New-York tribune., 1907-11-27

specsaIy on the Culebra division. Colonel Goethals
nevertheless gives special figures on this division
lsor last July, August and September which afford
an interesting comparison with the corresponding
months last year. For instance last July the
kotal excavation. in cubic yards, on the Cuebra
oivision, was 77O57O as against 1878 In 1906; in
August 7ss s6s compared with PA s23, and in Sep
irember 753,4Ss, against 29l452
WORK DURING WET SEASON
These three months constitute the latter part of
the wet season in the canal zone, and the fig
ures are therefore of especial interest 20 those
watching the progress of construction work. Colo
mel Goethals gives what may be regarded as an
lexplanation of this pronounced increase in eff
iCient work in these words:
The Culebra division is practically ten miles In
nized that general supervision of ali the steam
shovels ali The trains of the entire division un-
productive Of the best results in fixing responsible
y 2eTne 81 case aR orf eons@@ny @DT Sight
change in organization was effected on July /.
This consisted in subdividing the division into five
construction districts, each under charge of a
pi,3 f a., i III, IN be ,,stc, 40 - pet,r
suits have followed, with less friction Since the
proved over the early months OF the wet season.
Colonel Goethals has this to say of the stabn-
.ity OF the rock foundation OF the locks and DAMS
q subject, especially applying to the Gatun
Dam. which was inquired into extensively by the
Congressman who recently returned to Washington
after inspecting the work the canal:
The department of construction embraces the
iGstun locks and dam, the locks and dam at
Pedro Miguel. the locks and dams at La Boca
tlnetecrology and river hydraulics The locks are
in pairs each as now proposed, with usable lengths
lof loo feet and widths OF 100 feet The adopted
tpro5ect contemplates a flight of three locks al
lGatun' flight of two AT La Boca and lift at
Prior and subsequent TO the adoption by Con-
gTess Of the eighty fve-foot level canal in June,
i1yb borngs were made 10 determine the char
The classification of the data so obtne6 IcH 1a s'Ts T
q ara
adverse comment. questioning the suitability of
ne & nsIeIlai Tor me purpose To actually develop
me character OF Ihe foundations on which the
locks are TO rest five test pits each 6 by feet,
Gatun, Two az Pedro Miguel and one at the spill
way IN Gstun dam. The outcroppng Of trap rock
at La Boca, which borings showed extends to
proper depths rendered such examinations of the
foundations for these locks unnecessary.
on the completion of the test pits a board of
$nsulting engineers. consisting Of Alfred Noble.
frederick p Stearns and John R. Freeman. made
! q personal examination of the material, and un-
Ger cate OF Nav ?, 1907. reported follows: I'VE
E3g 10 record that found that all Of the locks
~ The dimensions now proposed will rest upon
safe and stable foundation Since then naIef,1
borings have been continued over the entire area
surface with view 70 the most economical adj
5ustment Of the locks to the site
The appropriations thus far made bv Congress
for the construction Of the canal and the expendi-
lures up TO July ! Of this year are thus sunnna-
rzed by Colonel Goethals:
The tabulated statement Of approximations and
expenditures shows that So sos SIS g has been an
propriated for the construction OF the canal he
! tween the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and
that Of this amount at the close OF the fiscal year
adopted by Congress was estimated by the hoard
cf consulting engineers to Sl39 75 200 excllI-
eminent The estimates submitted did not go nS sUa @
plate provide for waterworks sewers ana Ta1,-
Ing in Panama and Colon. made necessary TO Sc