The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-03

locks can be begun within fifteen
months. In order to remove 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 ex-
| per1ence in such construction, Alfred
Noble, Frederic P. Stearns and John
X. Freeman, to visit the Isthmus and
make thorough personal investiga-
tons of the sites. These gentlemen
went to the Isthmus in April and by
! means of test pits which mad been dug
| Tor the purpose, they inspected the
| proposed foundations, and also ex-
| amined the borings 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 dimensions now pro-
posed, will rest upon rock of such
character that it will furnish safe
and stable foundation" Subsequent
new behring's, conducted by the pres
ent commission, have fully confirmed
this verdict They show that the
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 animation
Of the foundations of the locks and
dams on the Pacific side are in pro-
gress. I believe that the locks should
be made of width of 40 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 government than by private con-
tractors. Fully 80 per cent of the
entire plant needed for construction
has been purchased or contracted for;
machine, shops have BEEN erected and
equipped for making all needed re-
pairs to the plant; many thousands of
employees have been secured; an
effective organiza ton has been per-
fected; a recruiting system is in opera
ton which is capable of furnishing
more labor than can be used advan-
tageously; employees are well shelter
ed and we'll fed; salaries paid are
satisfactory, and the work is not only
going forward smoothly, but it is
producing results in advance of the
most sanguine anticipations. Under
these favorable conditions change
in the method of prosecuting the work
would be unwise and unjustifiable, for
it would inevitably disorganize exist
ing conditions, check progress, and
increase the cost and 1engthen the
time of completing the canal.
The chief engineer and all his pro-
fessional associates are firmly con-
WINGED 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 to the Isthmus. AS the
plans have developed under their di-
rection their doubts have been dis
PEELED While they may decide upon
changes in detail as construction adj
vances they are in hearty accord in
approving the general plan. They be-
lieve that it 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. I concur in
this belief.
Postal Affairs.
1 commend to the favorable con-
sideration of the congress postal
savings bank system, as recommended
by. the postmaster general. The pri-
mary object is to encourage among
our, people economy and thrift and by
the use of postal savings banks to
give them an opportunity to husband
their resources, particularly those
who have not the facilities at hand
for depositing their money in savings
banks. Viewed. however. from the
experience of the past few weeks, it
is evident that the advantages of such
an institution are still more far-reach- |
ing. Timid depositors have with |
drawn their savings for the time be- !
ing from national banks, trust COM
panies, and savings banks; individuals |
have boarded their cash and working !
has been withheld and kept in
hiding or in the safe deposit boxes 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 bene- |
fit of capital and labor.
1 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
1925 rural routes. serving nearly |
j, 100000 people who do not have the
advantages of the Inhabitants of cities
in obtaining their supplies. These
have been drawn up
to benefit the farmer and the country
favor them, for I believe that it is good
policy for our government to do
possible to aid the small |
-own and the country district. 1t is
desirable that the country merchant
should not be crushed out.
The fourth class postmasters' con-
ion has passed very strong resolu
ion in favor of placing the fourth
class postmasters under the civil SER
vice law. The administration has al
-eady put into effect the policy of re-
using to remove any fourth class
oostmasters save for reasons con-
lected with the good Of the service;
md it is endeavoring 50 far as possible
o remove them from the domain Of
partisan politics. 1t would be a most
thing to put the fourth
lass I,Ostmasters in the classified ser
ice. 1t is possible that this might
,e done without congressional action.
,ut. as the matter is debatable. I
recommend that the con-
sress enact law providing that they
De included under the civil service
aw and put in the classified service.
Oklahoma has become state.
tanding on full equality with her
,lder sisters, and her future Is assured
w her great natural resources. The
I1ty of the national goYernment to