and that a report will be made to President Roosevelt tomorrow. Admiral Walker expects this to be done, although he intimated it was not possible to say what would happen until all the members had signed the report. Neither the Ad- miral nor the other members of the com mission will say which of the two routes will be recommended, nor make any ufa atav, arks taot ]. Morgan Makes Report.
 Washington, Jan. 17.-Senator Morgan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Oceanic Canals, made a brief report to that committee today as the result of his investigation of the status of the Pans anna sale proposition. He stated that he had called upon the President and Ad- miral Walker, chairman of the Isthmtan Canal Commission, and had learned that the President had impressed upon the commission the necessity for an early report fixing the time at the close of the present week, and that the Admiral had said that in accordance with these inc structions, the commission probably would be prepared to report by Satur- day night. He also stated that he had learned officially that the French Gov- nment had made no proposition to the United States in connection with the Panama route, and, further, that noth- ing had been heard from the Government of Colombia on that subject.
 A subcommittee consisting of Senators Harris, Kittridge and Foster was ap- pointed to take testimony concerning the various canal routes suggested. The sub- committee met during the afternoon to interrogate representatives of the Ameri- can Isthmian Shin. Canal Company. Those who spoke for this company were General Edward W. Serreli, consulting engineer; H. H. Adams, a stockholder and Theo. Schroeder. counsel
 They control the Darien route, also designated as the San Bias Route, and claim to be able to secure a canal at sea level which will be only thirty miles in length from ocean to ocean. Their route extends from Mendago harbor to Pear Island and their plan is to run a tunnel for five miles. this tunnel to be 202 feet in the clear, and with water 9 feet deep. The. ships would be drawn through the canal by an electric trolley line. They estimated that the entire canal could be constructed for from $75- 900. 900 to $9O.0OO0Oo. When asked to make a proposition to the government they de- clined to do so. but said that within three years they would be able to state the terms upon which they would allow the canal to be constructed by this route
 These terms they thought would be that they should retain the ownership of the canal and that tbe government of the United States should agree to pay 50 per cent. of the cost of construction. payments to begin when $1O. O,0OO of work shall have been completed and other payments to be made each time that $10.000,000 worth of work is done They also said In reply to questions that they had secured neither right of way