The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-16
PUT 0. K. ON CANAL.
Large Body of Engineers Return After
inspecting the Work.

New York, Nov. 16.-Approval of
the way in which the Panama canal is
belng constructed is given by more
than 100 members of the American
institute of Mining Engineers, who
have returned to New York from the
canal zone The institute chartered
steamer for the trip, which occupied
twenty-five days OF the 12O members
who Inspected the canal, almost all of
them signed a report which was given
out on their return
THE present plan of the work is
clearly practicable" says the report,
and the best, in our judgment, that
could be devised under conditions i'm
To Be Completed in 1913.
Panama, Nov 16-The Panama
canal will be completed December 1,
1918. This information was given to
President Taft while he was inspect
ing the famous Gatun dam. The Off
c1aI date of the opening remains Janu-
airy L, 1915, Lieutenant Colonel Goe-
thals desiring one year in which to
train the canal tenders and to get the
machinery working smoothly. Ships
meantime viii be granted the privilege
of the canal. but at their own risk of
delay.
In addition, it was announced by the
colonel that the report that President
Taft's visit was the forerunner of a re-
quest for another $1OO,0O0,00O from
will be completed in 1913, he said, with
the 1915. 100000 already authorized
The president was pleased at the
| outlook for the early completion and
| congratulated Colonel Goethals. He
| expressed amazement at the work ac-
complished since his visit in February,
| 1909. He displayed knowledge of
the technical details that surprised the
officials. his familiarity dating back to
the time he was secretary of war,
1 WI a n a
against a sea level system. He was
greatly surprised at the immensely of
the dam. some idea of which can be
gained from the fact that the train
was under way nearly three hours on
| the spur tracks overrunning the great
| fill
The visit of President Taft has utter
| ly dispelled any fears gained from sem
satiohalists respecting the stability of
| the dam base which is half a mile
wide and so gradually sloped that it
could never be recognized as a dam.
Colonel Goethals explained that in
! formal opening of the canal in 1913
necessitated immediate action on the
part of congress relative to toll rates,
because eighteen months will be re-
| quired by shipping interests to adjust
| their rates to the new routing.
| The president expressed himself as
delighted to find the efficiency OF the
| workers increasing daily. The canal
/ is beginning to take the form of a
waterway and this acceIerates the in
terest of the employees thus hasten
ing completion. Colonel Goethals is not
officially promising that the canal will
be completed in 1913, lest contractors
delays and trouble with supplies inter-
fere. but he is sanguine of accomplish
ing the feat. Regarding landslides in
CuIebra cut, all the possibilities of
| their recurrence have been estimated
and provided for.
| The president also rode over the re-
located railroad. He briefly addressed
the Americans engaged in the canal
work at a reception given under the
auspices of the Young Mems Christian
association and the Red Cross.
On the HON reward trip the president
will go ashore at the proposed naval
base at Guantanamo for a few hours
Saturday afternoon.