The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-03


borings that had been made. In thei
report to the secretary of war undel
date Of May 2, 1907, they said, I'VE
found that all of the locks Of the di
mensions now proposed will rest upor
rock OF such character that II will fur
nish safe and stable foundation
Subsequent new borings conducted by
the present commission have fully con
firmed this verdict They show thai
the locks will rest on rock for theil
entire length. The cross section of the
dam and method of construction viii
be such as to insure against any sliI
or sloughing of. Similar examinations
dams on the Pacific side are i'm prog
ress. l believe that the locks should be
made of width of 100 feet.
Last winter bids were requested and
received for doing the work of canal
construction by contract. None OF
them was found to be satisfactory. and
all were rejected. 1t Is the unanimous
opinion of the present commission that
the work can be done better, more
cheaply and more quickly by the gov
ernment than by private contractors.
Fully so per cent of the entire plant
needed for construction has been pur-
chased or contracted for. Machine
shops have been erected and equipped
for making all needed repairs TO the
plant, many thousands OF employees
have been secured, an effective organ
ization has been perfected, recruiting
system Is I'm operation which Is capa-
BILE Of furnishing more labor than can
be used advantageously, employees are
well sheltered and well fed, salaries
paid are satisfactory and the work is
not only going forward smoothly, but
il is producing results far in advance
of the most sanguine anticipations.
Under these favorable conditions a
change in the method of prosecuting
the work would be unwise and unjus-
tifiable, for It would inevitably disor-
ganize existing conditions, check prog
ress and increase the cost and lengtben
the time of completing the canal.
The chief engineer and all his pro-
vinced that the eighty-five feet level
lock canal which they are constructing
il the best that could be desired. Some
Of them had doubts on this point when
they went to the isthmus. AS the
plans have developed under their di-
rection their doubts have been dis
PEELED. While they may decide upon
changes i'm detail as construction ad-
vances. they are in hearty accord in
approving the general plan. They be-
lieve that 1t provides canal not only
adequate to all demands that will be
made upon 1t, but superior in every
way to a sea level canal. l concur in
this belief.
Postal Affairs.
/ commend to the favorable consid.
Grafton Of the congress postal saw
ings bank system as recommended by
the postmaster general. The primary
object is to encourage among our peo-
pie economy and thrift and by the use
Of postal savings banks to give them
an opportunity to husband their re-
sources, particularly those who have
not the facilities at hand for deposit
ing their money in savings banks.
Viewed, however, from the experience
Of the past few weeks 1t is evident
that the advantages of such an institu-
tion are still more far reaching. Tim
Id depositors have withdrawn their
savings for the time being from ma
tional banks, trust companies and saw
ings banks, individuals have boarded
their cash and the workingmen their
earnings, all Of which money has been
withheld and kept in hiding or In the
safe deposit box to the detriment of
prosperity. Through the agency of the
postal savings banks such money would
be restored to the channels of trade, to
the mutual benefit of capital and la
Dor.
l further commend to the congress
the consideration of the postmaster
generals recommendation for an ex-
tension Of the parcel post, especially
on the rural routes. There are now
oc,<io iuiui IouttS. stTNlUS nearly To-
100000 people who do not have the
advantages of the inha bitants of cities
In obtaining their supplies. These rec
concentrations have been drawn up to
benefit the farmer and the country
storekeeper. Otherwise t shottftf not
favor them, for l believe that II is
good policy for our government to do
everything possible to aid the small
town aud the country district. 1t Is
desirable that the country merchant
should not be crushed out.
The fourth class postmasters' con.
vention has passed very strong reso-
luton In favor OF placing the fourth
class postmasters under the civil serv.
Ice law. The administration has al.
ready put into effect the policy of re-
fusing TO remove any fourth class post.
masters save for reasons connected
with the good OF the service. and IL is
endcavoring so far as possible 10 re
move them from the domain Of parti
san politics. IL would be most de
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