The San Francisco call., 1904-06-29

AEhlN11lONs June % 4eNAA--A-@ -
Canal Commissioner Grunsky Of San
Francisco has placed the minimum
limit for the completion Of the Pan
ANA canal-any kind OF an old lock
canal-at ten years. This is his con-
servatisn. and, knowing the i'm
patfence OF the American people 10 see
ships sailing through the cut off. he
SAYS nothing about the other limit
the extreme linit-of time which may
be employed in making the big trench
10 sea level. upon which the American
heart is set. No man VIII do this per-
haps. for, OF course, ID, 900 years could
be employed in such & work and the
outermost limit depends entirely upon
the vigor and intelligence with which
the work is pushed. With all going
well ia other espects-neither war
nor Democratic lEnpotency interven-
sing-Eankee energy and invention
may be depended upon 10 bring the
two oceans together within the very
shortest tine that is possible.
But now comes DR.. c. A. Stephens.
an engineer not attached TO the great
work. he has gone over the ground
and made estimates and comes 10
Washington prepared 10 start bear
movement. Th.rty-one years is his
minimum figure. with 10000 men en-
ployed and allowing for American
methods and machines.
STEPHENS ESTIMATE.
He has done a lot OF figuring and
estimated 446.OOO.O0O cubic yards TO
be moved. and that as conserv-
stive estimate, and allowing OF
course. for the work that has
been accomplished He considers
that. the new French company
has been diligent and honest. The
best years work accomplished by that
company was 1897. when, with $500
men employed. II removed from the
Culebra cut $4,000 cubic meters.
chiefly earth. He takes this as his
basis from which 70 figure upon the
whole work and allows 40 per cent
FOR American methods and improved
machines and 80, 900 men. With
10000 men he removes the time limit
ffrsen points. or fOrty-six years for
tie Job. His estimate gives q ditch $50
feet vide AT the bottom, the bottom
being thirty-five feet below low tide.
Az the top il is three-fifths Of a mile
wide and from the north side 900 feet
deep. Dr. stephens describes this cut
as the greatest thing Of the kind ever
undertaken by men. The figures con-
Vey little idea Of its true character. but
Oily by q view Of the work In progress,
The pUuy size Of the engines at work
and the army Of men as compared TO
the great trench. can any vague con-
ception De gained.
The walls OF this excavation. he says,
ceEcentEate and reflect heat like the
-eails OF an oven. and the seething
steam boilers accentuate il. The price
10 be paid in human suffering here TO
secure the boon 10 commerce, he says,
VIII De nothing less than frightful.
FIGURES THE COST.
As 70 the price in douars-the cost Of
labor AZ 81 per day. interest on the
money foI thirty years at 3 per cent
and the salaries Of engineers, foremen
and others at like reasonable rates. ma
chinery, transportation and other es-
ntia2s At current rates-he figures
that II $50, 600 600. adding 10 this the
price paid 70 the French company, there
is q grand total Of ssh. 900 600. II viii
be seen that DR.. Stephens is not dis
posed 10 take a cheerful view with his
figures.
The story q how Secretary Hay has
substituted the word American" for
the United States" in reference TO the
foreign consulates has created a great
deal OF newspaper gossip. Explanations
have been vsriOusly made II is said
that there has been no disposition on
the part OF the State Department 10
change the official designation OF the
diplomatic or consular representatives
Of the United States
AL that has been done. Il is declared.
is 20 authorize the use Of the word
american" which is more euphonious
fhan the words United States"
Z has-ln fact been the custom for
years 70 designate in the official mail
the residences Of the diplomatic Off
GERS abroad as the American Embas-
sy," or The American Legation" Mr..
Hay has extended this custom to The
American Consulate" and The Ameri-
can Consulate General" a matter OF
euPhony only. Il is said. All these off,
Gers VIII. IN their commissions, still
represent the United States OF Ameri-