The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-21
CONVERTIBLE LOCK
CANAL | J. IS FAVORED
Sea-Level Plan Is Not Given First
Place by Chief Engineer
49, Wallace. { s~ ..
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal. --Ss-,.F -. ..-.
Chicago, Dec. 21.-Walter Wellman,
in a Washington special to the Record
Not a sea-level Panama canal, but
canal with locks, and so constructed
that it may be converted into tide
water canal at any time without OBJ
struction Of traffic from ocean to
ocean. This is3ithe. Panama project
now in highest favor. with Chief Engi-
neer, Wallace, member of the canal
commission, and leading PUBLIC men
who have given, careful attention to
the isthmian problem.
exist thruout the country over the alb.
stract; of the preliminary report OF
Chief Engineer Wallace, recently pub
lished. Many persons have gained the
idea that sea-leveI canal. has been de-
cided upon. This is not true. No def
mite plan has been adopted, and En-
gineer Wallace and his staff. are now
tions preparatory. to making final
definite recommen dation to the commits
Criticisms Unwarranted. "
On account Of the Prevalent misun-
upon Washington. For example, a New
York paper which has always advo-
Gated the Nicaragua route, today in
quires, with slight degree of asperit;y,
why It is now proposed to. change the
plan. It says that when the Panama
route was adopted BY congress-, the
country was led to gbelieye the, cost OF
lock canal would be, 9nly $144 ooo'Qppo
years would Be REQUIRED for the work.
Now, says the New ~ orlSr ditol, .weaare
confronted with a proposal to have
sea- level canal costing $500, 100000 and
requiring twenty years for construc
ton, and the questions are asked, will
congress vote all this money, and is
/ the country willing to wait a genera
tion for a canal9 y - ~ ,snEEr
- K Sea Level Not Urged. F.:
f, But Chief Engineer Wallace has: no,
recommended the immediate construc
ton of a sea-leveEa CANAL. I'm fact, he
has made no recommendations at all
He has only discussed various alterna
tive plans, and in good time he vii
tell congress and ; the country which
one Of these he elects to support:
It is, however, well understood thai
Mr.. Wallace believes the United States
should construct a canal which may g
any time, If the traffic warrants it, b
converted into sea-level canal. In" thi
he is supported by Chairman Kittredg'
Of the senate canal committee and b,
other public men who have CAREFUL,
studied the situation. s','s;> - .'' !
The Suggested Solutions.
| In all the world today there is n
other engineering problem one-half S
interesting as the canal problem a
Panama. There are four suggested sc
lutions: -*E
First-A lock: canal with the hig
level, ninety feet above the sea- cos
about 5000, 100000; time required, eigh
second-A lock canal with the hig
level sixty feet above the sea; cos
about 1926, 100000; time required, te
years. 'r.>rS.~z. : = 81. = =.
Third-A lock canal with the hig
level thirty feet above the sea; coz
about i $25O,0oo,oo0; time required
twelve years. 80 81 = -. T. =.
| Fourth-A sea-level canal with a It'd
lock at the Pacific end; cost abor
:: $500, 000,000; time required, fftee
years. =. >s,,H, r.; :; .~r'
| It is the third plan that is likely t
be adopted. es,a. :. -, -, -,