The sun., 1904-12-07
FOR SEA LEVEL PANAMA CANAL
CHANGE If MADE WILL COST A
HUNDRED MILLIONS.
Congressman Talk OF Doing Away With
the Lock and Dam system, Despite
the Increased Expense-Engin Wal.
lace Having New surveys Made.

thV hFVCh ba" sybtVII, pCbpttS
the Increased Expense Engineer Wal.
lace Having New surveys Made.
WASHINGTON, Dec. with the return
to Washington OF the members OF tho House
Committee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce. a new and radical change In the
plans for building the Panama Canal has
become a topic Of serious discussion. This
change contemplates the construction Of
Il sea level waterway in place OF the lock
and dam canal authorized by Congress-.
The membe-s Of the committee after a
personal inspection Of the canal route,
are all impressed with the sea level project
and in this Senator Kittredge Of South
Dakota, who accompanied them, does not
differ from them. While no one knows
how much more the sea level canal will
cost than a lock and dam canal. a rough
estimate that something like 500 900 600
additional will be required has been made
Representative Hepburn OF Iowa, chair
man of the committee, said to-day that he
had reached the conclusion, as a result OF
his visit to the 1sthmus. that a sea level
canal will come, II at all, not because the
members of the Isthmian Canal Commits
sion desire waterway Of that character,
but because Chief Engineer Wallace has
been unable to get a foundation for the
proposed Bohio dam across the Chagree
River.
The surveys made by the French COM
pany have been found of little value. Chief
Engineer Wallace has had other surveys
made without regard to the work done by
his predecessors. These surveys will be
finished probably in sixty days. Then he
will be in a position to determine whether
1t will have to be a sea level or q look and
dam canal.
II sea level waterway is demanded by
the physical peculiarities Of the canal strip
additional legislation will be required.
The estimate OF 100000, 900 additional does
not necessarily mean that the cost will be
$500 900 900. Chairman Hepburn believes that
when Chief Engineer Wallace gets down
to estimates and real work he will do the
digging for much smaller amount than
that set down by the French ngineers.
The greatest difficulty which Mr. Wallace
has encountered is on the site OF the pro-
rosed Bohio DAM said Mr.. Hepburn to-
day. Surveys have been made up to
tue edge of the Chsgres River. There
the work was stopped by high water. The
borings at the edge Of the stream have
gone to a depth of los feet before finding
a stratum OF either rock or other water
bearing material upon which the founda-
tions OF the dam could be placed.
"Hor much deeper the borings will have
to oe sent in the middle OF the stream is
altogether coniectural. II Ia not hard
even for 6 laymsn to understand that 1t
will not do to undertake to 60 much deeper
for q stratum upon which to plaoe the
foundations.
L, the foundations cannot b had the
engineers will have to build dam further
up the streaIn, net to control al! the water.
but only part Of It, Part OF 1t will have
to be diverted into the canal. the prism Of
whioh will have to be increased In order
TO receive It.
NO one knows how much moro a sea
level canal will cost. but the estimate gen.
erai.y accepted is sl0o, 10000 II Chief
Engineer Wallace decides that canal
without lccks Is what we will have to build
have no doubt that he will complete 1t
In the time allowed him for the completion
Of the work according to the original plsns.'
The Iowa Congressman seid that when
the digging begins in earnest he doee not
doubt that Chief Engineer Wallace will
devise steam shovels that will remove five
yards Of earth at each scoop. instead Of
only yard and half, as is the case now.
and thereby reduce the cost Of digging
much below the estimates Of the French
engineers, who figured on smaller tools
and less efficient labor than MIR. Wallace
will have at his command.
A lasting sentiment has developed in the
Senate in favor OF sea level canal at Pana-
ma This has been fostered by the un-
official statements OF Mr.. Wallace to the
effect that such canal is feasible and by
the testimony Of Senator Kittredge.
Senator Perkins will soon Introduce a
resolution directing the canal commission
to develop plan for the. construction Of
a sea level canal at the Panama Isthmus,
even at increased cost and with extended
period for construction, reporting to Con
gress through the President of the United
States at the earliest day practicable such
increased COST and period for construction
as may be found necessary.
TAFT FOR SEA LEVEL CANAL.
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