The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-15
FLAWS IN PANAMA CANAL.
Admiral Evans Tells Why the Big Ditch Will not Increase Trade as Expected-The South's Bene-
 fit and the Railroads

Ditch Will not Increase Trade as
 Expected-The South's Bene-
 fit and the Railroads
 Threat.
 New York, Jan. 15.-According to Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans. the Panama Canal, contrary co the prom ises of those who planned it, will not increase by one iota our trade with Chile and Peru, and will, if the rail- toads are allowed to establish rates to suit themselves, speedily become financial ruin. "
 Fighting Bob'' is still true to his nickname and now, continuing in the forthcoming February number of Hampton's Magazine his arguments in favor of throwing open the Canal free to the commerce of the nation, he proves his pen quite as mighty as the biggest ship he ever commanded. He points out that, though the in- crease of our Chillian and Peruvian trade was at first assured, the fact is that shippers would, after the Canal was opened, much prefer to go around by the Straits of Magellan, and, in- stead of paying Canal charges, pay out the same money for coal where with to make the return trip by way of the Straits
 eff the Canal charges were $16,000," says Admiral Evans in the
 
 amount of money converted into Welsh coal at Valparaiso means 1000 tons, and if we allow half of this, or 500 tons for the trip each way, we find that the ship can pass through the Straits of Magellan, steam up the coast nearly to the Canak and then retrace her course to her. home port as she came, more cheapIy than by passing through the new waterway.
 'The point at which the trade of the Pacific Coast of South America would divide between the Panama Canal route and the Straits of Magel- Ian route, has been fixed as just south of Valdfvia in Chile, but by reason of Canal rates the dividing point must be shifted north about $4,000 miles, | which will give the Magellan route all the commerce, at least as far ] north as Callao in Peru. If we say l that four-fifths of the trade of this coast-which has heretofore gone to the credit of Panama-will remain where it is, we shall not be far wrong. l Nothing but free Canal can change this condition
 Taking up in detail the commerce of New Zealand and of the Pacific Islands, the Admiral finds therein the some arguments for his place of a ee Canal. He goes thoroughly into | the question of coal supply, coming | to the conclusion that if we place cheap coal in South America, this move will also injure the financial success of the Canal.
 | The Admiral passes into brilliant prophecy concerning the Southern section of the country, which he says will reap the greatest benefit from the | Canal, because 1t brings it nearer a market for the things it produces. It's cotton goods. manufactured at home out of raw material grown on it's own soil, will be eagerly sought l by the people of South American 1 countries. He points out the advan- tage of Mobile, Pensacola and New | Orleans as Gulf ports which will aid shipping through the Canal. He in- sists that the railroads, if allowed to easily cripple the Canal, and can make such charges that there will be no profit either for the producer so1 the consumer.
 Fighting Bob'' makes the same prophecy concerning the products o1 the Pacific states, notably California He comes out for waterways plar in the Middle West, saying that il would greatly add to the prospective cheap transportation, and would have the effect of holding in. check the overcharging by competing railroad l lines. In conclusion, Admiral Evans says:
 .'The bitter opposition of the rail. roads of the company to connect the two oceans by a Canal is we'll known For many years it was so effective as to prevent any company from getting such Canal or even securing g charter to get one. It was not unti the Nicaragua Canal Co.,, after a long struggle, secured it's charter from the Congress of the United States tha- there seemed any hope of ever really having a Canal. The battle in Con | for f13n +.x1 way to be. dug and owned by tht United States showed how strong tn, , railroad interes+e wo~o and when tht -ork is completed the action of thes , same railroads will determine wheth . CT we are, as nation, to benefit b. 7 if ar moi ''