Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-18

The subcommittee appointed TO near
the representations in behalf of the
several canal projects met during the
afternoon for the purpose of interro-
eating representatives of the Ameri-
can Isthman Ship Canal Co. Those
who spoke for this company were Gen.
Edward w. Serrell, consulting engi-
neer, H. H. Adams, a stakeholder. and
Theodore Schroeder, counsel. They
control the Darien route. also desig-
mated as the San Bias route. They
claim to be able to secure a canal at
fea level which will be only 80 miles in
length from ocean to ocean. Their
route extends from Mendago harbor to
Pearl island, and is based on surveys
made first by Prof. Hopkins in 1910
and afterwards by Messrs. McDougal,
Sweet, Forman and Rude. Their plan
is to run a tunnel for five miles. this
tunnel to be 202 feet in the clear and
with water 80 feet deep. The ships
would be drawn through the canal by
an electric trolley line.
1t was stated by the witnesses that
they had secured estimates which con-
vinced them that the tunnel work
could be done at about 81 cents per
cubic yard and they estimated that the
,ntire canal could be constructed at an
aggregate cost of from $15,000.O 900 to
80, 900, 900. They said the granite in
that section is perfectly sound and that
in case there should be places in which
it was found not to be so, the walls
could be lined. Witnesses estimated
the tunnel could be completed in three
years.
When asked to make proposition to
The government they declined to do so
)ut said they thought that within 80
days 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 owner
ship of the canal and that the govern
ment of the United States should agree
20 pay so per cent. of the cost of con-
struction, payments to begin when S10,-
100000 of work shall have been COM
pleted and other payments to be made
each time that $4,000, 900 worth of work
is done. They also said in reply to
questions that they had secured neither
right of way nor government conces-
sions.
Gen. Serrell said that at the instiga-
ton of the late President Mckinley he
had approached representatives of the
Maritime Canal Co., representing the
Nicaragua canal route, and also repre-
sentativeS of the Panama Co. Ex-
Senator Warner Miller, he said, had
expressed his surprise at the advan-
tages presented by this route and had
professed willingness to make arrange
inents looking to its acceptance. The
Panama Co had not shown such will
insness to come to terms.
Admiral Walker. late this afternoon.
announced that the commission would
be unable to file it's report with the
President until some time tomorrow.
1t was stated that Admiral Walker is
DESTROYS of presenting if possible a
unanimous report to the President and
hopes, by carrying the matter over I'M
til tomorrow, to harmonic the differ
ences known to exist among the MEM
bers of the commission.
The commission was in session for sew
eral hours. tonight, adjourning at 1870
until tomorrow morning. 1t is under
stood that a conclusion has been reached
on the matters under consideration ami
that a report will be made to President
Roosevelt. tomorrow. Admiral Walker
expects this to be done. although he in
tmated that 1t was not possible to say
what would happen until all the members
had signed the report.
Neither the admiral nor the other men,
bers of the commission will say which
of the two routes for the canal under
consideration will be recommended nor
make another statement pertine to the
subject. Col. Ernst, one of the army en-
gineers who is a member of the commits
SION did say without hesitation that n
conclusion had been reached and report
would he made to the President. tomor-
row. Former Senator Pasco said that
the matter of the Darien route for the
proposed canal had not received any con-
sideration at the hands of the commits
sion, tonight. as this had been disposed Of
in previous report OF the commission.