New-York tribune., 1909-01-13
THE TYPE OF THE CANAL.
The Sea Level Plan Commended by It's oppo-
nents Own Figures.
To the Editor Of The tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In the last few days advocates of the lock
system for the Panama Canal have stated mat
those OF Us who urging the reconsideration of
the question and the construction OF sea level
canal inspired by more Of the following
motives: I. Opposition &c ary canal with the fool
sh idea Of friendliness 10 the transcontnental rail-
roads; advocates OF the Nicaragua route; 3, dis
grunted faulthnders; 4. nereenary.
In view of the above. please allow me- - say that
I believe the opening of a successful Panama Canal
will be the greatest possible step in advance for the
prosperity OF the whole Pacific Coast and for the
great commercial benefit Of the entire United States
Irrespective Of the stimulus TO European trade, with
its inevitable reflex action on us 1 have never be
leved the Nicaragua worth considering in
comparison with Panama.
Furthermore, I have never had the slightest oc-
casion TO be disgrunted since the canal construe-
ton undertaken by our government No rea-
sonable mortal call mercenary for suggest
Ing methods and machinery strongly tndorsed by
the best engineering talent and leaving the govern
ment free to make its terms with any OF the
various manufacturers capable of building the ma
chimes. If I must plead guilty to me-cenary motives
in urging level canal, 1t is because, In common
with so many others, have interests the Pacific
Coast whose value would be enhanced through the
traffic facilities of the canal urge my belief be-
cause agree with Professor William H Burr, that
when a steamer passes through the Panama Canal
1t must go through a sea level canal"
The question OF type decided for lock canal
against the level report of the majority of the
board Of consulting engineers, the recommends
ton OF the commission; however, Admiral Endi-
cott the only member of the commission with prac-
tcal experience of any value In the matter Of navi
cation, vigorously dissented. The lock type was
recommended solely for two reasons: l. Because
the commission believed IL would take twenty years
to construct sea level canal. theoretical ex-
cavation of 1.25o.O00 yards month was unat-
tainable in actual practice 2 because cost of ex
cavaton q yard of 81 so estimated for rock
below water level.
greater blunder was never>commItted than this
recommendation. Our splendid army organization
is, now that the red tape of absentee commits
sion no longer exists shred the patience of the
executives, excavating monthly average OF more
than 100000 cubic yards That this rate is sus-
ceptibe of great increase even without night work,
of which, after fifteen years In the tropics,
strong advocate. is shown by the fact that the
greatest days shovel record on December IS
last. when 4.504 were loaded in the central
division by fifty shovels. q total Of 70,OS cubic
yards for this equipment alone.
This present average rate OF excavation. without
any increase, without night work or without
utilizing any except present methods and machines.
would permit the completion of a sea level canal
within six years with a minimum. bottom width OF
800 feet or width sufficient eliminate the last
theoretical obstacle on behalf OF the most ardent
advocate Of the lock system, in exactly the same
time that iL is hoped to hnsh the lock canal.
According to the report OF Section 2. Harbors,
ence of the Institution of Civil Engineers, at Lon
3 don II was shown that subaqueous rock can be
excavated by the present impact method for less
than 80 cents a cubic yard, or less than one-ffth
the amount estimated by the advocates Of the Pan
anna lock type Please note that at this conference
much of the data was given by Hunter. Quenennec
and Bunau-V Varilla, al eminent advocates Of
Panama sea level canal Very few American en-
gineers are familiar with modern European impact
methods Of submarine rock excavation, but among
the few who have had personal experience and
made a study OF costs are Parsons, Wood and Ger
rish all sea level men.
The engineers whose advice Vas followed at Pan
anna are among the most eminent in the world in
their especial lines, but time and results have
proved them unqualified TO pass on the Panama sit
ustion The change is inevitable. To-day it can be
made with no loss OF time and but little loss OF
work done and greater cost The voice ot
railroad and dam engineers should not prevali
against the unanimous vote OF the best European
canal engineers and the cost records of their Work
against the unanimous vote OF tP' Masters ana
pilots, Association; against the unanimous voice OF
the shipping interests; against the opinion OF a
large number of American engineers competent 10
pass Judgment, and against the indlsputaDle logic
of facts as developed the sthmus under the able
,,snapern4nt Of the United States army The Pan
anna Canal must be at sea level
HENRY G. GRANGER. Mem. A. / NJ Z.
New York Jan. Z, 1903.