New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-20
CANAL DIGGING SOON.
In a FeoO Weeks after the Commits
sion ArriCes at the ISthmuS.

Washington. March 19.-In concluding his
hearing before the House Committee on Inter-
state and Foreign Commerce to-day Admiral
Walker. president Of the Panama Canal Com
mission. said that actual work the canal
would be begun after the commission had been
a few week on the isthmus. for which It was
to sail on March 90 The arrangements for this
work will be completed in Washington. Ad-
miral Walker said that a large number OF IL
spectors would be employed by the commits
sion. These inspectors would be engineers. and
he did not want the law to provide that they
should be selected through the Civil Service
Commission.
Admiral" asked Chairman Hepburn. what
you have said in dsparagement OF the Civil
Service Commission has been very painful to
some OF the members Of the committee. Don't
you think It would be possible for you to Sc
lect what charwomen. scayengers and water
carriers you will need through the Civil Ser
vice7"
Il very Sorry 10 be misunderstood" replied
the admiral because l am thorough believer
in the Civil Service when II does not apply to
But 1 very sure that it would not be
satisfactory to the Isthmus OF Panama
Admiral Walker explained that the e,timate
OF cost Of the canal made by the last commission
did not include the expense OF governing the
canal zone. There was considerable discussion
10 what provisions should be made IN the
proposed law regarding the disbursement OF
money and the auditing Of accounts. but no con-
cluslon was reached. The admiral wanted
every safeguard possible.
The engineering features Of tho work we're s1-
planned al some length. as well as the intense
interest which prospective contractors are TAX
Ing lu the canal The admiral said that on the
steamer on which the commission Was 70 sail
stateroous had been engaged TO the capacity OF
the ship by the agents Of prospective contrac-
tors. who wanted 10 look the ground over. lie
advised that 10 requirement Of law should make
Il necessary TO do The Work by contract, as ne
believed contractors might combine TO the dis
advantage OF the government
lt was the Intention or the commission, no
said 20 continue actual work the canal IS
now being carried by the French company,
IN order to demonstrate the exact cost or such
work The greatest engineering feat OF the
whole enterprise was explained 70 be the con-
sfructlon Of the BOhiO dam. II viii be ees7ary
90 90 40 feet below the sea level TO get the
proper foundation for this dam. Although Dor
iugs have been made FOR rock bottom, Admiral
Walker saii that many more would be nece5-
sary because IL was essential that the en-
giEeers should be absolutely certain OF the
proper foundation before beginning the work
Chairman Hepburn suggested the possibility
Of a failure To find the proper foundation and
asked what the commission would 90 III thtt
event. He wanted TO know II the construction
OF the canal depended ON this dam.
That question which would have 10 pe
met, WAS the answer. The admiral said, how
ever, he had no doubt that IL was feasible 10
construct the dam. on the question OF a sea
that in his opinion it never would be necessary
to go TO the expense Of constructing such
canal. a lock canal would do all the work re-
CURED and cost much less.
Representative Harrison, Of New-YOrk, eN-
planned the committee the provisions or his
bin for the government OF the canal zone. The
bin provides for commission OF twenty-five
business men, the engineering work to be super
vised by corps OF engineers.