Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-14
THE PANAMA CANAL.
Interesting Figures as to Estimates OF
Cost Of Work Made Public.

Washington. Dec. 13.-In making pub
lie all of the testimony taken yester-
day by the Senate committee on appro-
priations in relation to the Panama
canal emergency bill. the Senate has
disclosed in greater detail the work on
the isthmus than has been given by all
Of The reports of the isthmian canal
commission officials or others authOriz-
ed to discuss canal affairs.
The testimony taken during the
meeting covers IS printed pages. de-
voted almost wholly to examina tons of
Secretary of War Taft. Theodore p.
Shonts, chairman of the commission;
]. B. Bishop. secretary, and D. w.
Ross. general purchasing officer.
1t developed during the testimony of
Sec. Taft and Mr. Ross that SO per cent.
of the material purchased by the COM
mission was shipped from the United
States. and of the per cent. of foreign
materials nearly the entire amount
was secured on the isthmus.
1t was stated that about 1900 men
were employed on the isthmus in canal
work, but that none of these are now
engaged in eXcavating. Mr.. Taft said
that 1000 of the men were employed in
the sanitation department and $4,000 in
track work. construction of buildings.
in machine works and putting together
the equipment in getting ready for the
work of eXcavating.
Continuing, Mr.. Taft said
Mr.. Stevens states and think Mr.
Shonts agrees with him-that Former
Engineer Wallace made n mistake in
eXpending what he did for actual ey-
CavatiOn work IN the Culcbra Cut. Il
was not done for the purpose of exca-
walton but for tn" purpose of making
estimates as to the cost and Mr.. Ste
vens thinks that the material which
was removed was deposited at places
from which it will be again removed
and that estimates based on these cx-
periments. therefore, are estimates
based upon what do not assimilate to
the actual work to be done
"Of course" continued Mr. Taft. the
great problem there is not excavation.
The great problem there is not exca
walton. The great problem is trans
portation and the disposition Of the
waste. Dirt taken from Culebra Cut
has to he hauled by rail from four to
Is miles,
Mr.. Shonts then said of the work
done by Mr.. Wallace:
He selected the easy work ~ tba
Top of the cut. where he had gravity
hauis. He wasted il at the nearest
place he could and mislcd himself and
other people by taking the cost per
cuolc yard, thus arrived at during the
most favorable circumstances. lis being
'he unit cost at which he could do tho
entire work Fnr thor ,.o,,, -.
was practically wasted"
II was stated by Mr. Shonts that nm
ger MIR. Wailaces direction dirt w,s
ie"ioVed during the dry season =, .
.ost OF ~ cents per cubic yard. but tb,t
.ne cost was increased to 81 30 3, ,,,rd
said: M ShontS
'here could not have hecn 81 ,,,,,o,,
Inference II Mr. Wallace had nronorI,
ai'"steu his tracks. so that whom ~
"e' season came or his cars world ~.
get on the tracks so mucb r., ''''
Dig steam shovels turned over"
Interesting testimony as to tho t,.,,o
" oaha to be built and tho e,,h,..
ss'heht That may be felt nv ,,,a,,,,,>,..
ny commission in discussing ,be Nm
vi 'i' hoor was taken up. Senator IT,
'". .he situation this way: -'''e
one OF the first ouosti,rs NJ, ,
this: e''eihch. VIII be
You have made certain bases .,,