New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-21
". B. PARSONS RETURNS.
Tells of Canal Commissions York at
Panama.

William Barclay Parsons, one OF the Panama
Canal Commission. which has been investi-
eating conditions at Panama. returned yester-
day on the Allianca-
To become thoroughly familiar with existing
conditions Mr.. Parsons said THE commission
passed through such portions of the canal as
have been sufficiently finished to be navigable in
small boats, examined at length the celebrated
Emperador and Culebra cuts. which form the
most serious obstacle TO construction and
traversed the Chagres River for some miles
above the line Of the canal to study the details
Of construction necessary to control this stream
which, when in flood, carries an enormous
amount Of water.
THE commission also examined the various
sites selected for locks, and the site OF dam
which It is proposed to construct ut a place
called Bohio, which would convert the central
portion of the canal route into a large artificial
lake. We also examined sites for other dams
In all these examinations the engineers Of the
French company rendered valuable assistance
with information, maps and plans that they had
prepared. The net result OF these inyestiga-
lions is in my judgment, that the construction
Of the canal is perfectly feasible. and that when
constructed the canal can be successfully
operated.
LAS to the details OF the plans to be followed.
II is. OF course. far too early to speak That de-
be carefully studied by the commission. 1 have
never been on the isthmus before. but from all
accounts had expected that the climate would
be exceedingly dlsagTeeab,e, and with sanitary
conditions that could be improved only at great
expense. In both these respects was agreeably
disappointed. The climate during my stay al
though warm not disagreeable as the
extreme summer climate Of either New-Yorl or
Washington AS to the health conditions while
the present death rate on the isthmus is con-
sldeTably higher than the death rate of the
United States and is also considerably higher
than the death rate on the isthmus should be-
I am confident that with a supplv of good water
in Colon and Panama, and a complete sewerage
system supported by proper sanitary regula-
lions vigorously enforced both cities would be-
come healthful places Of residence.
AT present neither city has made any at
tempt to have anything better In sanitary ar
rangements than cesspools, and for a water
suDDlv are dependent clsterns 10 store up
the water from the neighboring country. When
l left Panama steps were being taken to procure
a proper water supply for both cities. During
its trip the commission was appointed by Sur
geons Gorgas. Legarde and Ross of the army
and navy and Captain Gillette, of the Engineer
Corps who investigated the various hospitals
esta blished by the French company. and who
were also interested in the general sanitary con-
ditions OF the isthmus. When l left the 18th
mus all the major details of the investigation
had been completed. and the rest of the commits
sion has remained, to take up matters OF minor
Importance. which do not require a fulI board
They will probably return in a Few weeks TO
Washington. when the necessary engineer corps
VIII be organized"