The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-20
GROIN WELL TO 60
ON STAND AGAIN
Senator Morgan's Curiosity I'm:
appeased - Wallace Talks
About Canal Work.

Washington, March 2O.-William Mel
son Cromwell probably will again be
put on the rack by Senator Morgan be-
fore the interoceanic canal committee.
Mr.. Morgan has served notice that he
desires to resume the examination Of
Mr.. Cromwell, He will ask that he be
summoned to appear. j. when the wit
heard. Several members Of the COM.
mittee are opposed to resuming the
examination Of Mr.. Cromwell, believ-
ing that nothing can be developed
bearing on the present situation. It is
likely Mr.. Morgan will be humored in
the matter. The program is to hear
Mr.. Wallace, the former chief engineer,
General Davis, Secretary Taft and then
pronounce the hearings closed so far
as expert testimony goes.
It is the present desire Of the COM
ings by April l, and then submit a
preliminary report to the senate with
such legislation as may be considered
necessary. It is understood the COM
mittee will not take up the nominations
Of commissioners until after the hear
lngs are over.
Reduce the Commission.
The committee is expected to report a
bill reducing the canal commission to
three members. This will be done on the
supposition that Messrs. Shonts, Ma
| COON and Stevens would be the three
men retained by the president. This
| action will be based on the ground Of
| simplicity and economy. It would en-
| tail saving in commissioners salar-
les of 100000 year. In addition there
will be material reduction in the num-
Der of high-salaried subordinates in
this city, the idea being that a major
portion Of the executive work should
be performed on the isthmus.
There is no present probability that
investigation of conditions on the
isthmus. Nothing could be accom-
plished in time for use at this session.
Wallace on the Stand.
John F. Wallace, formerly chief
engineer Of the isthmian canal commits
sion, today testified before the senate
committee concerning the type of canal
to be constructed across the Isthmus of
| Panama.
Mr.. Wallace, in advocating an ap-
proximately straight, sea-level canal of
ample width and depth as the best type,
urg Jed that any other plan which places
restriction upon the probable permanent
cy of the canal itself, as well as upon
the speed and the size and number of
vessels passing thru it, must render the
canal far less valuable; that the only
deterrent factors in this connection are
relative time and cost, and that in ap
preaching the discussion the question of
how much money the American people
supposedly are willing to invest in the
canal and how much time they are will
ing to wait for it's proper accomplish
Oh ho un n
that Judged by the capitalization anC
dividends now paid upon the stock OF
the Suez canal, it is apparent that the
rates charged for transit thru it are ex
cessive and that thus a material saving
would be offered commerce by the Pana
ma route.
For Contract Work.
He reiterated that increased efficien
cy could be secured if the work were
handled by single contractor, unham
= pered by government methods and will
every incentive to early completion
with, possibly utilization of two shift
instead Of one shift Of ten hours.
Mr.. Wallace contended, if it was no
too much to hope that the committee
will decline to recommend any form O.
canal which is not capable of being il
the future transformed into a sea-leve
canal without undue interference witt
! the worlds traffic or undue additional
cost, that this fact alone should tax
the recommendations of the minority O
!. the board of consulting engineers an
v the recommendations Of the majority O
: the isthmian canal commission out O
= really serious consideration.
Opposes a Dam.
4 Mr.. Wallace questioned whether con
gress would feel justified in indorsin
: the construction Of any dam Of larg
y dimensions, retaining a head of waite
r of say IS feet, the foundation of whic
g does not extend to bed rock or to som
e equally impermeable and reliable strata
The army engineers, he said, coul
most efficiently supervise the contractor
and all the governmental functions, il
S Guiding policing and sanitation, coul
# easily be performed under the contrc
e and direction of the governor Of tn
n canal zone.
n Mr.. Wallace pointed out that in col
h sidering additional time required fc
:, the construction of a sea-1evel cana
: the prompt and efficient utilization c
$, the Panama railroad is matter {
s great Importance.