Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-05

HUI oo " 0AA 4As A<AfAchs DOhtA Y Rb~tGho was appointed chief engineer on July last Active work in canal construc- ton. mainly preparatory, has been in progress for less than year and half. During that period two points about the canal have ceased to be open to debate. First, the question of route; the canal will be built on the isthmus of Panama. Second, the question of feasibility; there are no physical ob- stacles on this route that American en- gineering skill will not be able to over come without serious difficulty or that will prevent the completion of the canal within a reasonable time and at req sonable cost. This is virtually the unanimous testimony of the engineers who have investigated the matter for the government.
 The point which remains unsettled is the question of type whether the canal shall be one of several locks above sea level or at sea level with a single tide lock. On this point I hope to lay be- fore the congress at an early day the Ul thC uI American and European engineers that at my invitation have been consider ing the subject, together with the re- port of the commission thereon, and such comments thereon or recommen- dations in reference thereto as may seem necessary.
 The American people are pledged to the speediest possible construction of a canal adequate to meet the demands which the commerce of the world will make upon it, and I appeal most ear nestly to the congress to aid in the ful. hllment of the pledge. Gratifying prog. ress has been made during the past year and especially during the past four months. The greater part of the necessary preliminary work has been done. Actual work of excavation could be begun only on limited scale till the canal zone was made healthful place to live in and to work in The isthmus had to be sanitated first. This task has been so thoroughly accomplished that yellow fever has been virtually ex- tirpated from the isthmus and gen eral health conditions vastly improv- ed. The same methods which con- verted the island of Cuba from a pest hole, which menaced the health of the world, into healthful place of abode have been applied on the isthmus with satisfactory results. There is no req son to doubt that when the plans for water supply, paving and sewerage of Panama and Colon and the large labor camps have been fully carried out the isthmus will be, for the tropics, an un- usually healthy place of abode. The work is so far advanced now that the health of all those employed in canal work is as well guarded as it is on sim liar work in this country and else where.
 In addition to sanitating the isthmus, satisfactory quarters are being provid- ed for employees and an adequate sys- tenn of supplying them with wholesome food at reasonable prices has been ere ated. Hospitals have been established and equipped that are without superi. ors of their kind anywhere. The coun- try has thus been made fit to work in. and provision has been made for the welfare and comfort of those who are to do the work. During the past year a large portion of the plant with which the work is to be done has been or dered. It is confidently believed that by the middle of the approaching year a sufficient proportion of this plant will have been installed to enable us to re- sume the work of excavation on a large scale.
 What Is needed now and without de- | lay is an appropriation by the congress to meet the current and accruing ex- penses of the commission. The first { appropriation of S1O,OOO,0OO out of the $135,0O0,000 authorized by the spooner act was made three years ago. It ia nearly exhausted. There is barely enough of it remaining to carry the I commission to the end of the year. Un- I less the congress shall appropriate be- | fore that time all work must cease. To . arrest progress for any length of time now, when matters are advancing so satisfactorily, would be deplorable. There will be no money with which to | meet payroll obligations and none with l which to meet bills coming due for ma f terials and supplies. and there will be demoralization of the forces here and \ on the isthmus, now working so har- moniously and effectively, if there is delay in granting an emergency appro- priation. Estimates of the amount nee essary will be found in the accompany ing reports of the secretary of war and the commission.
 The Department of State.
 recommend more adequate provi- sion than has been made heretofore for the work of the department of state. Within few years there has been a very great increase in the amount and importance of the work to be done by that department both in Washington and abroad. This has been caused by the great increase Of our foreign trade. the increase of wealth among our peo- pie. which enables them to travel more generally than heretofore. the increase of American capital which is seeking in foreign countries and the growth of our power and weight In the councils of the civilized world. There has been no corresponding increase of facilities for doing the work afforded sr E