Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-07-26
Panama-The Canal and the Re
public.

the canal will be built.
1t is not here intended to even touch on
the technical side of the question, but to
give the observations of a layman who
has visited the ground under very favor
able conditions, and to whom the build
ing of the canal appears to be only ques.
ton of capital, transportation and endur-
ance. The first and last the United
States has in great abundance and the
Panama Railroad Co., under the present
capable management, appears to have
solved the question of transportation.
1t seems to be the general impression
in the States that the canal must be dug
from ocean to ocean. This is a mis-
take; there are but twelve miles of actual
digging, the balance of the distance will
consist of an artificial waterway to be
created by means of dams, locks and
lakes. While the work is of gigantic
proportions there appears to be nothing
impractical in the undertaking. Until
recently the work of the Canal Commits
sion under this government has been
largely of preliminary nature, correct
ing unsanitary conditions, improving
transportation facilities, establishing
commissaries, etc. The actual working
conditions as they exist today can be
outlined in few words. There are at
present forty-seven steam shovels in act
i've operation excavating and removing
by trains some $1,000 cubic yards each
day. Some $4,000 men are engaged on
canal work proper, and some 1000 en-
ployees on the Panama Railroad. One
hundred and eighty.seven trains pass a
given point every twenty-four hours, of
which number eight are for passengers
exclusively, some twenty for CONNER
cial freight and from one hundred and
fifty to one hundred and sixty for the
removal of dirt and stone. All CONNER
cial freight is moved at night so as not
to interfere with canal work. The pas
senger trains carry laborers to and from
their work and are also operated in the
intere-t of the general public.
In discussing with the practical men
ON the work the failure of the French
company to make a succe SIS of the under
taking, one is impressed with the respect
and consideration which is generally ac-
corded the French engineers. With the
exception of some minor details their
plans seem to be generally accepted as
correct in theory, but the undertaking
was one of too gigantic proportions for
the machinery available during the
French occupation and also owing to the
neglect on the part of the French COM
pany to attend to the many preliminary
arrangements to which the United States
Government has devoted so much time
and money. No one can inspect in an
impartial manner the work which has
been accomplished by the United States
Government without being impressed
with the buslness-like and capable man.
ner in which the work is being carried
on. One is also impressed with the fact
that this is not one man affair, but the
building of great system with numer-
Gus responsible and capable heads.
When the work is finished, the canal an
established fact, it will stand a monu-
ment not only to the engineering ability
of several great men in that profession
but TO the untiring energy of the people
of the United States, and will be so re-
cognized by the world at large.
The Government on the Panama 18th
mus can be divided into three parts.
That portion under control of the Pana-
ma Government, that portion in the
Canal Zone under perpetual lease to the
United States Government, and that por.
ton under control of the Panama Rail.
road Co., which is practically the United
States Government. The canal zone ex.
tends five miles each side of the canal
proper, but neither the City of Panama
nor the City of Colon is included in this
tract, although the sanitary control OF
both cities rests with the United States
Government.
Colon, the Atlantic seaport of this new
Republic, is practically the shipping
point for all canal supplies from the At.
lantic seaboard of United States and i'm.
ports from Europe. Ten steamship lines
of foreign register touch regularly at
this port, besides the line maintained by
the Panama Railroad Co., and the
tramp" steamer is also a frequent visi.
tor. 1t is the Atlantic terminal of the
Panama Railroad Co. Colon is built on
an island, which was originally swamp
practically at sea level, but reclaimed
many years ago by the Panama Railroad
Co., which has been continually filling
in and is at the present time raising the
entire level two to three feet. Practic
ally none of the buildings are of perm.
anent character, as all of the land is
under control of the railroad company
and lots are leased, usually for short
terms. A clear title cannot be given,
and as a consequence there is no incen.
tive to make permanent improvements
Colon is a city Of some nine or ten thou.
sand population, consisting largely OF
employees of the railroad company and
the Canal Commission.
Adjoining Colon, separated only by a
street, is Cristobal, which is in the Canal
Zone, and is the residence of many of the
employees of the Canal Commission and
railway. Here is located a large com,
missary, maintained by the Cana
Commission for its employees exclusively
A system of coupon books is used, and
no cash crosses the counter. Here is also
| IooataI tho iccinn,o no xr,bor.