Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-01-11
.HEYBURN'S TRIP
TO THE CANAL
WORK SHOWS SYSTEMATIC AND
EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT
OF ENTERPRISE.
Idaho senator Believes Purchase Was
Worth Amount Invested.


WASHINGTON, D. G., Jan. IL
Senator Hepburn Of Idaho, who Wis
tied the isthmus Of Panama during
The Christmas holidays, in company
with party OF western senator's, is
very enthusiastic over the manner in
which work Is progressing on the ca
nal. Discussing his trip and obser-
va'ions while at Panama, Senator
Hepburn said:
Il accompanied a delegation of
senator's to the Panama canal for the
purpose Of coming in direct contact
with the working men in charge Of it
as basis for estimating the project
from the various standpoints in
which it is presented from session to
session. There are so many conflict
ing statements in regard to the en-
cheering, geological and labor prob
lens that we felt that personal visit
to the canal would enable us in
great measure to determine the
weight to be given to these state
ments.
I'VE landed at Colon and were met
by the government officials in charge
Df the work. We were taken over
every part of the project and were
given ap opportunity to understand
in all of its details. The bugbear
B. the Chagras river which has been
ep up to us from time to time, was
speedily dissipated upon the ground.
rhe ehagras river win strike against
great cushion of water In the great
AXE to be formed behind the Gatum
lam so vast in extent that the effect
pf the entry of the Chagras river will
bot be diseernible.
Il was much impress by the evil
lenee of values which we received
through our purchase from the
French government. The engines
which were used by the French COM
pany upon the canal are apparently
quite as efficient and durable as our
pwn. The same may be said of
redges and pumps. While there is a
asst amount of useless machinery ly-
ng around. yet that which we have
been able to use taken In connection
With the yardage excayated BIZ the
french company, represents a sum
lastly in excess of what we paid
hem.
Work ON Canal.
The work is under the direct
harge of engineers of the United
States army with Colonel Goethais al
he head. No one can doubt, after
aeeting Colonel Goethals and going
Fer the work with him as we did,
aat he is absolutely master of the sit
alton and that the highest degree
efficiency and economy in such a
asst work has been attained by him
ne division engineers working un.
er him are men of the highest at.
ainment in their profession. We
ame in contact with them through
u OF the work and we left thorough.
convinced that the work would BIZ
ompleted within the time fixed BY
oionel Goethals. We were constant
astonished at the large amount
work actually completed. We saw
asst cement locks. the floors and
lach of the walls and barriers Of
hieh were completed. The rock ant
4fth in the Culebra cut Is moving
Ae magic. With the largest and
Aost powerful steam shovels In tbs
ord graphing with the rock and
fading 40 cars in IL minutes pre-
en's class of eficiency which hai
ever been attained In the world
: story. Great lines of drilling ma
Hines working on the bank abov'
I'd under the bank below, fired Will
mantle with the regularity Of :
.oek beat, furnish material 70
aese trains to haul away-some Il
e ocean to build the breakwate
----------------=-----------