The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-18
PANAMA RIGHT
PLACE FOR CANAL
w. o. Winston Tells of Observar
tions Of Panama and Nicar-
aqua Routes.
Visited Both Places with Engi-
neers and Covered Every
Foot of the Ground.

nPanama is the right place for the
canal. 1t will cost less to builda canal
at that point, it will cost less to main
tain it after it is finally constructed:
Furthermore the canal will be built
there, and the kickers, grumblers and
ment will do well to accept the state
ment as a fact and look up something
else to kick about
This, in brief, is the opinion of W. O.
Winston, vice president Of the contract
ing firm of Winston Broathers: Mr..
Winston is a general railroad and min
ing contractor of wide experience. He
has gone over every foot Of the two
proposed isthmian canal routes, Pana-
ma and Nicaragua. Tho simon-pure
democrat politically, Mr.. Winston is dis
tinctly pro-Roosevelt in the Panama
proposition and resents all insinuations
Of Interior motives and influences in
connection with the canal. -.
Looked Over Route.
Eight years ago Mr.. Winston, with a
p pns y visited the ist6mus in the interests
Of private corporation, which at that
time was considering the construction
of private canal. The syndicate back
of theproposition favored the Nicarau-
qua route, but ha dthe party investigate
both routes to see what advantages
either one might have over the other
said: {" It was the opinion Of every mem
Der of our party that either route, was
feasible; that the canal could be built
and maintained on either route. 1t was
my opinion and the opinion Of ma
iority of the party, however, that the
Panama canal was the better. 1t was
the natural location. TIL eharbor facil
tiles at the terminals of the Panama
route were much the best.
Commission Was Capable.
"The canal commission appointed
by President Roosevelt went over botf
routes and was unanimously in favor
Of the Panama route. That commits
sion was composed Of expert engineers
and it's opinion should be final. Those
who are now criticizing the president
and the commission are making state
ments which are false, thru desire o.
ignorance. j.. D. Yeomans Of Siou1
City has made statements and claims
more his remarks are gross insult
to the engineering profession and to thu
men who follow it. His statement tina
no engineer has been found who would
recommend the Panama route over tn
Nicaragua route, unless he had beer
paid to do it, is a positive insult tt
! every engineer who has been on tn
isthmus. There is no more reliable
and conscientious body Of men engaged
in any prof ssfon. s 49,. -.4a.l@-zes
"The Nicaragua route am willin'
to admit has slight advantage In tn
matter of climate. This would be O.
some benefit in the work Of construc
!: ton. Such work in the tropics is I
tremendous undertaking at best.
should say that the difficulties to b
encountered and overcome were tire
to one to what they would be in
; more temperate climate. At that, the
Panama offers the best route from tn
engineering and construction stand
! point. The canal can be constructe
over that route at less cost and can b
; maintained at less cost.
The Culebra Gut.
t'Much is said Of the Culebra cut b
, these Knockers. Mr.. Yeomans mad
the statement that the wash from tha
) cut would fill the canal every time
> rained. I will admit that they hav
heavy rains and all that. I have see
H,,4;,vod m 0d Dora RI Column