The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1907-12-04

tions should permit coal, lands to be
worked in sufficient quantity by the
several corporations. The present linn
itations have been absurd, excessive,
and serve no useful purpose, and often
render 1T necessary that there should
be either fraud or else abandonment of
the work of getting out the coal
Progress OF the Work
on the Panama Canal.
York on the Panama Canal is pro-
ceeding in highly satisfactory manner.
In March last. John F. Stevens, chair
man of the Commission and chief en-
gineer, resigned, and the Commission
was recognized and constituted as fol-
lows: Lieut.. Col. George W. Cocktails,
Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, chair
man and chief engineer; Maj. D. D. Gail
lard, Corps of Engineers. U. S. Army:
Maj. William l.. Sibert, Corps of Engi-
neers, U. S. Army; Civil Engineer H. H.
Rousseau. U. S. Navy; Mr.. j. c. S. Black
burn; Col. w. G. Gorgas, u. S. Army,
and Mr.. Jackson Smith. Commissioners.
This change of authority and direction
went into effect on April L. without caus-
ing perceptible check to the progress
OF the work. In March the total eXca-
walton in the Culebra Cut, where effort
was chiefly concentrated, was s15.270
cubic yards In April this was increased
to s79527 cubic yards. There was
considerable decrease in the output for
May and June owing partly to the adj
vent OF the rainy season and partly to
temporary trouble with the steam shovel
men over the question of wages. This
trouble was settled satisfactorily to all
parties and in July the total excavation
advanced materially and in August the
grand total from all points in the canal
prism by steam shovels and dredges ex-
ceeded all previous United States rec
0rdS CHING 1 I'd In
September this record was eclipsed and
total of 1.517.412 cubic yards was re-
moved. OF this amount 1,4S1,307 cubic
yards were from the canal prism and &c.,
los cubic yards were from accessory
works. These results were achieved in
the rainy season with a rainfall in
August of 11.S9 inches and in Septem-
Der of 11.65 inches Finally. in October,
the record was again eclipsed, the total
excavation being 1.S6S,729 cubic yards;
truly extraordinary record. especially in
view of the heavy rainfall. which was
III inches. In fact, experience during
the last two rainy seasons demonstrates
that the rains are less serious obstacle
to progress than has hitherto been sup
posed.
Work on the locks and dams at Gatun
which began actively in March last, has
advanced so far that it is thought that
masonry work on the locks can be begun
Nie'iAA HAtSGH HlOltIlS III OIueF 10 re-
move all doubt as to the satisfactory
character of the foundations for the
locks of the Canal, the Secretary of War
requested three eminent civil engineers,
of special experience in such construc-
ton. Alfred Noble. Frederic F. Stearns
and John r. Freeman, to visit the 18TH
mus and make thorough personal inves-
LEGATIONS of the sites. These gentlemen
went to the Isthmus in April and by
means of test pits which had been dug
for the purpose. they inspected the pro-
posed foundations, and also examined
the behring's that had been made. In their
report to the Secretary of War; under
date of May 2, 1907. they said: I'VE
found that all of the locks. of the di-
mansions now proposed. will rest upon
rock of such character that it will fur
nish a safe and stable founda ton" Sub
sequent new borings, conducted by the
present Commission. have fully con-
firmed this verdict. They show that
the locks will rest on rock for their en-
tire length. The cross section of the
dam and method of construction will be
such as to insure against any slip or
sloughing off. Similar examination of
the foundations of the locks and dams
on the Pacific side are in progress. l
believe that the locks should be made
of width of 100 feet.
Work Will Be Completed
by the Government.
Last winter bids We're 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 Government than
by private contractors. Fully so per
cent of the entire plant needed for con-
struction has been purchased or con-
tracted for: machine shops have been
erected and equipped for making all
needed repairs to the plant; many thou
sands of employees have been secured;
an effective organization has been per-
fected; a recruiting system is in opera
ton which is capable of furnishing more
labor than can be used advantageously;
employees are well sheltered and we'll fed
salaries paid are satisfactory. and the
work is not only going forward smoothly
but it is producing results far in ad-
vance of the most sanguine authorizations.
Under these favorable conditions a
change in the method of prosecuting the
work would be unwise and unjustifiable
for it would inevitably disorganize exist
ing conditions, check progress, and in
crease the cost and lengthen the time
of completing the Canal.
The chief engineer and all his profess
sional associates are firmly convinced
that the IS feet level lock canal which
| they are constructing is the best that
could be desired. Some of them had
doubts on this point when they went tc
| the Isthmus AS the plans have devel-
| oped under their direction their doubts
have been dispeled. While they ma,
decide upon changes in detail as con-
struction advances they are in hearty ac-
cord in approving the general plan The,
believe that 1t provides a canal not only
| adequate to all demands that will be
| made upon it but superior in every way
| to a sea level canal. concur in this
| belief.
| President Recommends
| Postal Savings Banks
| commend to the favorable considera
| ton of the Congress a postal savings
| bank system, as recommended by the
Postmaster-Gener The primary OBJ.
| ject is to encourage among our people
| economy and thrift and by the use Of
postal savings banks to give them an op.
| portunity to husband their resources
particularly those who have not the facil.
| tiles at hand for depositing their none,
| in savings banks. Viewed. however
from the experience of the past few
weeks, 1t is evident that the advantage.
of such an institution are still more far.
| reaching. Timid depositors have with.
/ drawn their savings for the time I,aip.