New-York tribune., 1907-01-18
NJ DANGER AT GATUN.
Borings Shoe Safe Foundation for
Great Dam.

Washington Jan I7.-Chairman Alillard OF the
Senate Committee 1nteroceanio 'Canals niaoe
public to-day the report of the Canal Commission
the borings at the Gatun Dam Site which was
furnished in response request from the COM
mittee The report includes a statement from
Chief Engineer Stevens. in which he says that lZI
holes have been bored at the Gatun site. all snow
ing that the lock walls will rest firm and suita-
BILE soft rock He also says that sixty-three oor-
ings all extending TO rock. have been made across
the valley of the ChagreU, covering the dam site.
and that pervious material was found at only four
holes and below 200 feet. At the Pedro Miguel
Il ok walls there have been ten borinss. all showing
rock suitable for foundation.
The correspondence accompanying tho report
shows that the information was transmitted in re-
sponse a letter from Senator Millard dated jan
uary s. in which he informed the commission OF
the desire OF the committee for information. In
that letter, which was addressed TO CHAIRMAN
Shonts the Senator said:
At meeting OF the committee held this morn
ing II was represented by one of the members tpat @
cific side OF the Culeora cut had been found un-
5s bad been changed two or
miles from the original point Designated II mas
found TO be very unsatisfactory. and Il is the de-
sire OF the committee that before TussnaS & x hnH
you give full information in regard to the hor.
nss sy St ave Ses seeD had during the last Year Il
uilh OF the committee that this be as full and
cate that. Gatun especially the conditions have
Eeen found very unfavoraple
In his response Mr.. shonts included not only the
statements of members OF the engineering COM
rtttee OF the commission but also a cabled state
rent from Chief Engineer Stevens. giving fun IN
formation on the point in question up to January
T. Followins~is full text OF MIR. Stevenss dis
patch:
One hundred and twenty holes have been been
bored IN the Gatun lock site covering an area
OF 1900 to 5000, feet. Al carried well below.
9t Feet oK OK mors ma be%w eh1 sve and ali show
that the lock walls will rest on Arm and suita 81 pie
covering OF controlling gates for spillWy;ay
Of borings sixty-three in number all extending to
rock have been made across the valley ~ OF the the
in only four holes. and these below 200 feet Pedro
Mgge 1SgE ali showing rock sgab r
Foundations Test pits Gatun and pecpo cn2e, gTo
borings.
The letter from the engineering committee bears
the signature OF its chairman. Admiral Endicott.
who says:
We know Of no foundation for the report that
the proposed lock on the Pacing & SIDE e., mas 9eeh
pont designated" The locks, both at Pedro Miguel
and G te dvs b6sd
lions are necessarily general When special h , eX,
foundation for the locks at Pedro Miguel did not
res and light shifting OF position may be ad-
visable but there have been no other changes con-
In CONCLUSION state that the H nyesgato1s a att rs
bgcb tha caused
no disclosure of extraordinary difficulties requiring
rSanges OF previous plans. The continuation OF
smrvava has for it's object the complete adapta-
TIit OF the design of locks and other features OF
the plan to tho existing surface and suo-suriace
conditions. ,. .-,,,,,,or. ,,o5.
There is nothing in the later eaamnauons "a mage tb
affecting the practicabiity or perihahehoe ol ''ie
Gatun dam.
Admiral Endicott also transmitted a number of
blueprnts, showing what has been done IN the
way of making borings.
Commenting on the documents transmitted. Mr..
Shonts says:
While the report of the members OF the engineer
Ing committee and the cable from Mr. stevens re-
ia7e nrImariy to the lock sites, your attention Is
called nevertheless. to the statement that there
"a nothing In the later examinations made aHect-
ing the practicability permanence of the Gatun
dam"
The members of Senator Millard's committee are
giving careful attention to the report put II VIII
not be considered until next Tuesday, when the
committee will meet.