New-York tribune., 1909-03-28
LOCK CANAL DEFENDED
GOETHALS TELLS PLANS.
Reason for Dropping Scheme Of Sea
LeueL WaterlCdg.

Colonel George W Goethals. chairman Of the
Isthmian Canal Commission and chief engineer OF
the work. who started for the isthmus on the
steamer Advance yesterday afternoon. spent near
" three hours In the morning with the Panama
Canal committee of the Chamber Of Commerce
With the aid of large map showing the work.
Colonel Goethals explained the plans that are be-
ing carried for a lock canal and gave his
reasons for believing that to be the more de-
srahle type of construction, all things considered
The committee appointed TO make study,
from the point of view of the worlds shipping Of
the problems involved in the construction or the
canal. and to report 10 the Chamber Of Commerce
what, in its opinion should be done. engineering
and financial considerations permitting, to make
the canal best subserve the needs Cor all time TO
come of constantly expanding international COM
merce"
All the members of the committee present
yesterday including John r. Dunlap, chairman:
A P. Boiler W L. Saunders, j. ". Miller. c. A
Pugsley. Guilo sorsano and John D. Crin1mtns.
Two weeks ago they had heard William Barclay
Parsons give his for advocating sea level
canal. and were prined with questions to ask colo
mel Goethais. It is said that the members Of the
committee hold opposite views individually re-
garding the best type Of construction at Panama,
but all are open to conviction.
Colonel Goethals told the committee that origi-s
nslly he had been sea level advocate himself.
but after going over the work carefully had be
come convert to the lock type.
II am not only convert, but pretty much Of a
partisan, said the engineer. 1T has been stated
that as a military obliged TO carry out
any propositiop-that is put up TO me. I want 10
correct this idea. II I did not believe could
work at Panama along the lines projected. would
not hesitate TO let the authorities know H.
I was not consulted in any way about the
plans. and am carrying out those decided IN
advance of my connection with the work, but
am I'm thorough accord with the plans. Absolutely
nothing has developed IN any way TO throw dis
credit on the work II is being carried out
When went 10 the isthmus my preference was
for sea level canal. 7 had not been able 10 study
the proposition carefully. but had read much about
IT, I had talked good deal with General G. W
Davis. Z. S. A Cretired). and Colonel Black both
Of whom thought favoraby of a level canal
After having been the isthmus through a
rainy season. I concluded that sea level canal.
particularly ot the size then proposed. was a
practical proposition and that the lock plans would
give much more satisfactory results
Asked regarding the advantages Of the lock
the level canal Colonel Gcethals replied.
IN substance:
1T be built for less money. IN = shorter
time and will permit freer and easier navigation.
II will make friend Of the ChagTes River. which
would be a constant menace 10 a sea level canal
lock canal gives easier navigation oy reason OF
its wider channels and fewer and easier curves
The only disadvantage the locks and.
understand IT, the opponents Of the lock canal
concentrating their arguments against this point
Regarding the working Of the locks. the colonel
said:
They are to he built to take in ships
thousand feet long. with width Of hundred
and ten feet Ships will not be allowed 10 enter
under their steam. but will be taken in much
barges in tbs Erie Canal The locks will
be no impediment TO navigation and will not offer
much danger 10 ships would the narrow
channels OF sea level canal"
member OF the committee asked IL II were not
true that accidents had occurred In the 500
and Manchester canals. and Colonel Goethals
piled:
In nfty-four years Of operation there has not
been a serious accident TO the 500 locks There
accident on the Manchester Canal, but IL
due to the fact that the men IN the engine
room did not obey the signals.
1T Is our intention 10 have ships IN the Panama
Canal tie up to a pier. which will project through
the central part OF the lock. They will he cared
for by electrical contrivances, such in
small scale by the freight floats OF several
railroads"
Colonel Goethals did not talk of his conference
with President Taft the canal Friday He was
emphatic in saying. however. that IL would be I'M
possible to complete the work before 1915. although
the President would like 10 have 1t done two
earlier.