The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-09
Canal Zone nique

sition among the outlying possessions of the United States, and on this account requires special treatment. The construc- ton of the canal is the original pur- pose for which 1t was obtained, and to this purpose everything within the zone is made subordinate. in the same way, after it's completion everything must be subordinated to the operation of the ca nal. Assuming that the canal is being built for thes benefit of the commerce. Of the world, it nevertheless Is a mili- tary asset to the United States and con , ditions may arise in which the military necessities of the nation will become par amount. It is essential, therefore, that an entity should be established or created and so organized that any contingency can be promptly met as soon as 1t arises. In other words, while during certain pe- riods the operation of the canal is for commercial purposes, entirely separate and distinct from the military, there are times when the military necessities must predominate.
 ITO avoid any possibility of accident which might render the canal useless, the authorities should assume charge of all vessels during their transit of the locks: under such conditions any dam age that may result to the vessels should be assumed by the government, and legislation looking to this end is heces- sary.
 
 e pages, gave a detailed account of the work done on the canal during the year and plans for operation of it when com pleted.
 During the year the general plans of all the locks were practically com- pleted," the committee reported, "and such detailed drawing as were re- quired by the field forces were pre- pared and issued.
 Study has been given to the elec- trical system which will be used for the operation of the c~nal after com p1etion. This contemplates a hydro electric station on the Ciatun dam with a reserve generating station at Mire- flores to be operated by steam. The two stationsfare to be connected by a trans mission line and current from either or both can be used for any of the operations of the canal. Specifications for the equipment of the hydro electric plant are ready for issue.
 "The scheme for lighting the canal has been prepared and adopted. It con- templates the use of range lights for establishing the direction on the long CT tangents and of side lights spaced about g mile apart to mark each side of the channel. The sailing lines marked by the range lights, except at the entrances to the canal, will be so placed that all ships will follow | course 125 feet to their starboard of tho axis of the canal; thus two passing ships, If on their ranges, will have their center line 250 feet apart
 -The increase In the number of ships touching at the ports on either side l of the isthmus has made it necessary to extend. the existing docking fac!l- lties As the act of June 20, 1902, con- tenplates the construction of term inais for the canal, any addition tn the docks should be such as to form Q part of the final scheme, which should also include coaling facilities and q dry dock as necessary adjuncts to the canal. A board was appointed on April 21, 1911, to consider and report on the facilities that will be necessary in pleted canal. so that after the general ceOhe and characteristics of these fa- ciiitles have been adopted such work as may be needed may be undertaken These facilities were to include th. ,, sfortng and furnishing of coal and other fuel for use both afloat and ashore; the furnishing of fresh water to shipping; the furnishing of adequate and convenient facilities for the repair Of all vessels. as well as of all rolling etock, equipment and machinery ashore and the question of storehouses and storing of material and supplies on the fothmus tother than fueD for all otr- or purposes after the completion of the canal.
 tAs'A comprehensive scheme was outlined il view of the construction at the Pa < cfffc Terminus of a dry dock, the perna- < nent shops, and st0rehouse for supplies,