Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-09-19
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT is ANx-
loUs TO HAVE CANAL JOB
PUSHED.
URGES THE ENGINEERS
His Recent Remarks Upon the Advis-
ability Of Rushing the Construction
of the Isthmian Waterway Are
Made Public - "Get Feasible Plan,
Then Go Ahead" His Advice.

Washington, Sept 1S.-President
Roosevelt is urging in the strongest
terms the necessity for plan for the
construction of the Panama canal,
which may be accomplished In the
shortest possible time. In his recent
remarks to the consulting board Of en-
gineers of the isthmian canal commits
sion he said many things which are
regarded as of the utmost Importance
in that connection. These remarks
have just been transcribed and trans.
mitted to the board here ind General
Davis, it's chairman, has been author
lied to make them public. The Presi
dent said:
What 1 am about to say must be
considered in tho light of suggestion,
not as direction; and expect you to
advise me not what you think want
to hear, but what lou think ought
to hear.
There are two or three considera-
tons which trust You will steadily
keep before your minds in coming to a
conclusion as to the proper type OF
canal. | hope that ultimately it will
prove posi-. to build sea level
canal. Such a canal would undoubt-
edly be best in the end if feasible;
and feel that one of the chief advan-
tages of the Panama route is that ulti.
mately sea level canal will be a DOS.
sib1lity. But while paying due heed
to the idea Of the per1ectibility of the
scheme from an engineers standpoint
remember the need Of having a plan
which shall provide for the immediate
building of canal on the safest-terms
and in the shortest possib'- time. II
to build sea level canal will but
sli.ltly increase the risk, then OF
cour'e it is preferable But If te
adopt the plan of sea level canal
means to incur our hazard and to in
sure indefinite delay, then 1t is not
preferable. If the advantages and dis
advantages are closely balanced l ex
pect you to say SO. desire also !:
know whether, if you recommend q
high level multilock canal, it will be
possible after it is completed to turr
1T into or to substitute for It, in time
a sea level canal, without interruptine
the traffic upon 1t.
Principal Consideration.
Two Of the prime considerations te
be kept steadily in mind:
"First-The utmost practical speed
Of construction.
Second-Practical certainty tha
plan proposed will be feasible. that i
can be carried out with the minimum
risk
"The quantity Of work and thu
amount of work should be minimizec
SO far as possible.
There may be good reason why tn,
delay incident to the adoption of
plan for an ideal canal should be in
Cured; but if there is not, then I hop,
to see the canal constructed on sys
tenn which will bring to the neares
possible date in the future time whel
1t Is practicable to take the first shil
across the isthmus; that is, which will
, in the shortest time possible secure
Panama waterway between the ocean
Of such character as to guarante
permanent and ample communicative
for the greatest ships of our navy an
for the largest steamers on either th
Atlantic or the Pacific. The delay Il
transit of the vessels owing to add
tional locks would be of small conse
quence when compared with shorter
. ing the time for the construction of tn
canal or diminishing the risks in it's cor
struction.
"In short, I desire your best juds
ment on all the various questions t
be considered in choosing among tn
various plans for comparatively hig
level multi lock canal, for a lowe
level with fewer locks, and for a sc
level canal. Finally, urge upon yo
the necessity of as great expedition
coming to decision as is compatibl
, with thoroughness in considering tn
I conditions"
II