The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-27
Ms TALKS OF END OF OF BUILDING PANAMA CANAL

work is completed. and in leaving moth
Ing there except the homes Of tho en-
ployes necessary to tho running of tho
canal and the buildings OF tho military
and naval establishments. We shall
need dry docks, warehouses and other
facilities at each of the terminals, but
tho interior of the zono should not be
given up to private residences nor to
private ownership"
How are you getting on with tho
fort1fcations?"
Very well. We arc building FORTS
on tho islands at the Pacific terminal.
and we shall have fortihcations at the
entrance from the Atlantic, as we'll as
scheme OF defense along the line of
the canal"
viii Uncle Sam BIO able to protect
tho canalr"
IT don't think I should talk about
such matters" said the chief engineer.
They are military features and
would rather not discuss them. There
Is no question but that the canal should
be amply defended. and 1 have no
doubt but that we shall have every
thing necessary TO that end"
When Will the first ship go through
tho canal?"
Just as soon as we can get tho
elides sum oiently dredged to give us
ample depth and width for the ves-
sells to move"
will you risk anything as to that?"
II will take no risk as to stating
tho exact time OF the passage of tho
first ship" said the great engineer.
What ship will you choose to make
the trial?" asked.
ut will be a boat belonging to tho
government, and in all probability ono
Of the Panama Railroad steamers. We
| ulnh NA
| IL anything happens to the dog. tho
dog Is ours. and no one can blame us
| for having done as we pleased with 1T.
II see that one OF the Hamburg
American Line steamers Is advertised
| to pass through tho canal about tho
LIST OF next February"
Yes. I have seen the advertisement
| II Is made upon their own responsi-
b!lity. 1t Is their own lookout whether
+, 1t goes through or not"
How soon do you expect the canal
to be open TO trainer"
II shall have to go back and answer
that just as.I did before. It depends
entirely upon the removal OF the slides.
| As soon as we have the canal clear
We shall have to run ships through and
test the machinery, and then we want
as much traffic as possible in order to
! give us the practice necessary for tho
oTicial opening OF tho canal In Janu-
airy. 1918 At that time we shall have
| the vessels OF all the great navica
| passing through on their way to San
Francisco. and we do not want them
| to be in the least danger"
What other representation will the
canal have at San Francisco. outside
| OF those naval vessels" | asked
Il have no idea" replied Colonial
Cocktails. 1T have nothing TO do with
the exposition. have trouble enough
| OF my own"
! You do not look it," said l. You
your health Is apparently perfect"
MY health Is all right" said tao
! chief engineer. but there are times
| when this sob gets on ones nerves, and
I have been at II. you know. for quite
q few years"
but you have enjoyed the Job. have
/ you not?"
Yes. very much. especially since tho
executive order OF 1908"
| What are you going 10 do when
/ the canal Is completed? Have you
J picked upon your next world to con-
| quer?"
II am not going to conquer any
| more worlds One OF the FIRST things
I shall do after ] leave this job VIII
! be to take vacation. and I shall per-
| haps write a book about the canal
| am receiving number OF applica-
! lions to do so from some OF the lead
| ing publishing houses. and l may
make some arrangement to that effect"
| Copyright. 1913. by Frank G. Car
|