The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-16

stor Harris Defends Nicaragua Route
WAsmsoToN, Feb. l5.-The subJolned
correspondence between Andrew Carnegie
ard senators Plat and Harris explains
jtself. The Senators are members oil tne
Senate Committee on Interoceanic Canals
which has under consideration the House
Nicaragua Canal bill. Mr.. oarnegies
letter follows:
NEW YORK. Jan. -. 1902.
s,rofo, 7. C. Plat. Washington, u. C.:
My DEAR SENATOR: The senior Senator
from New York should have a commanding
voice In regard TO the lsthmian canal. l
subscribed $4,000 to test the Nicaragua
scheme, but Gen. Ludlow's report satisfied
me that 10 was not 10 be thought OF as q reas-
enable undertaking. ] think that | nave
road every Official report published since
then. and all have confirmed my opinion
that instead OF s2oO. 900, O0o II will cost $780,
600, 600. and will not be a serviceable cahaI
when finished. II has curves OF 1000 Feet
radius, the Manchester Canal has nothing
under 5000 feet, and yet tugs are required
fore and aft OF every vessel that tries 70 pass
around these curves.
Il understand that senator Morgan and our
southern friends believe that the NIcaragus
,sute Is shorter than the Panama, but III lhis
! think them mistaGen, , d he passaSe
this means dayli ght only really three days,
1t will be found inpracticab!c TO pass through
Nav / suggest to you that 1t would he well
to call before tho committee the ileIlpeis
Of the commission ara poSa or Sicaragiai
There y another point which YOU as bgIEE
reseIting a Srsat G2mmeLelai Si ys BEEN a
commission OF experts appointed TO report
upon the trafic tributary TO an lsthn,iah
GnrSng me past ten years that the best in
formed believe that instead OF 6,ooo,ooO tons
oftrafic. there viii not be more than a quarter
80 that Railroads. Will reduce tntlT TultS
10 a very low point when II becomes a que5h
tion OF taking additional tranic. Blt' ataousn
the canal will not obtain as much tranlG as
expected. II will, of course, have a good erect
by reducing rates; but the Panama costing
H.soo.ooo per year less to WORK. oeeoheS
ine Commission estimates the increased
cost OF operating the Nicala gudn Canal al PIKE
Il merely for operating, but what OF MAIN
tenancey This IS a far more Important poln,,
will. OF course, entail more replacement ana
repairs and liability to disaster.
A you know. ] have had considerable eA-
perience in navigating canals, in handling
our ore shipments. and | wish to go on record
as assuring Senator, Morgan and his friends
Of The south, as well as the North. that they |
will be more benefited by the Panama canal
'I am sure, Senator, that this is a matter
which deserves a great deal more coiisld-
GRAFTON than has yet been given TO 4 Vow
since the Panama seems within reach, | beg
Won 10 exert your influence 20 have the ques-
lion threshod out before the committee
Min the RIttlAlbS VI Wv H'a7Chs ~
truly yours, ANDRE CARNEGIE.
Senator Harris replied as follows:
UNITED STATES SENATE
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1900
gor T. T. pla N. Tnited Stot,s Senator:
My DEAR SENATOR: Referring to the letter
OF Mr.. Carnegie, TO you. dated Jan Is last.
would saw that the objections which he raises
TO the Nicaragua route are not borne out
Fraction contractors have examined the
saw that they are entirely too high, so that
the cost Of the canal is more likely, to run
under the estimates than over y The Mall
chester Canal has curves a little under 1000
feet. with q bottom width considerably less
are no curves that are not over 1000 feet.
and in every case the width OF the canal -
increased pr9pporti0nhtrIy 70 sh com renHs sIonl
state that this has been carefully worked out
so that the longest vessels car, pass easily
steam. Sailing vessels. OF course. require
tuss in either case. except across the seventy
The commission's estimate Of thirty-three
hours means continuous passage, ana they
state >, that that ,he rs sSna, esa at e nissy. o There rSns Sra
no difficulties in the way whatever OF this
COMMITTEES the members OF the Canal Com
mission Is now being carried out
The matter OF traflc tributary to the canal
has been the subject OF a great deal of in
yestigation by men who are regarded as
authorities IN that direction I'D pr % Emery a,i
Especially in charge and his investigations
clearly show, that there will be available,
on the completion OF the canal. 100000 TO
The figures given. which Mr.. Carnegie
ppressly stated by the commission to be for
operation and .maintenance. and on that
point the cost OF the haIp Coso wi. ope ,n yrrv man. com
siderably greater than at Greytown ahd
Brito.
Us insisting that H. Is not advisable that the
Government should construct any canal;
That a double-track railroad would answer
a singular coincidence that nearly every
one. and, so far as my personal knowledge
goes, every one who has opposed the canal
idea entirely Is now. advocating the Panama
route. To my mind the advantages which
Nicaragua presents are.
First-A shorter total voyage and n gain
10 time for all business. except that OF western
South America, which is less than % per cent.
of the total estimated business.
second, and mot IMMIGRANT Along q"
tributed and easily within the limit, Of or
binary engineering eNprrlcnce. while on the
Panama line. tho dam at Bohio and the au%il-
new and untried problems; and, as, Mr. Mort
son says, no engineer viii undertake In
Thi- dam and the adjacent works will cost
more than f?nr times as much, IL ever sue
mates. rs any corresponding feature on the
Nicaragua line.
The great cut at Cuclrbra Is nearly four
times a. great as anything on the other route.
and from its character and part ial history
Is a problem Of the first magnitude. Besides
these physical objections, there are legal,
financial and diplomatic difficulties and
obstacles in the Panama proposition that
mean years and years Of delay, and inter
national complications that | believe will
forever prevent the Government OF the United
States from even commencing the work Of
construction. even IL II should desire TO dose
think, my dear Senator. that you. having
taken an active and constant interest In the
work Of the. committee. will recognize the
facts that have indicated Very, sincerely
yours. w. A. HARRIS.
In a second letter Mr.. Carnegie admits
that there is one curve on the Manchester
Canal Of $500 feet radius, but says that the
others are Of 1900 feet and over. Tugs are
required, he says, for big ships for the
latter, and would bc required likewise on
the Nicaragua Canal. He adds:
| have no other desire than 10 obtain for
the country the best canal at the least cost,
and especially that which involves the least
possibility OF disappointment in ConstuIc-
lion He would be "A bold man who voted
for the Nicaragua Canal against the judy
ment OF those specially qualified to form an
opinion, and who have personally inyes-
tigated the subject as mono other has.