New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-11-16
BIG CANAL READY 1918.
President Taft Told 1t Will Be
Complete in Three Years.
FORMAL OPENING 1915
Meantime Vessels May Use Pan
ANA Waterway at Their
Own Risk.

Panama. Nov. 15.-The Panama Canal
will be completed on December l, 1913 This
information given to President Tart
to-day while he was inspecting the famous
Gatun Dam on which he spent several
hours
The official date of the opening remains
January /. 1915 Lieutenant Colonel Goethals
desiring one year in which to train the
canal tenders and get the machinery work
ing smoothly. Ships in the meantime VIII
be granted the privilege of the canal. but
at their own risk of delays incident to in
experienced operation.
In addition. it was announced by Lieuten-
ant Colonel Goethals that the report that
President Taft's visit was the forerunner
Of request for another S100.0oO000 from
Congress was unfounded. The canal will
be completed in 1913, he said, within the
s375.000.000 already authorized.
The President was tremendously pleased
at the outlook for the early completion OF
the great work and congratulated Colonei
Goethals He expressed anazement at the
amount of work accomplished since MS
visit to the Isthmus in February. 1903. lie
displayed a knowledge of the technical de-
tails Of the canal that surprised and de-
lighted the officials, his familiarity DAT
ing back to the time he was Secretary OF
War, when he advocated a lock canal as
against a sea level system. He was sur
prised, however, at the immensely of the
dam. some idea of which can be gained
from the fact that the special train was
under way nearly three hours on the spur
tracks overrunning the great fill. The Pres
ident exclaimed:
This is a mountain, not dam.
IT, hoe -a,-fyy
dispened any fears gained from sensa-
tionalists respecting the stability of the
dam base, which is half a mile wide and
SO gradually sloped that 1t could never be
recognized as a dam.
Colonel Goethals explained TO the Presi-
dent that the informal opening of the canal
in 1913 necessftates immediate action on
the part of Congress relative to toll rates,
because eighteen months will be required
by shipping interest to adjust their rates
to the new routing
The President expressed himself as
pleased TO find the efficiency of the canal
workers increasing daily. The canal Is be-
ginning to take the form Of a Waterway,
and this accelerates the interest OF the
employees, thus Fastening completion.
Colonel Goethals is not officially promising
that the canal viii be completed in 1913, lest
contractors delays and trouble with sup
plies may interfere. but he is sanguine Of
accomplishing the great feat. Regarding
IandsIides in Culebra cut all the pOsslbtii-
ties of their recurrence have been estimated
and provided for.
The President also rode over the relocat-
ed railroad and ended the day elltel TO see
the wonderful project so near TO compile
ton. He declared that it was impossible tor
any one to realize what is being acl|In-
plished here without seeing it.
The President briefly addressed me Amer
leans engaged in the canal work at recep-
ton under the auspices of the Young Mems
Christian Association and the Red Cross
this evening. Tomorrow he will inspect
Culebra cut and in the evening will dine
with President Arosemena, this beng MADE
the occasion of a state function. on tire
homeward trip the President will go ashore
al the proposed naval base at Guantanamo
for a few hours on Saturday afte-no