Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-02-18

navigation. and hence would be pIb-
lie misfortune.
We do finl". they say, in detailed
designs that have been adopted. or
tina: are under consideration, some
matters where other arrangements
than those now considered seem OF
study AS these proposed changes ar"
of a tentative nature and do not in
any case effect the main questions
herein discussed they are not taken
up in this report
Slip Of No Consequence.
In regard to the slips which have
occurred at several times. they assert
tat they are" of no Serious conSe-
quence. either in the practical execn-
ton of the work or in the ultimat"
stability of the structures.
Having considered the proper height
for the crest of the Gatnm dam. they
concluded that lit could be safely re-
duced twenty feet from that originally
proposed: namely to an elevation OF
rs feet above sea level. or thirty
feet above the normal level OF tn"
water against the dam"
This change they say. will facili-
tdtS tIlt WI n vi Sohs'i uN'ANh o'N $3.50
reduce somewhat the cost OF the pro-
posed work
Another change. the: of increasing
the minimum width of the bottom oil
the canal for about A. miles in the
Culebra Cut. they estimate will IN
crease the cost CT the work by aiDut
$l3 1000 900. but they say it will MOI
Helay the completion of the canal.
that it will permit ships to pass one
another in this portion of the canal
and will otherwise facilitate naviga-
ton. If slides occur after the COM
pletiop OF the canal. they say, the
wider canal is not a. likely to De
blocked as narrower one. TheE
approve the change in the proposed
location of the breakwater at the At
lantc end of the canal.
Their estimate of the complete cost
of he canal is $3.50 100000. They say
il is incorrect to state that the Orisl-
nal estimate of cost was $l4"."",-
900. as this dill not include sanitation
and zone government They estimate
the expenses of sanitation and zone
government at $4,000. 600. while pay
ments to the Republic of aPnama ana
to the New Panama Cana! co:
amounts to s50.000.000. which would
make the difference etween the pres
ent estimate and the previous es l.
mate. with cos. of sanitation and zone
government and peymcntS added only
$I4s. 600 600 of this amount. they
saw nearly one-half can be accounted
for nv the changes in the canal and
appurtenant works already referred TO
and the remainder is to be attributed
mainly to the higher unit cost OF the
different Items Of the work.
, Much Done for Employees.
Communication is expressed at the
present condition Of the work and the
engineers voice the belief that in
no other great construction work has
as much been done for employees
in the way of furnishing necessities.
comforts and Juxuries Of life at che cost
Of the work as has been done in th's
work. This is one reason Tor the
high cost of the canal.
We see no reason" they add. why
the canal shoulL not he completed. as
estimated nv the Chief Engineer. bf
January I 1915: in fact it seems that
a somewhat earlier completion is proc
able If all goes well.
Replying to the criticism that the
canal region is liable TO earthquake
shocks and that sea-levei cana'
would be less subject to injury bS
earthquakes than lock canal. they
asscr, that dams aud locks are struc.
lures Of great stability and little sun
ice, to damage by earthquake shocks
hut that even IL they could regard
earthquakes as source OF serious
damage to any type Of canal on the
1sthmus. their effect upon the dams.
locks and regulating works proposed
for the sea-IeveI canal would he much
TN. same as upon similar structures
Of the lock canal.
The engineers who composed inc
hoard are Frederic r. Stesrncs. James
H. SCHUYLER. Arthur r. Davis. lsham
Randolph. Henry u. Allen. John Il
Freeman and Allen Hasen.