Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-27
COCKTAILS REPORTS
ON PANAMA CANAL
Cucaracha Slide, Quiet During Dry
Season, Resumes Activity When
Rainfall Begins.
HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE GOOD

WASHINGTON, Dec. ga de-
tailed account of the operation and
maintenance of the Panama Canal
during the first ten months and
half after its opening to commerce
in August, 1914, is given in the
annual report Of Governor Goethals
of the Canal Zone, made public to-
night. Final construction work
just prior to the canals opening al
so is described in the report, which
embraces the fiscal year ending June
80 last, prior to the earth slide
which blocked the channel.
Between August 10. 1914, and June 80
1915. $50 vessels representing a net Pana-
ma Canal tonnage OF 1.Ss4.72s and cargo
tonnage of 2,125,7S5 were passed through
from Atlantic to Pacific and SOS vessels
representing a Panama canal tonnage of
l.95S.907 and cargo tonnage of 2S44.0Si
from Pacific to Atlantic. making total
of loss vessels with a net canal tonnage
OF 3.S43 OPS and a cargo tonnage of 4969,-
792. During this period three minor slides
interrupted traffic, the channel being
closed from October IA to 20 and Octo-
Der 81 to November 4, 1914. and March L.
to 10. 1915.
Millions of Yards Moved.
Construction of the canal proper. OK
cept for dredging, excavating and con-
struction of the cast breakwater at
Colon virtually was completed prior TO
this fiscal year. In the old Culebra Cut.
rof aF,aad he CofI ri
moved, i'm the process of construction
during the year, 1.s6O,SO7 cubic yards at
an average cost of approximately 42h
cents a yard. In maintaining the chan
nel-including removal of earth deposited
by sales.--future were taken from Gall
lard cut 4,7O.566 cubic yards at a cost
of "a % cents yard and from the chan
mel at the Atlantic entrance ,233, 301 cubic
yards at a cost of 10 1-6 cents a yard.
"Cucaracha Slide" the report says.
was very active from July to October.
1914 quiet during the dry season. and
active again with the beginning of the
rainy season in April. On the west
side at Culebra the slide showed little
activity through the greater part OF the
year, but in June. 1915. the general
movement of the bank was noticeable,
and 1t was estimated that 100000 cubic
yards of material were in motion on
June 30, 1915. on the west side. 1t is
estimated that about 4,000,00O cubic yards
will have to be removed from the east
side"
Use OF Appropriations.
OF the 1904 sss.1l0 appropriated by con-
gress to june. 20. last. the report states
that s1l.eS9,S7S has been spent on forth
ri n.
payments to the Republic of Panama;
S6.44O.00O for the operation of the civil
government of the canal zone for the
fiscal year 1918. s4.2ss.15s for the opera
ton and maintenance of the canal to
the end of the fiscal year 1915. while
stock on hand aggregates s2225.OoO. leav-
ing 1886. 1885, 16 appropriated for the actual
construction OF the canal and its ad-
juncts.
Two million dollars of this was invested
In GOLFERS, and S6,5sS.O67 was returned to
the Treasury department up to the close
of the fiscal year 1915 as miscellaneous
receipts, leaving $S57. 4S6.04s as the net
amount expended for the canal including
the amount available for work still in
progress. A dry dock. two coaling sta
tions and terminal piers, not included in
these figures, are yet to be constructed.
Health Conditions Good.
Health conditions in the canal zone.
the report says were very good during
the year. The total death rate from dis
ease was red iced from 144s in 1914 to
| 11.E In 1915. Victims of malaria, the
principal cause OF disability, were re-
duced twenty per cont in number and the
death rate 80 per cent. in theyear The
admission rate to hospitals from typhoid
was reduced more than 20 per cent. from
dysentery, fifty per cent. and the death
rate from pneumonia was reduced more
than 80 per cent.
! Labor conditions were excellent. More
I than 600 men were given transportation
+ home because they could not be used.