The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-06
In Favor of a New Isthmian
Canal Route.
FROM MANDINGO BAY.
Would Involve Five Mile Tunnel
Through Solid Rock.
A Subcommittee is Already In
vestigating 1t.

of routine business in the senate today
Il bill declaring the International Rail
way bridge over the st. Lawrence river
u lawful structure was passed.
Mr. Scott Rep., w. Va-) called up
and had read a resolution which he
offered several days ago providing Tor
She appointment or a commission OF eX-
perts to examine what is known as the
San Bias, or Mandingo bay route, for
an Isthmian waterway. and to report TO
the senate the cost OF constructing an
interoceanic canal by that route. He
said that nearly one-fourth of the sum
necessary to construct a canal by any
OF the routes proposed already had been
expended in an enQeavor to nnd a SUIT
able route for an isthmian canal; out
confronted as congress was by a pro-
posed appropriation of nearly $2OO,O ,OOO,-
0G0 for the building of an interoceanle
waterway, it was the duty or prudent
men to carefully investigate every pos
sible route. He disclaimed any inten-
ton to obStruct the consideration of a
canal bill. or to delay the building OF
the canal itself; but ne maintained
that the question of route still de-
batable, After thorough investigation,
he was convinced that the San Bias
route met practically every requirement
Of the proposed waterway but because
the adoption of that route involved the
driving Of tunnel through the granite
OF a mountain range sufficiently large
afioat the route had been regarded as
impracticable- Personally he was con-
WINGED that such a tunnel could be con-
structed at a reasona BILE cost.
Mr.. Scott explained that the San
Bias route connected the two oceans
fro the bay of Mandingo in the gulf
of san Bias, on the Atlantic side 10
Pearl island harbor in the Gulf of Pan
anna, on the Pacific side of the isthmus-
Including the five mile tunnel, the ca
nal would be thirty miles long. He
said that the harbors Of the San Bias
route had excited the enthusiasm OF all
engineers who had investigated them.
He believed that electrical power made
it entirely practicable by this route to
tow ships through the canal by electric
trolley. He thought it Improbable that
sailing vessels would be able to navi- |
gate any other of the proposed routes.
The route he proposed, he said, offered |
international and commercial advan-
tages He did not believe anybody |
would question the desirability of a !
ship canal by the San Bias if the tun- |
mel which it involved could be con-
structed and he had no doubt this could /
be done He referred to the Hoosac |
Mount Cents, st. GOthard, Arleberg and /
Simplon tunnels as daring and success
full efforts of modern engineering He |
quoted both American and European !
engineering authorities to show that /
the construction of the san Bias tun-
mel was quite practicable.
For the following reasons, Mr.. Scott |
believed that the San Bias route was
the only feasible and practicable sea
level canal route:
L Its healthy location.
2 Its shOrtneSS.
3. Its ma gnificent harbors
f. Its total absence of locks.
D. The possibility of working gangs
of men night and day, in the wet and
dry seasons, under good sanitary con-
ditions.
6. The very important consideration
that by this route and no other. sail
ing vessels could be towed by electric
power, by night as we'll as by day. thus
effeeting great saving of time and
Z. The economical maintenance OF
the canal, when completed.
g. The permanency of its rock bed
and the absence of earth embankment. |
o The desirable fact that it can be
constructed within three or at most,
five years.
Mr.; Scott concluded by strongly urg-
ing the adoption Of his resolution saving |
that he wished to be convinced of the |
practicability or impractica bility of a
ship tunnel and had submitted his reso-
luton as a pure business proposition.
At the conclusion of Mr. Scott's speech |
Mr.. Morgan, chairman of the committee |
on lnteroceanic canals moved that the
resolution offered by Mr.. Scott be re- |
ferred to that committee He said that
the committee had had General CorreI |
the promoter of the San Bias route be-
fore 1t and the matter had been referred |
TO a subcommittee which was now con- |
Quoting an investigation of that project |
He pointed out that Colombia probably !
would oppose the adoption of the San |
Bias route, as that would destroy both
the Panama canal and the Panama
Railway company 1t would be a hope
less task he thought to convince Colonn-
bia that the San Bias route would be
the most desira BILE one proposed. How
ever. he said, the committee was inves-
ugating thoroughly all matters pertain
ing to an iSthmian canal and would Law
the facts concerning all routes before
the senate
Without objection the resolution was
to the committee on inter
oceanic capals.
Shortly after o'clock the Philippine
tariff bill was taken up. Mr. Lodge
suggested some minor verbal amend
ments to the bill.
The senate passed bill appropriatine
8, 100000 for postoffice building in
New York city.
IN THE HOUSE.
Washington. Feb. 6.-The considera
tion of the oleomargarine bill was Iai5
aside in the house today and the legis-
lative, executive and judicial approDri-
alton bill was taken up. An attempt !
to limit general debate to two hours /
1alled- MI Hemlnway Qnd-) in CHARGE
OF the measure explained its provisions
in general terms and pointed ont the !
Increases which it contained
Under the Ia titude allowed in general | {
debate Mr.. Talbert Is. c. made a |
speech IN opposition to the proposition |
emanating from the other side to cut
down southern repreSen tat ton because
Of abridgement of the franchise.
At the conclusion of Mr. TaIhart,s 20
marks the bin was read for amend1n ent
under the five minute rule
TO BE TANNED THROUGH 6
Washington. Feb: s.-One of the house t
leaders whose position gives him the {