Sunday Washington globe., 1902-01-12
Rival Routes

The Panama route across the isthmus was
selected by the greatest engineer of his day,
Ferdinand De Iesseps, the successful en-
gineer Of the Suez Canal This of itself
appeals to the Understandings of men whose
preiudices or interests are not warped or
sinisterly secured and who will listen to
nothing but the Nicaragua route. The offer
10 sell for $40, 900 what cost the French
shareholders many times that amount should
not lightly be thrown aside or ignored. A
thorough investigation of the whole subject
bv the Congress of the United States is de-
mauded by the people The canal is de-
manded by the exigencies of commerce, the
expansion of our country and the destiny Of
our people The objections to considering
the Panama route that the construction of
the enterprise will be delayed is pueri.e and
the merest subterfuge. Let the committee
meet this problem of route in broad,
patriotic spirit and decide on the one which
will not only earn the commentators Of
future generations but which will, by virtue
Of its superior waterway, evidence the fact
that in its selection there was neither job
berry nor bribe.
Representative Loren Fletcher. of Mn
neapolis the only Republican member who
y7ted against the Nicaraguan Canal Bill,
says:
Il have been on the committee before
which this proposition has been considered
for over eight years, and have never missed
a meeting at which the Nicaraguan Canal
proposition was discussed. To my mind
the project is full of grave apprehensions of
ever securing a canal that is contemplated
by the people of this country.
They have no harbor at Greytown, and
it will cost millions of dollars to create one,
and vast expenseo of money to maintain it.
The Pacific terminus of the canal, at Brito,
will entail an enormous expense TO create a
harbor. There are very many difficulties to
be overcome in the route. / would not like
TO set up my opinion against those Of the
eminent engineers who have made recent
reports, bat equally eminent engineers,
familiar with the project differ very widely
from the report of the recent commission.
Il think the Panama Canal, from what
know Of 1t, is surrounded with much less
difficulties, and to my judgment much less
expense, as they have comparatively good
harbors at each end of the proposed Pam
anna Canal When we have the canal con-
structed. If il ever can be, ! believe the
expense of construction and maintenance
will far overbalance the benefits of its con-
structiou. In case of war with a foreign
country, one-hah of our navy will be re-
quired to protect the canal In a semi-vol-
canic country like Nicaragua, and with the
vast rainfalls of that locality. frequently 70
the extent Of twenty five and thirty feet an o.
nually, the large dams to be constructed on
uncertain foundations make It a very un-
certain project The vastrevenues Of this
country largely absorbed in this project for
years to come will most necessarily cripple
enterprises in our own country, which are
of more vital interest than 50 vast an ex.
penditure in a foreign country with foreign
people and labor.
7 am glad to go on record as not favor
ing this undertaking. While do not like
to put my judgment against the almost
unanimous vote Of the House and the
present sentiment of the country, / will
abide my time with the firm conviction that
long before the canal is completed there
will be vastly more people Of this country
that will agree with me than seems at the
present time. I made no opposition to the
passage Of the bill, as it has been evident
since Congress convened that there would
be little opposition to the Hepburn bill
shall be disappointed if the present
bill passes the Senate. If any bill doe,
pass Il will be after a more deliberate con
sideratou Of the Panama route which {,
my mind, presents many more advantage
and al far less cost than the Nicaragu
route Contemplates.
The Republican party has promised t
repeal the war tax, which Is a burden L
the people With this forty millions adde'
on 70 the other large and necessary appro
priations it will be impossible to get alOnl
without the tax. The people will therefor
pay a revenue tax for the purchase Of thi
canal route"
The Panama canal route will, it is hoped
receive due consideration in the Senate
where hasty legislation is impossible