Evening star., 1902-02-14
Senator Morgan's Questions
as to Panama Territory.
OBSTACLES TO BE MET
TESTIMONY AS TO ISTHMIAN
CANAL ROUTES.
Commissioner Noble Heard by the Sen
ate Committee-The Bohio and
the Conchuda Dams.

Alfred Noble, civil engineer. and men,
bel of the Isthmian canal commission was
before the Senate committee on interoceanic
canals today. Senator Morgan questioned
Mr.. Noble concerning the sanitation of the
Panama canal territory.
Mr.. Noble said that the matter was not
worked out in detail and 1t would be nee
essary to have absolute control of the cit
les Of Panama and Colon in order to con-
troll sanitation. He thought the conditions
were favorable for yellow fever during most
of the year on the isthmus though he was
not sanitary engineer. There was no
yellow fever in Nicaragua SO far as he
knew.
In answer to a question by Senator Har-
ris. he said there had been great deal of
yellow fever at Panama during the con-
struction of the railroad 1t would be nee
essary for the government assuming con-
tro! of the canal to have police control of
the city during the construction at least.
Bohio and Conchuda Dams.
Mr.. Noble discussed the technical engi-
neering features Of the Bohio dam on the
Panama route and the Conchuda dam on
the Nicaragua route. the former being more
difficult on account Of greater depth At
the depths necessary to go on the Bohio
dam men could not work in the caissons
more than three-quarters Of an hour at a
time on account Of the high pressure
AS TO the harbors, he thought that both
routes were about equal. The cost at
Greytown would be somewhat larger
Senator Morgan asked if artificial har-
pors were not better than natural ones
Mr. Noble replied that some artificial har-
bors were very good. but the best harbors
In the world were natural harbors
MI Noble was questioned regarding the
cuts to be made on both routes, and said
that at Panama the work would be concen-
trated. while at Nicaragua it would be more
scattered.
Replying to Senator Hanna, Mr.. Noble
SAID TINS whole matter had been taken into
consideration when the report was made
Why the Dam Was Moved.
Senator Morgan asked why the commits
sion decided to move the dam on the San
Juan river from Boca San Carlos to Con-
chuda. and Mr.. Noble said that the depth
at Conchuda was 50 feet as against 100 at
Boca San Carlos. and also that the abut-
ments at Conchuda We're much better
Senator Foster of Louisiana asked II the
construction of the Panama route did not
depend upon the safe construction and per-
manency Of the Bohio dam.
Mr.. Noble replied in the affirmative
Senator Foster then asked If the Bohio
dam was actually safe and practical. Mr..
Noble said the work had not been exactly
paralleled. but similar class of work had
been used as would be necessary at Bohio.
He was asked if there were any such un-
certain features on the Nicaragua route as
on the Panama. He said the Conchuda dam
offered similar difficulties. where the depth
of excavation was 50 feet. 1t would be 12S
feet at BOhio, and while that depth was
more difficult it not impra acticable The
Bohio dam, he said. could be built without
entering into conditions that have not been
tried.
Replying to question by Senator Hanna
Mr.. Noble said that had the commission
received a reasonable offer from the Pana-
ma company it would have recommended
the Panama route In the first place. On
the merits OF the routes the Panama canal
was favored.
Mr.. Noble said he had no doubt about
the possibility Of constructing the Bohio
dam.
The committe adjourned until o'clock