The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-18
TAFTSTARTSBACK
The President Sails From Colon
on the Charleston.
Says Progress Made on the Work
Is Remarkable.

Colon, Nov. 1S.-President Taft sailed
for Charleston at 6 o'clock last evening
aboard the armored cruiser Tennessee,
which was conveyed by the Montana,
after four interesting days on the is
thmus. Before leaving, the president
said:
This is the fifth time I have visited
the iSthmus and 1 have gone over the
whole line and looked into every part
of the Improvement. 1t is about p
months since I was last here and in
that time the progress made has been
most satisfactory. Indeed, it is remark
able.
1.-The first thing that strikes one is
the fact that work is being done ap-
parently on every foot of the so miles
of the canal, and done under an or
ganization of men, plans and materials
that operates as economically and eff
fectively as if it were machine with
Goethals in control of lever which
sets and keeps the whole machine in
operation.
when I was here % months ago the
main question was the confirmation of
the judgment of congress in having
adopted a lock type canal instead of a
sea level The extent to which Gatun
dam and the locks have been compile
ted has removed from every impartial
observer the slightest doubt of the wis
dom of the decision made and the feast
bility of the plan adopted. This con-
clusion is further confirmed and clinch-
ed by the difficulty occasioned by slides
in Culebra cut, which for a canal of
an IS foot level necessitated only an ad-
ditional excavation that could readily
be taken care of. Any attempt, how
ever, to sink a canal in Culebra to
depth so feet below the present pro-
posed level would lengthen the time OF
construction, weary the patience of the
Americans; make the cost almost pro-
hibitory and leave it an exceedingly
doubtful question whether with the diff
tod
such canal would be possible at all
''Tne Gatun dam lock with the lake
already Is feet and slowly rising to
level of IS feet, which will constitute
the key to the whole plan of the canal
is SO far advanced that, taken with
Culebra cut and the locks on the Pa
cific side, a definite picture is given of
what the canal is to be. which inspires
one with eagerness for its completion.
CuIebra LandsIides.
THE landsIides in Culebra can be cas-
lily removed, the further excavation and
the widening Of the slope where they
occur merely adding something to the
amount of excavation previously calcu-
lated upon, and to the cost out the
percentage of both time and cost will
be very small, not enough to increase
the estimates for the completed canal.
The work is so far advanced that the
time has come for the discussion of
plans for the management and main
1enance OF the canal. Tor the govern
ment at Panama is peacefully pursuing
its course and enjoying prosperity and
political calm in the republic. The auth
critics in charge manifest every dis
position to assist the United States in
construction of the canal and to con-
form to every detail of the obligations
imposed by the treaty"
on the eve of President Taft's de
parture 100 boiIermakers, dissatisfied
that after hearing their complaints the
president would give no immediate an
swer to their demands, gave five days
notice of quitting their work and sail
ing for home. Several of the unions
OF macnInists and blacksmiths are
threatening similar action.
1t is not proposed to strike. but sim
ply to resign and leave the isthmus
Only hourly employees, constituting 2E
per cent of the force, are likely to be
affected. The canal officials are indig-
nant at these employees for trying tc
force their demands, which the Off
cials regard as unreasonable.
President Taft promised to consider
the matter fully and cable his answer
from Charleston. but this did not sat
isfy some of the hot headed among the
boiIermakers. The canal commission
issued a statement, which in part is as
follows:
I'm the last year several petitions
asking for an increase in pay were
presented by the American cana
workers, who are paid hourly and who
number 1900. about % per cent O.
the entire American force The com
mission. after full consideration, de
cltned to grant the increases, not con