The sun., 1909-02-18
IT'S TO Be A LOCK CANAL
THE TAFT ENGINEERS FAVOR
THAT PLAN.
they Say That Change 10 Sea Level Would
Greatly Add TO the Cost and Tine
OF Construction without COmpensat.
inE Advantages -Gatun Dam safe.

OF Construction without COmpensat.
Ing Advantages -Gatun Dam safe.
WASHING oToy. Feb. President Roose-
welt sent a special message on the Panama
Canal to Congress to-day. Accompany
ing the message was the report made by
the seven engineers who went with MIR.
Taft to the Isthmus.
The President says that the report
determines definitely the type OF canal
and shows that II would be "a n inex cusab BILE
folly to change from a lock to sea level
type. The engineers find that "a change
TO sea level plan at the present time
would add greatly to the cost and time
OF construction without compensating
advantages either in capacity Of the
canal or safety Of navigation. and hence
would be public misfortune. In con-
cluson the President says:
Every American citizen should feel
not merely qualification but very keen
sense OF pride in the statement made by
this distinguished body OF engineers as
to the way in which the work has been
done and in which it is now proceeding.
The American people are to be heartily
congratulated on everything OF importance
that has been done in connection with the
building Of the Panama Canal
The engineers say that under instruc-
tions from Mr.. Taft they gave particular
attention to the Gatun Dam or this
feature Of the work they say:
We are satisfied both from the records
OF the experiments that have been made
and from our own personal examination
OF the materials as seen in cuts now opened,
and as disclosed by samples from the test
borings, that there will be no dangerous
or Objectionable seepaRe through the ma
terials under the base Of the dam. nor are
they liable to be pushed aside by the weight
Of the proposed dam SO as to cause danger
Gus settlement
We are also satisfied that the materials
available and which 1t is proposed to use
are suitable and can be readily placed to
form a tight. stable and permanent dam.
The type OF dam now under construction
is one which meets with our unanimous
approval.
The design upon which the work Ia now
being prosecuted abundantly fulfs the
required degree OF stability and goes far
beyond the limits OF what We regarded
as SUFFICIENT and safe in any less important
structure.
- u
during construction materials have been
piled up on slopes much sleeper than those
contemplated In the finished work. Gen.
orally the materials so placed have remained
In position, but in some cases slips have
occurred. The occurrence OF these slips
Is of no serious consequence either in
the practical execution of the work or in
the ultimate stability OF the structures.
The engineers recommend that the
height of the dam be lessened by 20 feet,
80 that the top will be 30 instead Of so
feet above the water line. They say
too that the proposed sheet piling'
under the base OF the dam may be safely
left out. They conclude finally:
full study. OF all the dats at hand
and Of the materials and OF the plans
that are proposed with the above modih-
cations leaves no doubt in our minds as
TO the safe. tight and durable character
Of the Gatun Dam
The engineers gave particular atten-
ton also TO changes that have been made
in the plans Of the minority Of the board
Of consulting engineers OF 1905 since the
adoption Of the project. the purpose being
apparently to explain the large increase
In the estimated cost Of the canal.
The change In position Of the Pacific
locks. they say. will result In an increase
in cost Of $4,000 900. although 1t will
later effect saving on the Notifications.
The widening OF four and half miles Of
Culebra out from 200 to 800 feet means
an increase Of SIS. s.eco. 900. Changes in
the size OF the locks. in the break waters
and In the relocation Of the Panama
Railroad have resulted In further increases
not contemplated in the original estimate.
The engineers say that there is false
impression that the estimate Of 1905 was
d co. 000. .000. That did not include the cost
Of sanitation and OF the Zone Gov vernment
or the payments to Panama and the French
company. Adding the present esti-
mate Of t27. 900 900 for sanitation and the
Zone Gov vernment and $50 900 600 paid to
Panama and the new Panama Canal Com
pany. the engineers bring the 1905 esti-
mate up TO t2i7 900 900. That make % the
present canal estimate exceed the one
Of 1905 by slts.OO0. 900. They say the lock
canal completed will cost $500 .o0o, 600 re-
gardless Of salvage on the construction
plant and that II will be finished by June 4,
1915.
The engineers do not regard the danger