The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1908-11-30
PROGRESS AND CONDITIONS OF BIG
CANAL WORK SHOWN BY REPORT

flight OF two locks at La Boca, and one
at Pedro Miguel. The locks at La Boca
were placed on the west side OF Sosa
hill and were to overcome the difference
Of the level between the ocean and a
lake formed by the Sosa-Corozal and the
Sosa-San Juan dams. Steps were taken
to construct the former of these dams In
accordance with the proposed plan, and
trestles were built along the toes from
which TO dump material from Culebra cut
The trestles failed after tho dumping
from them began. and the material over
lying the rock moved laterally, carrying
the superlmposed mass with It, In places
this lateral motion continued for two
weeks after dumping had stopped. The
ground on either side OF. and for some
distance from. the dump was forced up.
forming mounds OF mud. the creSts OF
which gradually approached the level Of
the dump proper. After an equilibrium
was established between the dump and
the adjacent mounds tho hump OF waves
would again move out when the track was
shifted toward It. accompanied by sud
den vertical settling OF the track OF six
to ten feet when loaded trains were ap-
piled. Dumping from trestles Of less
height secured no better results.
When the difficulty developed, inves-
legations by boriugs and test pits were
made to determine the character of MA
terial everything the rock. It was found
70 be, for the greater part. an unctuous
little supporting power, instead OF a stiff
clay. as indicated on the prohles. The
depth of rock below the surface varied
from ten 10 seventy feet. and In order TO
build the dams more money and time
would be required than had been estl-
mated.
Motive Power and Machinery.
The work OF this division includes the
erection, preparation for service, and
maintenance In good repair OF machinery
necessary in canal construction; the erec-
ton and operation of air-compressor
plants. electrical installations. and manu-
facturc and repair work for other d.
visions. At the close of the year 2206 men
wero carried on the rolls, and the ex-
penditures amounted 10 S5,6i5, 622 IS.
Three shops, located at Gorgoua, Empire
and Paradise. handle all work except cleo
trical installat tions. and each is charged
with the maintenance and operation OF
engine houses. coal chutcs, and air-com-
pressor plants in its territory.
Shop buildings have been erected at
the three localities. those at Empire and
Paralso being completed during the year.
With the completion Of all authorized
work. the Gorsona shops will have 301-
600 square feet Of floor space, the Empire
shops $4,000 square feet. and the Paraiso
shops 41,0a0 square feet. Included under
the jurisdiction OF the Gorgona shops is
the engine house at Tabernilla for han
ding light repairs to engines overnight:
under the jurisdiction of the Empire shops
are engine houses at Las Cascadas. Lirio,
and Rio Grande; the compressor plants at
Las Cascadas, Empire, and Rio Grandc
and the coal chuto at Las Cascadas
under the jurisdiction OF the Paradise
shops are an engine house. car-repalr
shed, and coal chute at Pedro Miguel.
New Panama Railroad
The relocation of tho Panama railroad
Is mado necessary by the overflow Of the
existing roadbed on the completion of the
lock type of canal From the Atlantic
terminal 20 Mindi. about five miles, aud
from Corozal TO Panama and La Boca
the old limo VIII he used, but between
Mindi and CoroZal the road will be carried
TO tho cast of it's present location and nj
the general elevation OF 95. or ten feet
above the normal surface OF the lake. AS
noted in tho last annual report. mum
bcr OF connecting tracks had been start
cd from tho operated line to The now To-
cation and during Iuly preparatory work
went forward rapidly. but subsequent "a
this. due to lack OF funds. construction
work of Il general character was shut
down and confined to such sections as