Omaha daily bee., 1906-10-21
CONTRACT WHICH STACCERS
Features Of the Panama Canal Digging
Which Are Surprising,
COMBINATION OF BIDDERS LIKELY
Some Foreigners Expected to Make
Try for the Biggest Job which
Has Ever Been EARNED
Out.

Try for the Biggest Job which
Has Ever Been EARNED
out.
"A long pull. and a strong pull. and a pull
all together" represents most exactly the
Ella borate scheme by means of which the
Isthmian Canal commission plans to CON
struct the Panama canal under terms of
one contract for the whole stupendous un-
dertaking. Inquiry into details of the plan
and a perusal of the form of proposal pre-
pared for the use of the bidders disclose
many items of interest I'm amplihcation of
the general announcement already made Of
the commissions latest departure in canal
building The immensely of the task at
hand is the more readily appreciated and
confidence in the abilities of the men who
are struggling with the great problem is
strengthened after considering the fact that
a plan has been put into print in the great
est detail, for doing $500, COO, 900 job just as
handily as engaging a builder to construct
a home or Office building.
Two months from today the bids will be
opened here 1t is expected that there will
be at least several aggregations, or COM
binations, of bidders. made up of experts
has made its business reputation. 1t will
not be surprising to members of the COM
mission If some of them are firms composed
of men of nationalties other than Ameri-
can Baron Moncheur. the Belgian minister
here for instance has lost no time in max
ing detailed inquiries as to the commits
sons requirements. Although there is
diplomatic silence as to what future de-
velopments may be anticipated from COM
mercial countrymen of his, by the time
December Il has arrived it will not cause
excitement IL some Belgian firm is found
as one of the co-partners in one group OF
bidders. Other nations, whose pride has
been aroused by noteworthy feats of their
men of constructive genius and mastery OF
scientific problems will doubtless be repre-
scented; so that the prospect is concourse
of engineers of many races and tongues
seeking participation in the development
and completion of 1.-The greatest task Of
modern times"
Best Talents of the World Needed.
This is Chairman Shonts designation OF
the physical construction of the canal.
1T 10 in the highest degree exceptional in
magnitude, complexity and cost" he says.
In order to finish it most successfully, eco
nomically and quickly. he seeks the best
ticular branch OF the undertaking, He
puts aside as impracticable the suggestion
of having the commission build up such
complex organization. 1t cannot be done
he says, because the unprecedented and
greatly extended Industrial activity of the
time and the consequent violent competi-
ton for all classes of skilled mechanics,
and even ordinary laborers." He hopes, in
stead, to find that firms engaged in the
handling of the greatest problems of con-
structlcn now in progress, will link their
interests with the working forces which
they have brought to perfection only after
years OF effort and experience, and will
he attracted to the isthmian project by
the bonuses offered for expeditions and rea-
sonable priced work.
No human mind can estimate the cost
of the canal within such close range as
would enable a group OF contractors to
bid upon the work in the close-hguring
manner they employ in putting up a sky
scraper. or building a bridge. They are
not asked to do so. They have as the
basis OF the competition for the contract
the amount of percentage on final cost at
which they offer TO undertake the work.
Under such agreement the commission
may change the plans and specifications at
any stage, require greater or less work, or
material, or quality, and still maintain the
mutual understanding requisite as a work
ing basis for progress. The successful con-
tractor will be paid the agreed percentage
on the estimated reasonable cost on the
actual construction work will be allowed
two representatives to sit with the chief
engineer. and two others, chosen by the
latter, TO estimate a reasonable time for
Of bR NO will Iar
be subject TO a system Of premiums and
penalties according as the work is COM
pleted ahead Of time lags beyond the
period fixed.
An available, unincumbered capital of
100000 is the first requisite for an assc-
citation OF contractors TO show. Next they
must accompany their bid with certified
check for 100000 as guaranty of good
faith in entering the competition. The
successful bidder must furnish a bond OF
So 10000 with approved security for the
faithful Performance of the contract. Then
all the property and effects of the com
mission will be at the disposal of the con-
tractors to go ahead with the work, each
party to the contract having its rights and
duties specifically DESIGNATED. no matter
what changes may become necessary as the
work progresses.
Enormous Scale of the Transaction.
It is interesting to note on what an enor-
nous scale the whole business Is being
arranged. For instance, the use OF all the
vast equipment which congress has been
providing for by annual appropriations
since possession was obtained Of the canal
strip Is offered free OF cost 20 the sue
cessful bidder. He will be furnished with
"an locomotives, cars. steam shovels. drills.
a.
ties. and track materials, electric light and