The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-14
WORK IS RUSHED
Canal Construction Bears Out
Col. Cocktails Statement.
Pier Construction Shows How
Money Is Spent.
SCHOOLS ARE GOOD
American Teachers Get Pleasing
Results on Isthmus.
Swamps Turned Into Cities
of First Glass.

Colon. Panama, Oct. 14.-Magnifi-
cent is the word which might f1ttingly
describe the progress made on the
construction of the Panama Canal
The statement of Colonel George w.
Goethals, Chief Engineer Of the Canal,
that the Canal would be finished in
September, 1913. or over one year De
fore 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
Miro flores. Pedro Miguel and Gatum,
and the surprising way the Culebra
cut is advanced has convinced the
most incredulouj that Colonel Goe-
that's estimate of completion in 1913
will be borne out
The point which seems to offer the
greatest difficulties throughout the
whole Canal is the cut in the Culebra
Hills and this, not on account OF engi-
neerfng pr olems, but because of the
many slides occurring from the loose
earth These slides confuse estimates
as to the number of cubic yards to be
ultimately excavated. 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.
TrestIe Over the Ocean.
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 attention will first be
directed to the long trestle already
stretching Stewards for over one and
half miles in northeast direction
from Toro Lighthouse Point across the
harbor. All along this trestIe rock and
stones are being dumped to form a
reakwater whose ultimate length
from shore will be about two miles.
The estima ed cost of this breakwater
is five and a half million dollars. 1t is
being built to reduce to a minimum
the silt that may be washed into the
channel Of the Canal, and also to pro-
tect the inner basin of the harbor,
which leads to the entrance of the
Canal, from the northerly gales which
usually obtain here from October to
January and which not infrequently
do much damage to the shipping and
coastline.
The eye following the coastline will
soon be attracted towards the massive
piers which, begun about three months
ago and to cost ultimately several mil
lion dollars, already stretch out for
nearly half a mile into the harbor from
CristobaI Point.
Large ROomy Piers.
These piers will be roomy enough to
permit several large liners to dock
simultaneously. Powerful tugs, each
towing large barges laden with sand
and rock for the locks from Porto
Bello (some twenty miles from Colon
along the Eastern coast and now a
fairly large American settlement), may
possibly be in sight on their way
through the Canal to Gatun, seven
miles distant from Colon. If the above
bespeaks activity around Colon Har-
Dor the activity will be seen to be
greater when Gatum is reached. It is
here the Canal ceases to be sea level
and reaches the three giant locks
which will lift all ships eighty-five feet
and enable them to pass into the
Gatum Lake. artihcially formed by a
monster dam which impounds the
waters of the River Chagres and its
tributaries.
The steam shovels, of which there
are several types and sizes. are eating
away the dirt from the mountain
slopes or digging deep down into the