New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-17
PRESIDENT URGES SPEED.
FOR SEA LEVEL CANAL.
Promptness and Safety Chief Points
IN Tstbn,ian Construction Work.

Washington, Sept. 16.-President Roosevelt Is
urging in the strongest terms the necessity Tor
a plan for the construction of the Panama Canal
which may be accomplished in the shortest pos
sible time In his recent remarks to the con-
sulting board of engineers Of the Isthmian Canal
Commission he said many things which are re-
garded as of the utmost importance These re-
marks have just been Transcribed and transmit
ted to the board here. and General Davis, its
chairman. has been authorized TO make them
public.
The President said:
What 7 am about to say must be considered in
the light of suggestion not as direction. 1 have
named YOU because in my judgment you are
Especially fitted TO serve as advisers in planning
the greatest engineering work the world mas
seen: and expect you to advise me, not what you
think I want TO hear, but what you thlnk
ought to hear. -, ?
There are two or three considerations which
trust YOU will steadily keep before your mlnds
in coming to a conclusion as to the proper type
of canal I hope that ultimately it will prove
T,oseibIe r. briid sea level canal Such canal
would undoubtedly be best in the END, II 1easl-
BILE; and I feel that one Of the chief advantages
of the Panama route is that ui6Ilately d sec
level canal will be possibility. But, while pay
ing due heed to the ideal perfectibility or the
scheme from engineers STANDPOINT rerneIn-
ber the need Of having plan whlch shal pro
vide for the immediate building OF a canal on
the safest terms and in the shortest possiple
time. If, to build a sea level canal, Will puC
preferable. But, if to adopt the plan or a sea
level canal means to incur hazard and to insure
indefinite delay then ii is not prefera Bile II the
advantages and disadvantages are closely oaI-
aneed, expect you to say so. desire also TO
know whether if you recommend a high lever
multi-lock canal it will be possible, after II is
completed, TO turn 1t into substitute for it, in
time sea level canal. without interrupting the
to be kept steadily in mind are:
Efrst-The utmost practicable speed OF con-
struction.
Second-Practical certainty that the plan pro-
posed will be feasfble that it can be carried out
with the minimum risk
The quantity of work and the amount Of work
should be rninimzed so far as possible.
There may be good reason why the delay In
cident to the adoption of q plan for an ideal
canal should be incurred; but If there is not
then I hope to see the canal constructed on
system which will bring to the nearest possible
date in the future the time when it is PRACTICABLE
to take the first ship across the isthmus; that Is
which will in the shortest time possible secure
a Panama waterway between the oceans OF
such a character to guarantee permanent and
ample communication for the greatest ships or
our navy and for the larger steamers on either
the Atlantic the Pacific. The delay in transit
of the vessels owing to additional locks would
he of small consequence when compared with
shortening the time for the construction OF the
canal or diminishing the risks in its construc-
ton.
In short, desire your best Judgment on all the
various questions to be considered in choosing
among the various plans for a comparatively
high level multi-lock canal, for a lower level,
with fewer locks and for a sea level canal.
FINALLY 1 urge upon you the necessity OF as
great expedition in coming to a decision is
compatible with thoroughness in considering the
conditions.
A meeting of the engineers was held to-day
and the subject Of the construction of dams
further considered. This work is being facili-
+a+ed hv the use of drawings prepared to illus
trate the points OF the discussion 1t is Off
ciaIly stated that no vote any subject relat-
,ng To the construction of the canal viii be
taIen until after this visit The board to-day
decided TO hear Mr. Bunau-Varilla on Tuesday.
instead of Wednesday morning, and Mr.. Bates
m Tuesday afternoon, at which time the re-
specttve plans of these gentlemen will be pre-
sented for consideration.