Norwich bulletin., 1913-10-11
DESCRIBED PANAMA TRIP.
Edwin A. Tracy Gave Instructive Talk
 at Norwich Town Church.

Friday evening in the chapel of the b1rst Congregational church at Nor l wien Town Edwin A. Tracy held his audience intent to the close of a most
 interesting description of his trip te PanaIna, MT. Tracy began with a Sketch Of Bible characters who left home. Men who all down the ages | nave gone away. he said have helped
 10 develop their own home land in | consequence Every one who goes away
 to learn by travel comes back better
 satisfied with the conditions of his own ] home.
 Feb. 1 we started when ice was all l aoout, and in three days we came to | spring, through summer, to autumn Tor fruits were ripening when we reached our destination. Twelve years ago Florida was one of the poorer
 states, today it is one of the most prosperous Much money has been spent there. The four hundred Semi noIe Indians are in the midst of the everglades No man is allowed to go are being drained by an immense canel. On either side are farms, one or acres of pineapple plants. From Miami on the over sea rail- road to Key West
 At Key West we took the steamer EVangellne; a poor way; one should take U. $. fruit steamer from New York. The heat to Colon was great. Down through the Caribbean sea we think of Columbus and those who fol- lowed after and the days of the pirates
 When we land at Colon we think of the procession beginning in 1500 who nave landed on that spot, Ten years ago 1t was a place of pestiIence, today one of the heaIthiest cities in the world. The controlling of the mos0ui- to, the purifying of the water has made made safe place fer people to live hn T !, New York. No window panes in the room at the hotel, hot. but no fly, mos quito or insect anywhere about.
 Panama is a foreign city. From the hill one sees the Pacific ocean We approach the canal from Colon. A deep water sea level canal for seven miles then three locks, the stupendous work of the canal is overcoming nature. The moving of these immense gates as easily as if they weighed ten pounds was the intention of the man in charge of the work. No such thing had ever before been thought of.
 Gatun lake covers an immense amount of land. Except for the river near a lock canal would have been impossible. The valley of the river has been damned to the width of one and one-haIf miles. Much water is 1mpounded so that they con go three months in the dry season and vet have enough water for the locks The only trouble Is to care for the water in the rainy season.
 For twenty two miles from Gatun dam is this great lake, then Culebra cut Here was an immense excava- tion. Only when you stand at the side of this cut can you realize the amount of labor involverd. Over 300 trains in and out a day when the work was in progress. One shovel would lift and deposit eight tons of gravel and dirt at a time.
 From Culebra cut to a single lock further on-then six miles of sea level canal, then the ocean is reached. To day they blow out the last bit of earth between Culebra cut and Gatun lake so that the way is clear from ocean to ocean.
 After the address a social hour fol- lowed during which cake and cocoa were served and those present had the pleasure of meeting and thanking MT Tracy.