The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-16
CONFLICTING VIEWS
ON CANAL ROUTE

ed as authorities in that direction. Prof
Emory Johnson, of the Commission, hsC
that matter especially in charge. and hi:
Investigations clearly show that there will
be available. on the completion of the
canal s7,0O0.O00 to s10.O0O.OOO of freight
The figures given, which Mr.. Carnegie
| quotes for operating in each case, are eX-
pressly stated by the Commission to be
for operation and maintenance, and on
that point the cost of the harbors with
their maintenance at Panama and Colon
are considerably greater than at Grey
| town and Brito.
short time ago Mr.. Carnegie was
! quoted as insisting that it is not advisable
! that the Government should construct any
canal that double track railroad would
answer every purpose, etc. 1t is. to say
the least a singular coincidence that
nearly everyone and $50 far as my per-
sonal knowledge goes) everyone who has
opposed tho canal IDEA entirely is now ad-
vocating the Panama route.
VIEW
To my mind, the advantages which
Nicaragua presents. are:
First-A shorter total voyage and a gain
in time for all business except of that
western South America, which is Less
than 25 per cent Of the total estimated
business.
Secondhand most important. along the
Nicaragua route the work is all we'll dis
tributed and easily within the limits OF
ordinary engineering experience, while on
the Panama line the dam at BoBhic and
the auxiliary work, including the locks
involves new and untried problems, and
as Mr.. Morrison says. no engineer will I'M
dertake in advance to say how the work
can be done. This and the adjacent
works will cost fore than four times as
much, If ever successfully built. by the
Commissions estimates. as any cor
responding features on the Nicaragua
| line. The great cut at Cuelebra is near
ly four times as great as anything on the
other route. and from its character and
partial history is a problem of the first
magnitude.
Other Obstacles.
Besides there physical objections. there
are legal, financial. and diplomatic diff
culties and obstacles in the Panama prop
osition that mean years and years of de-
lay. and International complications that,
l believe, will forever prevent the Gov
eminent of the United States for even
commencing the work OF construction,
even if it should desire to do so.
think. my dear Senator, that you. hav-
ing taken an active and constant interest
in the work OF the committee. will rec
ognize the facts that l have indicated.
Very sincerely your.
w. A. HARRIS
New York Feb. IA. 1892.
Senator T. c. Plat, Washington, D. c.
My Dear Senator:
hau ~ ha tipp
of the letter. There is one statement of
fact, however, in Mr.. Harris note which
might be noticed. There is one curve on
the Manchester of $500 feet radius. The
others are of 1900 and over. Tugs are
required for big ships for the latter.
and would be required likewise on the
Nicaraguan Canal.
But the time is passed for discussing
various points OF difference between the
two routes. These have been balanced
each against tn other. and the Judgment
of the engineers should be taken by all
laymen as the only guide.
Opinions of Long Standing.
| reached their conclusion years ago.
when / read General Ludlow's report,
though ! had $4,000 invested in the Mic
araguan scheme, and not cent in the
Panama.
/ have no other desire than to obtain
for the country the best canal at the least
cost, and especially that which involves
the least possibility of disappointment in
construction.
He would be a bold man who voted for
the Nicaraguan Canal gaainst the judg-
mento those specially qualified TO form
an opinion. and who have personally in
vestigated thes ubject, as none others
have. Very truly yours,
ANDREW CARNEGIE.