The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-05
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canal further west Of the present survey,
somewhat as shown by the dotted lines
made on the diagram. ] do not assert
positively that this would be the best plan
to adopt, but ] think it well worth con-
sidering.
My proposed line would take the canal
through certain large swamps between the
Trinidad River and Cafo Quebrado. ard
this might be considered an objection; but
my experience in cutting through these
tropical swamps is as a rule that the mud
or soft earth is not very deep, and that hard
clay is found underneath, so that the task
Of cutting through a swamp is not so diff
cult as might at first be surmised. Levees,
similar 10 those on the banks Of the Missis-
sppi at New Orleans, constructed from the
spoil Of the canal itself. would. think be
sufficient to guard the sides of the canal,
It might be advisable to make the levee
heavier on the side next the Chagres.
The French probably adopted the present
route thinking thereby to save excavation,
but it was a great mistake. There is moth
ing cheaper than handling plain dirt in
dry ditch and 1t might be that the line ]
indicate would cost less 70 dig, in the end
than the one actually in contemplation.
If this route should be found practicable
and there is little doubt on this point-the
outflow of the Chagres would not touch the
canal at ALL All these mysterious and awe
inspiring problems in hydraulics which
the engineers 30 dearly love would be elini-
mated and the construction Of the canal
would indeed be the simple question of
digging dirt.
Such a simphhcation OF the canal prob
lem ought to prove highly gratifying TO
Uncle Sans bank account. To be sure.
digging dirt is very plebeian occupation,
and there seem TO be eminent authorities
who think all other methods should be
tried first. The dig dirt plan may seem
a little old fashioned. because 1t does not
neoessitate many long winded technical
reports. BY il there is no need of exhaust
ing the solemn wisdom OF the generation
in -studes. researches, Investigations
and plans 1t doesn't involve any bril-
liant appeals to the experience Of the hal
cyon days Of De Lesseps; but il is the only
,cdy 10 mGke canal
Divide it up into fifty or sixty sections;
let the work upon competitive bidding to
responsible contractors; keep as far away
from the Chagres River as possible; employ
every steam shovel OF bll!tI tACdNhuIlP
device which can be advantageously used;
work night and day in the Cuebra section
and in short, since ii Is only big ditch, dig
il os you tcouid any other Ouch.
There are any number Of private corpora
tons in the United States which employ
more men than the United States is now
using on the Panama Canal. We are start
ing this great work in a pickayunish, jim
crow style which reflects but little credit
on the energy and enterprise Of the Ameri-
can people.
As illustrating this point. quote from
private letter from Seattle. Wash:
ApropOs OF your comparison between private
and public work, have out here a very convinc.
ing object lesson. The general Government built
one lock al the Cascades OF the Columbia at an
EXPENSE In money OF nearly 100000 and in
time OF nearly twenty years, while private cor
poraton built six locks at the falls OF the willamette
at an expense In money OF less than 10000 and ia
time OF less than two years.
There you have the whole thing in a nut
shell There would not no the slightest
difficulty in digging the Panama Canal in
four years time, and for great deal less
than the present estimates, if it vere man
aged as well az the average private Ameri-
can contracting corporation.
GEORGE W. CRICHPIE1p.
NEW YORK March 4.