The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-19

Washington. Dec. 1s-Mr. John F. Wal
lace. chief engineer OF the Isthnlian Canal
Commission, has been giving the House
Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce the benefit OF his investiga-
tons 30 far as made regarding the en-
cheering tasks TO be performed in the
construction of the Panama canal.
The testimony was taken aboard the
army transport Sumner. in Colon Harbor.
on the occasion OF the recent visit OF the
committee to the canal zone. 1t Is to be
printed for the use Of Congress.
The Associated Press has been given the
benefit Of the testimony in advance Of its
publication through the courtesy Of Chair
man Hepburn and Secretary CUshman of
the committee. Before taking up in detail
the four distinct canal propositions which
are being considered by him. and on
which he is to report to the Canal Com
mission. Mr.. Wallace made this explana-
tion OF the general problem:
ORIGINAL GORGE MISSING.
This isthmus is transversed by a noun
tain range. the summit Of which is ap-
prodmately twelve miles from the Pacific
and thirty-fve miles from the Cerib-
bean. Originally a gorge evidently exist
ed from the Caribbean near Colon to the
vicinity OF Gamboa, and extended beyond
that point in an easterly direction. form
ing the upper basin OF the Chagres River.
After filling this gorge with an aluvial
depoeit, the Chagres has swung Itself from
one side of the valley to the other.
The result is that the thread Of the
original gorge cannot be followed or found
from surface indications. and if is only
by drilling to bed rock that exact inforna-
ton in regard TO any particular locality
can be obtained.
The presence Of powders in this allu-
vial deposit also explains the reason why
engineers, not taking time to go into the
rock far enough to determine its actual
character, have been misled into think
ing they had struck bed rock.
ITO determine the most feasible plan for
the construction of the canal VIII require
"A most careful and comprehensive exam
ination not only Of surface conditions, but
the subsurface must be explored.
THE BoHIO DAM.
After following the valley OF the
Chagres to GAMBIA the line OF the canal
follows a tributary. called the obispo. up
10 the summit OF Culebra. and thence fol-
lows down the valley of the Rio Grande
into the bay Oh Panauld
The summit of Cuiebra was originally
about 800 feet above the sea level. and is
the lowest point in the divide along the
entire length Of the Isthmus Of Panama.
The plan OF the former commission pro-
yided for a dam OF practically 100 feet IN
height, above sea level. at Bohio. with u
wa:er level OF ninety feet above sea level.
This place was selected on account OF
the fact that at that point the hills on
either side of the Chagres come compar-
atively close together, being about l5to
feet apart. and from the surface indica-
Iions It seemed a favorable place for the
tions are that this locality will be an un-
favorable and expensive one Tor the con-
struction of high dam.
TWO PLANS SUGGESTED.
The instructions TO the chief engineer
by the present commission were to make
lull and thorough examinations OF the
canal route. the manner of doing the work
and the various plans which might sug-
6est themselves. and lay before the COIN
rlissiCn the result OF this examination.
with its final recommendation.
The first plan TO be considered. the one
estimated upon by the former commission
is the possibility and practicability of g
high dam, or proper foundation for a high
dam, at Bohio. upon which depends the
advisability of constructing a high leve
canal, with the surface OF the water nine
~ feet above sea level.
THE second plan under consideration is
a summit level of sixty feet above sea
level Constructing a canal on this plan
admits of two different methods of treat
ment:
Hast above sea level at Bohio. with the