The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-12-06
The Panam. canal

The Panama Canal,
Work on the Panama canal ia nroceed.
ing in a highly satisfactory manner.
cn IL Mas cat. the Mse. total stl,e e]Seavatipn in the
centrated, was S1o. 30 cubic yards. In
April this was Increased to SIS, 527 cubic
yar as mere al, was vas. a considerable decrease
partly 70 the advent Of the rainy season
and partly TO temporary trouble with the
S Wsees. sn The t men ever wos the so question /, Of
factorily TO al. parties and in July the to-
tai excavation advanced materially and
IN n n {he eana the n4 sTnnd 1T total from al points
dredses exceeded all previous United
States records. reaching l,274, 4o4 cubic
yards. In September his record was
yards was s' removed Q ep'a Or 9 this l amoma. i iabl c
800 cubic yards were from the canal prism
and @,l@ cubic yards were from acces-
in the rainy season with a rainfall In Au-
gust of 11.S3 inches and in September of
ll.s' inches. Finally, in October, the rec
walton being 1855, 729 cubic yards: a truly
extraordinary record. especially in view
Of the heavy rainfall. which was Iii
1t is the unanimous opinion of the pres
ent commission that the work can be done
better, more cheaply. and more quickly b.
the government than by private contract
ors.
The chief engineer and all his profess
sional associates are firmly convinced that
could ceul 1 be d denSsane''n Some ls t Of hest best thai bsa
doubts t,9t on this point when they, went TO
under their direction their doubts have
been dispelled. While they may decide
upon changes IN detail as construction adj
proving the general plan. They believe
thai 1t provides a canal not only adequate
20 a!l demand that will be made. upon Il,
but superior in every way to a sea level
canal. l concur in this belief.
Postal Affairs.
! commend to the favorable consideration
OF me congress u postal savings bank
system, as recommended by the postmas-
c cer general. The primary object is to en-
Ihfltt and by the use OF postal savings
panks TO give them an opportunity TO
their resources. particularly
those who have not the facilities at hand
Tor depositlns their money in savings
banks. Viewed, however, from the expe-
tience or the past few weeks. it is evident
are sun more far-reachIng. Iimid depos-
TORS nave Withdrawn their savings Tor
en being from national banks, trust
nave boarded their cash and the WORKING
men their earnings; all OF which money
mas been %itl1held and kept in hiding or IN
prosperity. Through the agency of the
postal savings banks such money would
Je restored to the channels OF trade, TO
me mutual benefit of capital and labor,
1 further commend to the congress the
onslderation of the postmaster generals
recommendation for al extension of the
parcel post. especially on the rural routes.
l mere are now Sc, 215 rural routes, serving
carry l5.WO,oW people who do not have
advantages OF the Inhabitants of cities
obtaining their supplies. These recon-
have been drawn up TO benefit
ne farmer and the country storekeeper;
'taerWise. 1 should not favor them, for /
.eileve that 1t Is good policy for our gov
Lnlnent TO do everything possible to aid
small town and the country district.
! is desirable that the country merchant
mould not be crushed out.
~ would be a most desirable thing to
ut the fourth-class postmasters in the
lassined service.
Bureau of Mines.
j agair recommend that the rights of
ielzehship be conferred upon the people
= Porto Rico. T,
a bureau OF mines should be created ,
nder the control and direction of the ,
ecretary of the Interior; the bureau 10
ave power to collect STATISTICS and make .
In all matters pertaining to ,
inning, and particularly TO the accidents
M dangers of the industry. !,
legislation should be enacted at the ,
resent session of the congress for The
llrtpenth rapctJS "