The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-04-25
SUNDAY. APRIL .. 1909.
Mr.. Taft Deals with Canal Critics.

President Taft delivers slashing
broadside at the Panama Canal critics
in the May number Of McClure's Maya
zine. His article is judicial in manner
and method. and displays a mastery Of
the subject. due to long familiarity with
the problems involved and personal ac-
ouaintance with the work Of construction.
Mr.. Taft is a strong advocate Of the lock
type Of canal on every ground He has
no doubt that the lock canal viii be su-
perior to the sea-leveI type. as well as
less expensive. He shows that a sea-
level canal. such as is now urged
BY those who are attacking the lock type,
would cost, in all probability. E7O0.0O0.Olo.
exclusive OF the original purchase price
o. the French rights. and OF the cost OF
sanitation and government. whereas the
lock type viii cost about 50, Oo0O99 Mr.
Taft explains the increase in the cost Of
the Icck canal over the first estimates
by saying that the actual amount OF ex-
cavation was underestimated. as was also
the unit cost Of the work. besides which
a number Of changes were made in the
work itself. the size Of both the locks
and the canal prism having been in
creased
One Of the allegations most frequently
seen in the attacks on the sea-leveI type
Is that the board of engineers lately
sent 10 the isthmus by President RooSe-
welt was packed in favor OF the lock type.
so that the nature Of their report, which
was favorable to the lock type. was a
foregone conclusion. This charge Nj
Taft declares to be utterly unjust" He
saws further
1t IS quite true thst two sentlsrDsn named had
expressed Their opinion in ftTor q lock type q
canal and had recommended the plan that was
sdoreed. but IT Is also true that hTe q the beard
had not 81 committed themselves and there was
rot The Slightest reason why. L they differed from
the other tEo they should not eIrcss their opinion
Two Of the old hoard were taken for the reason
that they were ecmpeteut eugnee-z che country
Afforded. and knew wei the grounds which the
sack type had been originally adopted L is en-
tirey pr0per. Whgn u Is claimed that judgment
should Be SCI aside on the ground q ncwy dis
coversd eTidence. that az least part Of the sane
court should Sit to hear what that new evidence
+ ard pass upon IFS weight With reference 20 the
Trsrious jui-reut The truth Is that the Judgment
Il this new board n engineers ought 20 remove all
doubt as tc the safety Of the Gatzn dam from the
minds q the interested public
Bearing on the same point IS the testi-
mony Of John r Freeman. a member OF
the board. who says in an article in the
MAY Outlook that Mr.. Taft's instructions
TO the board were 10 determine whether
any changes were necessary in the plans
OF the canal. and 10 take all the time
required TO reach sound conclusions. Mr..
Taft al the same tine stated that n any
change were found necessary, "the Presi-
dent and himself were both ready 10 face
the new issue" Mr.. Freeman adds that
every member Of the board was convinc-
ed. beyond the shadow or a doubt. Of the
feasibility and safety OF The Gatun dam
To the weight Of evidence for the safe
~ OF the Gatun dam project. NJ Free
man adds the significant fact that the
ground water level in the neighbOrhOOd
or the dam is everywhere higher than the
future level OF Gatun Lake. thus showing
that the percOlation OF water under the
dam. OF which so much is made by sea
level advocates. is a Pigment o. the mag
ination. Mr.. Taft goes over the famil-
lar facts concerning the GatUn dam site.
and concludes with the observation that
the administration viii proceed with the
work Of constructing the canal regardless
Of criticism, and that it will be completed
by January / 1sl5-which breathes the
true American spirit.