Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-15
Great Progress Being Made on
Famous Waterway.
COMPLETION is IN SIGHT
Probably Will Be Finished, as Pre-
dieted, in September, 1918.
LIVING OF THE EMPLOYEES
Government Has Built Homes and
Supplied Families With All
Necessary Comforts.

COLON, Panama. October 14.-Magnifi-
cent is the word which might fittingly de-
scribe the progress made on the construc-
ton of the Panama canal The state
ment of Col. George w. Goethals, chief
engineer of the canal, that the canal
would be finished in September, 1913 or
over one year before the date previously
announced for its inauguration. was at
first received with some hesitation. Now,
however, an examination of the colossal
work that is being rushed to completion
in Mirafiores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun.
and tn surprising way the Culebra cut
IL advanced has convinced the most in
credulous that Col. Cocktails estimate of
completion in 1913 will be borne out
The point which seems to offer the great
est difficulties throughout the whole canal
is the cut in the Culebra hill. and this,
not on account of engineering problems,
but because of the many slides occurring
from the loose earth These slides con-
fuse estimates as to the number of cubic
yards to be ultimately exc awaited. The
engineers. however. in charge of the work
are confident that these difficulties are by
no means inSuperable and will in no way
retard the date set for opening the canal.
Even before disembarking the stranger
to the isthmus on arriving at Colon, the
Atlantic terminus of the canal, will be
struck by the unusual activity visible in
every direction in the harbor. His atten-
ton will first be directed to the long tres
tie already stretching seward for over
one and half miles in northeast direc-
ton from Toro lighthouse point across
the harbor. All along this trestle rock
and stones are being dumped to form a
breakwater whose ultimate length from
shore will be about two miles. The esti-
mated cost of this breakwater is five and
half million dollars 1t is being built to
reduce to a minimum the silt that may
n he q canal.
and also to protect the inner basin of the
harbor. which leads to the entrance to
the canal. from the northery gales which
usually obtain here from October to Janu-
AIRY.
Big Piers Being Built.
The eye following the coast line will
soon be attracted toward the massive
piers These piers will be roomy enough
to permit several large liners to dock
simultaneously. The activity will be seen
to be greater when Gatun is reached. 1t
is here the canal ceases to be sea level
and reaches the three giant locks which
will lift all ships eighty five feet and en-
able them to pass into the Gatun lake,
artihcially formed by monster dam
which impounds the waters of the River
Chagres and it's tributaries.
The steam shoyels, of which there are
several types and s yes, are eating away
the dirt from the mountain slopes or dig
glQg deep down INTO the edrtn WITH
regularity that suggests the swing of
pendulum or the beat of pulse. Large
buckets filled with concrete are passing
noiselessly overhead along the steel
cables and depositing their contents at
the des red spot.
What applies to Gatun applies also to
the other various sections along the
canal all tending to convince the OBJ
server that the possibility of opening the
canal before the date officially fixed is no
empty boast
What the sanitary department of the
canal commission has accomplished in
cleansing the Canal Zone of yellow fever
and other disease is well known. The
progressive wonders that have been at
tanned in housing. feeding and provid ng
amusement and instruction to the army
or 1900 workmen Is less well known.
Homes for Employees.
Throughout the whole length of the
canal clean. comfortable houses have
been built for the married employees and
their families.t Eighteen Big hotels were
also erected for the bachelors, besides
numerous barracks, messes and kitchens
for the laborers. In these buildings there
are under the commissions care not
fewer than G3.000 people.
The white canal and railroad employees
are furnished with free houses, ectriI
light. coal and water, and ali labcrers
and employees have commissary rights
&hlch enable them TO purchase In the
government stores at practically cost
prices clothes. food and other necessar es
which permits them to live well and in
extensively and save cOnsidera BILE part
of their salaries.
The public schools of the Zone are very
good. The teachers are American and
native. The gardens esta blished in many
of them have been such success that
the Panama government is adopting the
same method in its provincial schools.
Under the management of the Y NJ
c. A there are clubheuses in the princi-
pal Zone towns wherein employees after
hard days toll. may go in reading and
billiard rooms. tennis courts bowling al
leys or gymnasiums.
What ultimate economic effect the COM
pletiOn of the canal will have on the re-
public of Panama is discussed here from
Inherent standpoints, and it is general Y
believed that greater prosperity is in store
for the republic il developments, along
the line Of agriculture, mining and man
ufactures, are seriously studied