Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-23
ACTUAL WORK
Progressing in Building
of the Isthmian Canal.
Professor Burr Bring Very En-
couraging Reports.
Committee of Investigation Find Things
Running SroothIy-A report.

New York. Feb. 22.-RcportS Of 4
substantial progress IN the actual work
OF digging the great isthmian canal
ut Panama were brought to this CITY.
today. by Canal Commissioner VIM.
tarclay Parsons and w. II. Burr. who
arrived on the steamer Alliance from
Colon.
Prof. Burr made the subjoned state
n.ent: The committee on engineering
of the isthmian canal commission re-
port that they found the work general
ly i'll much better and more advanced
condition than they anticipated. In the
great Culebra cut the detail of con-
struction that will take the most time
and most money, the chief engineer
has enstalled and has 1T work three
large american steam shovels and is
erecting FIVE more. Four thousand la
borcrS are row at work on different
portions Of the work, ana 1000 more
have been engaged i'll the West IN
dies ANA Central America. Substantial
progress is therefore being made.
"W lille on the isthmus, the commit
tee WAS in daily conference with the
chief engineer with Il view 10 formulate
iiIS, tci tall llldilS, ttIIlt ~ - '''
can be let at an early date. These plans
ana the accompanying data VIII DE
submitted to the commission i'll WASH
in"ton.
at Panama and Colon the laying OF
sewers and water pipes Is progressing
steadily, so that in the near future
both of those cities will for tn" first
time be furnished .vith Il system Of
sewers and water supply with aDund-
ance Of wholesome water. The pres
euce of yellow fever is to be regret
ted but was to be expected rs this dis
ase is always present in tropical coun-
tries in America. unless long continued
sanitary precautions have been taken.
Prior to the sanitary work of the conf
mission no precautions or scientific
measures have been taken on the 18TH
mus to guard against this disease. The
same medical officers who succeeded i'll
eliminating the fever from Havana are
Low repeating the crusade i'll Panama.
Eeyond any question equally success
full results will be reproduced. vt the
present time there IS nothing approach
ing an epidemic and the conditions are
greatly improved over those found in
previous years, SOllle VI ltIt IL" op'tI'l
accounts that have reached the 18TH
mus from the north We're much eXa5-
geratnd.
Tile committee returned more than
satisfied with the general conditions
of the enterprise and believe that COM
rlctiun will be obtained III less time
than is popularity supposed. Some time
has been of necessity devoted by the
engineering staff to the study and III
vestigation of certain details not fully
determined by the French. This pre-
limirary work is now really ended and
the actual work Of construction on
large scale can soon begin"
Mr.. Parsons attention was called TO
the investigation Of the affairs of the
Panama railroad and in the matter OF
fees, said:
These fees are all right. we all get
them. All corporations pass them Ten
dollars is handed each. after each
meeting. They amount to $50 to 500
a year"
Judge G.. +. Little. who will defend
u lottery cOnipany'S right to sell lot
terry tickets in the canal zone also ar
rived on the Alliance. The case Is on
appeal to the supreme court Of the
United States.