Evening star., 1902-02-06
Senator Scott Advocates Another
Canal Commission.
Mr.. HANSBROUGH ON IRRIGATION
Legislative Appropriation Bill in
the House.
UNDER FIVE-MINUTE RULE

lawful structure was passed.
Another Commission Proposed.
Mr.. Scott (W. Va.) called up and had
read resolution which he offered several
days ago, providing for the appointment
of the commission of experts to examine
what Is known as the San Bias Man
dngo bay route for an isthmian waterway,
and to report to the Senate the cost of con-
structing interoceanic canal by that
route.
He said that nearly one-fourth of the
sum necessary to construct canal by any
of the routes proposed already had been ex-
pended in an endeavor to find suitable
route for an iSthmian canal; but, con-
fronted as Congress was by proposed ap-
preparation of nearly 500 ,OO0.00O for the
building of an interoceanic waterway, it
was the duty of prudent men carefully to
investigate every possible route. He dis
claimed any intention to obstruct the con-
sideratfon of canal bill or to delay the
building of the canal itself, but he main
tanned that the question of route was still
debatable. After thorough investigation he
was convinced that the San Bias route met
practically every requirement of the pro-
posed waterway, but because the adoption
of that route involved the driving of tun-
mel through the granite of a mountain
range sufficiently large to admit of the pas
sage of any ship afioat the route has beeu
regarded as impracticable. Personally. he
was convinced that such a tunnel could be
constructed at a reasonable cost.
The San Bias Route.
Mr.. Scott explained that the San Bias
route connected the two oceans from the
Bay Of Mandingo in the Gulf of San Bias
on the Atlantic side to Pearl Island har-
Dor in the Gulf of Panama on the Pacific
side OF the isthmus Including the five
mile tunnel the canal 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 1t improbable that sailing ves-
sells would be able to navigate any other of
the proposed routes. The route he pro-
posed. he said, offered great natural and |
commercial advantages He did not be- |
lieve anyone would question the desira- |
bility of a ship canal by the San Bias route |
II the tunnel which it involved could be |
constructed, and he had no doubt this |
could be done. He referred to the Hoosac |
Mount Gents, st. Gothard, Arlberg and |
Simplon tunnels as daring and successful
EFFORTS or modern tunnel engineering. He |
quoted both American and European en-
gineering authorities to show that the con-
struction of the San Bias tunnel was quite
practicable
Mr. scott's Reasons.
For the following reasons Mr.. Scott be-
lieved that the San Bias route was the
only feasible and practicable sea-level
canal route:
l. Its healthy location.
?. Its shortness
3. Its magnificent harbors
4. Its total absence of locks
D. me possibility of working gangs OF |
men night and day, in the wet and dry
seasons, under good sanitary conditions
D. The very important consderat ton that
by TINS route, and no other, sailing vessels
could be towed by electric power. by night
as Wen as by day this effecting great
saving OF time and expense.
. The economical maintenance of the
canal when completed.
= The permanenCy of its rock bed and the
absence of earth embankment
q The deSra Bile fact that If can he com |
structed within three and at most five
years
Mr.. Scott concluded by strongly urging
the adoption of his resolution saving that |
he wished to be convinced of the practica-
bility or impractica bility of a ship tunnel
and had submitted his resolution as a pure
business proposition.
Referred to Committee.
At the conclusion of Mr. Scott's speech
MT Morgan, chairman of the committee
on ihteroceanic canals, moved that the |
resolution offered by Mr.. Scott be referred
l" that committee. He said that the COM
mittee had had General Soreu the pro
moter OF the San Bias route before Il and
the matter had been referred to a SUBJ
committee, which was now conducting an
'NStASdIioii VI lldI 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
I ne Panarna Railway Company. 1t would
De hopeless task, he thought, to convince |
colombia that the San Bias route was the
most desirable one proposed. However.
ne SAID, the committee was investigating |
tn1ronshiy all matters pertaining to an
lsthnlan canal and would lay the facts
concerning all routes before the Senate,
Without objection the resolution was re-
canals.
lrrigating Arid Lands.
MIR Hansbrough IN. d. then addressed
the Senate on the general subject of the
Irrigation of arid lands. his remarks being
based upon his bill appropriating the re-
ceipts from the sale of public lands in GER
tain states and territories to the construc-
ton OF irrigation works for the reclama-
tiuu of arid lands.
lie said the proposition was not a ssc |
tional one.as throughout the east and south
there was a strong sentiment in favor of it
IN support OF this statement he indicated
many prominent newspapers and periodi-
cars IN the east and south which had in
dorsed the irrigation plan. He quoted too
from the message of President Roosevelt
TO Congress to show that he was in favor
OF A. AS one OF the benefits that would be
derived from the project he said it would
provide homes for many now homeless and
ultimately would be of immense advantage
10 the whole American people.
The bill. Mr.. Hansbrough said did not
contemplate raid upon the United States
treasury. the cost Of carrying the projec.
mo effect being limited to the proceeds of |
ihe sales Of public lands in thirteen stats
and three territories. These proceeds would
amount to s2OOOO0 per annum. In
period of thirty-eight years he pointed out.
T"pVO acres of land would be reclaimed |
oS the available waters, all the work to be |
uone under the direction Of the Secretary of |
the Interior.
Tie believed 1t was national duty to en-
nance the value of the public domain. and
II the government should fail to do this
aut! IL might, In the course of wears have ;
70 race condition of national discontent | ,
4 mons the unemployed
Al the conclusion of his speech Mr. Hans .
biongh asked that his bill be made the nm |
mashed business after the disposal of tba | ,
present. unfinished business-the PhiIinn;na |
tarin Dill The Senate agreed to the re- .
aiiest. ~ TIC re-
Biils hen Were passed as follows: Autbor- .
lLlng the construction of a bridge across |
u Columbia river by the Washington and |
OTeson Railway Company; Increasing the
limit OF cost of the public buildings at New
port News. Va, TO 10000: appropriatins
G.St.0O for the erection of a post office in |
the city of New York; appropriating $50.
W for the erection of a public buiIdin0 az |