New-York tribune., 1907-11-22
CANAL READY In 1914.
PROPHECY BY MR. NAM.
Cost at Panama. He AddS, WW Er-
ceed Estimates by 5O,000,O00.
Iron The Tribune Bureau }

Washington Nov. 21-The Panama Canal VIII
be finished in the spring Of 1914 after an eN-
rendjture of S50.0OO.O00 more than the original
estimates Of the Isthmian Canal Commission
and the board of consulting engineers, accord
ing TO Representative James r. Mann, of IL
Inois who returned yesterday from a trip TO
the isthmus with party of his colleagues He
believes that the foundations of the Gatun dam
are ot rock and entirely satisfactory.
Much information was gained by Mr.. Mann
while on the isthmus and ii is likely that dur
ing the coming session he VIII give his COL
leagues an illustrated lecture. He, went TO
Panama at the request Of the President and
Speaker in order TO make a special study of the
Gatun dam feature. lie said to-day:
Conditions in Panama are in most excellent
shape. Colonel GoethaIs has proved himself mas
mind. The organization is almost perfect The
discipline is good The enthusiasm of the enlpoyes
IS great Every one there seems inbIled win INC INC
spirit Of intense energy Up 10 the beginning or
me present year the work there was preIarator!'
but now the actual construction work IS gong Or
comparison with the work OF me french COM n
ToT three years, in October 1883, they took out Of
what know the Culebra cut $4,000 cubic
$4,000 cubic yards. In October Just passed we
look out $4,000 cubic wards. The rainfall was
year 1856 the French took out of the Culebra cut
3,639,000 cubic yards, while We removed during ue
scar ended October 81 last 100000 cubic yards
The main excsva ton made by the French not
in the CulebrsI cut but easy work near the Carib-
bean sea OIrs has been in the cut and mostly
rock excavation. Mr.. Randolph, of the board
pacity of the steam shovels at $500 yards month
while in October last one of our shoVeis took ont
1887 cubic yards OF rock and another 59'oA' OF
rock and earth
Hud Vet there was a constant movement OF empty
trains from the dumps the shovels and of loaded
has now progressed such extent that even
the lifting of the track toward the eInbankment il
done by machinery and in short order
during me % .af1 ,tera S 10 he eycayaed rom the
and efTT .
;is no not ?9, yef installed inst LED -'-''
I gave special study TO the Gatun dam locks
and spilIvays and brought home with me large
number Of samples OF clay and rock which u
gathered by the side OF these works. Major 81
bert who is IN charge of the Gatun works under
colonel Goetnals; Is Ke ms f1I. S - Ibor
ough knowledge Of the conditions, FROM the Dor
is certain that the foundation OF the great locks
There are numerous problems in connection with
the locks and dams which are not yet worked out
hut the care with which the engineers In charge
ere proceeding leaves no doubt that when fully
determined. the plans viii be beyond proper crlti u
expense ana Eot 10 ability 10 construct safe dams
At the rate of progress already established the
Culebra cut easily be eXcavated within SIX
they can turn water into the new Gatun Lake.
That viii enable them 10 eXcavate a considerabie
9 son 10 1e 9gp the istfrns that The canal will he
finished and ready test within seven years, and
The original estimate for finishing the canal was
s145 600 0O but viii he necessary TO modify. in
many respects the suggested plans OF the original
commission and board IN order to insure greater
safety of construction This will add considerably
20 the expense. While We have expended enormous
upon sanitation and buildings and while we are
aying excessive salaries yet the unit cost OF the
work is probably a little less than the estimate OF
the board OF consulting engineers. 1t is probably
safe to estimate the total cost at about $20@0go.
fn addition to the S5OG0O000 paid 10 the Panama Re
rluflic and the French Canal Company. These
estimates may he increased II ii becomes the policy
further to widen and lengthen the locks
width and 800 feet in length It estimated that
ships . cent larger than the i1usitani3 could
20 through them. We have already provided for
charging the locks 20 100 by loo feet which would
The naval board has recommended 40 feet
width, but this would mean an additional lake or
lakes to store water for use n the dry season
When Uncle Sam purchased the Panama
Canal from the French he obtained the biggest
bargain of the century, according 10 Represent
alive Taylor. OF Alabama Mr.. Taylor. who is
a member of the Appropriations Committee, has
also Just returned from a trip to the canal zone
and he called at the White House to-day to tell
the President that he has been converted from
an opponent of the Panama Canal to a most en-
thusiastic supporter. In an interview ne said:
ahead with such rapid strides under the army
engineers. When the President gave the work TO
the army constructors he took great step in the
From what ] personally saw and was told on
know what they talking about the big ditch
will be done in 1914 Some persons believe il Will
take longer than that, but I do not think they are
experts who have had an opportunity Of studying
Taken at the valuation that our engineers put
upon it. the actual appratseInent Of the work done
by the French engineers before they sold the canal
would have amounted TO S36.000l000, so, you
see. the United States got the greatest bargain
Panama Railroad is another valuable asset.
IT Is pity that everybody who is interested in