The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-10

thence along the east side Of the canal
to5a point opposite the thirty-ninth mile
post. which viii cost fully as much or
more-S75 900 a. mile. An examination OF
this map VIII show that the future line
of the Panama railroad runs through
exceedingly difficult country, as indica-
ted by the tremendous amount OF cur
vature, and all Of which must be of
more difficult character than the line
along which it was originally built It
is undoubtedly true also that practical
y new iron will have to be used for
this railroad so that we will have the
pleasure of tearing up the railroad for
which we pay $3.50 600 a mile and ex-
pending anywhere from so to IS thous-
and dollars per mile in the construction
of a new railroad. Thus the greater part
of the amount paid in this extraordinary
price for the Panama railroad would be
absolutely a donation"
After a brief reference to the many
complications involved in the construc-
ton Of the Panama canal, Mr.. Harris
said:
I shall not allude to the. possibilities
growing out OF the equities of the stock
and bondholders of the old Panama
Canal company. Some Of our ablest and
best lawyers are positive in the opinion
! that we viii ultimately be held respon-
sible to those individuals who have SUI
fered SO tremendously. Other senators
viii treat of these matters, and I shall
pass on the consideration of some of the
physical features of the two PROPOSE
tons.
The first in Importance Of all con
siderations is certainty of success Not
only after future tiresome extensions of
time and claims to increase the eX-
pense, with possibly shocking and ex-
asperating loss of life. but success in a
reasonable time with expenses bearing
some reasonable proportion to the esti-
mate and with considerations of hui
manity in the matter of life and health.
Second in Importance is the shorten
ing of distance in the total voyage De-
sirable as it may be to have as short
as possible the line between the two
oceans, the primary object of the project
is the shortening of distance between
ports, and it must not be omitted or
lightly considered in the choice of
operation or construction even is easily
overbalanced in the saving of time to
each vessel. I desire here to call atten-
ton to what is said by some of the able
and thoroughly competent men who tes-
titled before the committee. (See Haup's
testimony; also North's testimony page
26; also Cooley's. pages 1, s and Z
WOULD BAR SAILING VESSELS.
Third in Importance, Mr.. President,
It seems to me, is that all kinds and
classes of vessels must find it an at
ractlve and advantageous route Gen
tlemen who for various reasons have
been connected with steamships are very
positive in asserting that the day of the
sailing vessel has entirely disappeared.
ms II seems 10 me, cannot De assumed
to be true, while undoubtedly there has
been a vast advancement in the building
Of steamships, still, as the cheapest class
of transportation known, sailing vessels
viii continue for many years to do a
large share of our coasting trade; and
also with certain classes of freight a
large part of our foreign trade. 1t IS
conceded that, so far as the Panama plan
is concerned, it is absolutely prohibitory
and excludes all classes Of sailing YES
seis- / have here Mr.. President, from
the photographic Office a chart showing
the route and distance to be sailed by
sailing. vessels, both from BritO and Pan
anna, for all north point traffic In GO
ing to San Francisco vessels have to
sail far to the southwest from Panama
through the beautiful and light airs of
the region Of the doldrums south of the
equator making the distance. from jan
uary to May, $3.50 miles; from June to
December. 5000 miles. In coming from
San Francisco to Panama from June to
November. the distance is 4630 miles,
and from December to May 3,640 miles;
whereas the distance to be sailed to
Brito from San Francisco from Decem-
Der to May, 2 $50 miles, and from Janu-
airy to June 2,940 miles. while going to
San Francisco the distance is APO
miles. (See Austin's Shipping Industry
of the United States" Benjamin testi-
mOny, page %; Harvey, pages 13 and Il
and Al to 42)
THE NATIVES A PROBLEM, TOO.
"A fourth consideration Of great i'm
/ portance, as indicated by the commits
sion itself, is the character and extent
/ and resources of the country that will
be developed Objections have been
raised to the fact that the route along
the San Juan river and across Lake Mic
aragla to the Pacific is through viii
| derness and a virgin country. This 1
| regard, Mr.. President, as fortunate
! rather than otherwise. We have here
no complex problems involving the con
troll OF a turbulent, disordCrly, infected
I native population. The zone of the
canal win be practically occupied only
by the people under the immediate con-
/ troll Of and connected with the canaa
/ construction. There are no towns and
there is no demand for any Joint COM
mission having criminal or civil juris-
/ diction, nor of the intricate and ex-
| asperating problems that are clearly
/ indicated In the other case"