The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-12-27
so CONSTRUCTED THAT 1T CAN
BE CHANGED.
SEA-LEvEL To COME LATER
Four Plans Suggested for the Panama
Canal and What Each Is Esti.
mated to Cost.

Chicago, Dec. 22.-Walter Wellman,
in a Washington special to the Record
Herald, says:
Not a sea-level Panama canal, but
a canal with locks, and so constructed
that it may be converted into a tide
water canal at any time without OBJ
struction of traffic from ocean to
ocean. This is the Panama project
now in highest favor with Chief Engi-
neer Wallace, members of the canal
commission, and reading public men
who have given careful attention to
the isthmian problem.
Much confusion of mind appears to
exist throughout the country over the
abstract OF the preliminary report OF
Chief Engineer Wallace, recently pub.
lished. Many persons have gained the
idea that a sealevel canal has been
decided upon. This is not true. No def
mite plan has been adopted, and Engi-
neer Wallace and his staff are now
at Panama pursuing their investiga-
tions preparatory to making a final
definite recommendation to the com
mission.
Criticisms Unwarranted,
ON account of the prevalent misun-
derstanding, criticisms are pouring
upon Washington. For example, a New
York paper which has always advo.
Gated the Nicaragua route today in.
quires, with a slight degree of asper.
ity, why it is now proposed to change
the plan. 1t says that when the Pan
anna route was adopted by congress,
the country was led TO believe the cost
oil a lock canal would be only $144,-
DOC, 900 in addition ito the $40, OOO, 900
paid the French company, and that
only 10 years would be required for
the work. Now, says the New York
editor, we are confronted with a pro-
posal to have a sea-level canal costing
$500, 0OO, 900 and requiring 20 years
for construction, and the questions
are asked, will congress vote all this
money and is the country willing to
watt a generation for a canal?
Sea-LeveI Not Urged.
But Chief Engineer Wallace has not
recommended the immediate construc-
tom of a sea-level canal. In fact, he
has made no recommendations at all.
has only discussed various alterna-
tive plans and in good time he will
tell congress and the country which
one of these he elects to support.
1t is, however, we'll understood that
Mr.. Wallace believes the United
States should construct a canal which
may at any time, if the traffic warrants
it, be converted into a sea-level canal.
In this he is supported by Chairman
kittredge of the senate canal commit
and by other public men who have
carefully studied the situation.
The Suggested Solutions.
In all the world today thefe is no
other engineering problem one-half SO
interesting as the canal problem at
Panama. There are four suggested
First-A lock canal with the high
level, 80 feet above the sea; cost abou;
900; time required, eight or
nine years.
Second-A lock canal with the high
level go feet above the sea; cost
about 1925, 900; time required, 10
Third-A lock canal with the high
level 30 feet above the sea; cost about
$4,000 900; time required, IL years.
Fourth-A sea-level canal with a
Tide lock at the Pacific end; cost
about 100000 900; time required. Is
years. y
1t is the third plan that is likely to
,a odoptod Ii