Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-30
"A Cruise. 70 Panama
rBy ). l. carnsy.1

icy ]. l.
March 3, 1913: Editor Times Repuo-
lican.--Today one-half Of our cruise II
completed, and we are again on the
broad sea, after having made Visit
the whole length Of the rapidly being
completed canal. which Ii looked for
ward to to revolutionize the commerce
of the world. We anchored In the har-
Dor at Colon in the early morning
alongside the dock. At only two of the
stops we have or with make 10 It pos
sible to get in close enough to shore
to leave the steamer on a dock. these
two places being Kingston and Colon
At other ports it has been necessary
to use the ships boats to land.
The passengers at once entered q
special train of the Panama railway
consisting Of six passenger cars and
a baggage car to make the trip to
Panama, stopping at various points to
inspect the work. Our first stop was
few miles from Colon, where we were
given an opportunity to see the great
locks at Catun, eighty-ive feet IN
heighth, the spillway and dam. These
locks are being rapidly completed and
the machinery that is designed to open
and close the great gates will soon ar
rive. This machinery is to be operated
by electric power to be supplied by
connection with the spillway. 1t was
an interesting sight to sec the $50 ex-
cursionists leaving the cars and pro-
cceding to the margin Of the locks.
where the work Of construction was
going on, workmen clinging to the
sides Of the gates. rewriting the steel
plates, and engaged in all their vari-
Gus labors. We were permitted. not
too many at a time, to enter upon and
cross rather frail bridge that con-
meets the two wings OF the locks. This
bridge is evidently used only for con-
struction purposes but standing upon
it we could look directly down and up
and along this wonderful portion OF
the work. whereby the vessels pro-
ceeding to the Pacific side may be
raised to the level Of the canal. or
coming from that direction may be
lowered to the sea level on the Colon
side. OF course the cameras were busy,
and many snap shots were taken.
Again entering the cars we proceeded
on our way. Quite force OF our table
waters from the steamer We're on
board the train and during the run
in the baggage car, We're served. Our
next stop of considerable length was
made at the deepest point Of the far
famed Culebra cut, that at first when
the project was under consideration.
seemed to present insuperable OBJ
stacles to the construction OF the cam
al. 1t IS eight miles long and 312 feet
deep. and as we stood on the highest
10 nIo np
messed the men in the chasm below,
the engines and trains Of cars crawl
ing along its benches, and the steam
shovels at the lowest part still digging
deeper. we had a slight conception OF
what digging the canal actually meant.
while giving all credit to the strong
men of our country who have taken
up the work. we can never forget the
Frenchmen with their leader. De Les
seps, who first conceived the purpose
Of piercing the dense growth OF tropt-
cal vegetation which covers the 18th
mus. with a canal thru which might
be transported sea going vessels. The
tiny engines and machinery now rust
ing by the way side where It was
left when financial disaster overlook
the scheme. only emphasize the fact
means Of conducting such
an enterprise had not been invented.
and what was OF more Importance,
they had not the scientific knowledge
to combat diseases and death. Tor II
they had, the French cemetery on
Monkey Hill at Colon would not have
had such sad and mournful story to
tell, with its $4,000 graves OF men,
women and children. who had lett
their beloved France forever on q
fruitless enterprise. The locks at Mir
aflores, whereby the level Of the Pacific
ocean Will be reached. are on a much
smaller scale than those at GAtun.
There is a strong impression left upon
the mind that the work OF building
the canal IL not as near completion
az we had been led to expect by 70
ports current in the United Seates ana
the inquiry constantly arises IN tho
mind, will this great enterprise. out
side Of its Importance to the stability
of our government, ever pay q reason
able income upon the investment? Upon
the arrival Of our train at Panama we
at once entered carriages and we're
conveyed to the Hotel Tlvoli, an I'M
mense building constructed by Uncle
Sam for hotel purposes. where lunch
con vvas at once served. and we were
at liberty to wander round the newer
Panama city or drive to any place
within reach, including the old city IT.
self. / had a letter Of Introduction to
Commissioner NJ. H. Thatcher. IN
charge Of the administrative affairs In