The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-12
Prefers the Panama Route to the
Nicaragua Way as Provided for
in the Senate Bill.
MANY POINTS IN ITS FAVOR
PANAMA ROUTE WILL BE $.O,5OO, 900
CHEAPER IN THE END.
Cost of Construction and maintenance
Much Less-yOte to BE Taken
Thursday, June 10.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June u.-Senator Fair
banks, of Indiana, delivered a notable
speech on the isthmian canal bill to-day.
At the conclusion of his address 1t was
agreed to vote the bill and its amend
ments on Thursday, June 19. at 2 p. m.
Senator Fairbanks, in beginning his speech,
said he preferred the Panama route.
Originally, he said, he had favored the
Nicaragua route but an investigation of
the subject. coupled with the determination
of the isthmian commission, had induced
him to change his mind in favor of the
Panama route. He argued that that route
not only would be cheaper in the first in
stance, but cheaper in operation after the
canal was constructed. He earnestly IA
vored the construction of the canal and
resented the intimation that those who IA
vored the Panama route were in the least
opposed to canal
Senator Fairbanks declared himself in
favor of the Panama canal route. His
predictions and opinions, founded on frag-
mentary and unsatisfactory information,
he said, had been entirely in favor of the
Nicaraguan route. But if weight was to
be given to the opinion of our own impair
tial commissioners, men of experience and
capacity had declared we must discard the
Nicaraguan and select the Panama route.
The senator spoke of the greatness of the
undertaking, one which, when completed
would vitally affect the commerce of the
United States and of the world A new
highway is to be established through which
a mighty commerce would pass during the
centuries before us. The United States,
he said, does not underrate the magnitude
of the work. Her resources are entirely
adequate. She asks no aid of any power
and is ready to carry the enterprise to its
consummation and hold it perpetually for
the commerce of the world, and upon terms
of absolute equality.
The Senate then discussed the steps lead
ing up to the formation of the Walker COM
mission and its two reports, the first favor
able to Nicaragua and the second favorable
to Panama, after the Panama Canal Com
pany had offered to sell its rights and
property for s4O,0O0O00. The commission, he
declared, had acted with entire consist
ency and the reasons which led il to re-
consider and change its recommendations
were absolutely sound and controlling. If.
said the senator had but to consider
the relative cost of construction of the two
canals there would be a saving upon the
Panama route of substantially s.. 500, 600
The commission had disclosed a singular
and important fact, one which should be
distinctly borne in mind, and that is that IL
would cost $l.300,000 less per annum to op-
crate the Panama than to operate the Mica
raguan route. This sum, capitalized on the
basis of the interest upon the national
bonds. equivalent to per cent. amounted
TO S65, 900 600. Add to this the amount saved
in construction. and. he said we have a
total sum TO the credit of the Panama route
of S70.5O0O00.
PANAMA ROUTE ADVANTAGES.
Continuing, Senator Fairbanks said:
The advantages of the Panama route as
stated by the commission. were submitted
to the Senate few days ago by the dis
tinguished senator from Ohio MIR. Hannal
but | may be pardoned for restating them
in this connection as they are summarized
in the report of the minority:
1. Ii is 13i57 miles shorter than the
Nicaraguan. from sea TO sea (being 49.O9
miles by Panama as against 1885 miles by
Nicaragua
grees and miles. being but % So miles of
curvature as against 1929 on the Nicaragua
and but al degrees for Panama as against
2,339 degrees for Nicaragua
8 The actual time of transit is less
being but twelve hours of steaming by
Panama. as against a minimum of thirty
three hours of steaming by Nicaragua
that is, of one day of daylight as against
three days of daylight (for the canal must
be navigated by day exclusively at hrst,
and. 10 a great extent always. especially
by large ships. which chiefly will use it,
The commission's plan does not provide
facilities for navigation by night)
T. The locks are fewer in number be-
ing bat five on the Panama to eight on the
Nicaraguan.
- The harbors are better. those at the
terminal OF the Panama being good and
already used by the commerce Of the world
while at the termini OF the Nicaraguan
there are no harbors whatever.
g. The Panama route traverses beaten
track in civilization. having been in use