The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-14
1900 MEN
AT WORK
ON CANAL

Washington, Dec. li.-In making public
all OF the testimony taken yesterday by
the senate committee on appropriations IN
relation 10 the Panama Canal Emergency
oil. the senate has disclosed In greater
detail the work on tho isthmus than has
been given by all OF the reports OF the
Isthmian Canal commission officials and
others authorized 10 discuss canal affairs.
The testimony taken during the meeting
covers ss printed pages. devoted almost
wholly TO examinations OF Secretary OF
War Taft. Theodore +. shonts. chairman
OF tho commission: J. b. Bishop. secre-
tary. and d. w. Ross. general purchasing
agent.
1t developed during tho testimony of
secretary Taft and Mr.. Ross that sS per
cent OF the material purchased by the
commission was shipped from the United
States. and OF the per cent OF foreign
materials nearly the entire amount was
secured on the isthmus.
Ii was stated that about 1000 men are
employed on the isthmus In canal work,
but that none OF these IN now engaged
In excavating.
Mr. Taft said that 400 OF the men were
employed In the sanitation department
and 1900 In track work. construction of
buildings In machine works and putting
together the equipment In getting ready
for the work of excavating
Ii was stated by Mr.. Shonts that under
Mr.. Wallace's direction dirt was removed
during the dry season at a cost OF 43
cents per ocubic yard, but that the cost
was Increased 10 $3.50 a yard during the
wet season. Mr.. Shonts said: There
would not have been so much difference
II Mr.. Wallace had properly ballasted his
tracks so that when the wet season came
on his cars would not get off the tracks
80 much. Even those big steam shovels
turned over That added very greatly
] think 20 the enormous increase OF his
cost after the wet season did come on, for
the per cent of tho efficiency of his plant
was then reduced TO 25 per cent and sotne-
times less"
canal to be built and the embarrassment
that may Ae felt by members Of the com
mittee In discussing the bill on the floor
was discussed during the hearing. Sena-
tor Hale put the situation in this man
ner
zone OF the first questions Mr.. Morgan
will ask you, gentlemen, Will be this
You have made certain basis. and you
ask for certain money TO carry you until
April or June Now suppose the gen
tlemen say to the appropriations commit
tee: What kind, Of a canal are you go
ing to have there7 what could we say,
gentlemen"
IL think that you will say that you do
not know" replied Secretary Taft
''Then the next question will be. When
will you know" said Senator Hale.
''well. | think this. gentlemen, that
under the Spooner act. II II Is a lock
canal. the president has the right to go
ahead and build the canal as lock
canal" the secretary answered.
"And determine the size and every
thing2" asked Senator Teller.
~ think the circumstances are such and
the language of the act is such as TO indi-
cate that that was the intention Of Con-
gress," replied Secretary Taft.
"ro the limit OF the appropriations" in
Quired Senator Gallinger.
Eyes, 10 the limit OF the appropria-
tion," said Secretary Taft. But II the
president is going to build sea level
canal ne will certainly have TO consult
congress. think he will consult congress
in any event, though the act itself ew-
dently intended that the canal should be
built for sls5.00o00o. IL Is assumed the
estimate OF the Canal commission TO be
correct and the type there fixed of n
lock canal TO be the one the work is 70
be proceeded on"