Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06
THE PANAMA CANAL,

At the instance of Col. Goethals, the
army engineer officer in charge of the
work on the Panama canal, I have just
made visit to the isthmus to inspect the
work done and to consult with him on the
ground as to certain problems which are
likely to arise in the near future. The
progress of the work is most satisfactory.
II no unexpected obstacle presents itself,
the canal will be completed we'll within
the time fixed by Col. Goethals. to wit,
January 1. 1918, and within the estimate
Of cost, 1876. 100000.
Press reports have reached the United
States from time to time giving accounts
Of slides Of earth of very large yardagc
the line. from which 1t might be inferred
that the work has been much retarded
and that the time Of completion has been
necessarily postponed.
The report of DR.. dayes of the geological
survey, whom I sent within the last
month to the isthmus to make an inves-
tigation, shows that this section Of the
Canal Zone is composed of sedimentary
rocks Of rather weak structure and sub
tect to almost immediate disintegration
when exposed to the air. Subsequent to
the deposition of these sediments, igneous
rocks, harder and more durable. have been
thrust into them, and being cold at the
TIME of their intrusion united but indif-
ferently with the sed!mentary rock at the
contacts.
No Cause for Delay.
The result of these conditions is that as
the cut is deepened. causing unbalanced
pressures. slides from the sides Of the cut
have occurred. These are in part due to
the flowing Of surface soil and decomposed
sedimentary rocks upon inclined surfaces
nl~vSs, 4
In part by the crushing of structurally
weak beds under excessive pressure.
These slides occur on one side or the
other Of the cut through distance of four
or five miles. and now that their character
is understood. allowance has been made
In the calculations Of yardage for the
amount of slides which will have to be re-
moved and the greater slope that will
have to be given to the bank in many
places in order to prevent their recur-
renee Such allowance does not exceed
ten millions Of yards. Considering that
the number of yards removed from this
cut on an average of each month through
the year is 100000. and that the total
remaining to be ooe ex na including
that this addition to the excavation does
not offer any great reason for delay.
While this feature Of the material to be
excavated in the cut will not seriously de-
'ay or obstruct the construction Of
cavation due to such slides In the cut
made IS feet deeper for .sea-level canal
would certainly have been so great as to
delay it's completion to time beyond
the patience of the American people.
Fertilization Is Urged.
Among the questions arising for pres
ent solution is the decision whether the
canal shall be fortified. I have already
stated to the Congress that I strongly
favor fertilization and / now reiterate
this opinion and ask your consideration
Of the subject In the light Of the report
already before you made by a competent
board.
II, In our discretion, We believe mod
ern Notifications to be necessary to the
adequate protection and policing Of the
canal, then 1t 10 our duty to construct
them We have built the canal. 1t is our
property. BY convention we have indicat-
ed our desire for. and indeed undertaken
It's universal and equal use. 1t is also
well known that one OF the chief objects
IN the construction OF the canal has been
to increase the military effectiveness Of
our navy.
E,oil,,ra IN fortIfv the % oo1 v.,o,,ia 1.o,,a