The tribune independent of Michigan. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1935, 1934-07-21
BIG CHANGES MADE
ON FACE OF EARTH
1888 Sees Great Engineer
ing Projects Under Way.

Washington. Outstanding changes
brought about on the face OF the
earth during 1888 by dynamite. steam
shovels, picks and spades, riveting
guns" and concrete mixers are
summarized In a bulletin from the
National Geographic society dealing
with the engineering accomplish
ments OF the year. Owing to the
pushing forward Of public works In
the United States and a number OF
other countries. In an effort to COM
bat the economic depression. and to
threats of war In other regions, the
bulletin points out, more than the
normal number OF construction prof.
ects were under way In all parts
OF the world.
Engineering activity was espe-
cially marked In highway construc-
tion." says the bulletin. I'm the
United States work progressed in all
the states on more than 1900 sepa-
rate bodybuilding projects financed
with public works administration
funds. For the most part, these
projects represented relatively short
stretches OF road Supplementary and
improving existing highways.
Two scenic highways OF more
than local interest were completed
or brought close 10 completion:
Going to-the-sun' highway In the
Glacier National park. and the Sky
line Drive along the crest OF sec
ton of the Blue Ridge mountains In
Virginia.
Railways Shrink in U. s.
while net railway mileage in
creased In 1888 on several CONT
nents. especially Asia, much great
er mileage was again abandoned In
the United States than was built
Less than so miles of new track
was laid In Uncle Sans domain dur
ing the year. while more than 2,400
miles was abandoned
Railways were extended In Chile,
Brazil. Peru, Uruguay, Argentina.
and Colombia: in Spain and Italy;
In French Morocco, Central. South.
and East Africa; In Bulgaria, Yugo-
slayia. the Soviet Union. Poland. and
Turkey: In China and in Australia.
zone OF the most important rail
way projects undertaken during
1893 was the mountaineering of the
Trans Siberian railroad.
Greater railway activity conferred
during the year In Manchuria and
| Korea, TO central Manchuria.
| Famous Aswan dam across thu
Nile, 400 miles south OF Cairo. ha'
it's second heightening job con
pieted during the year. IL viii no.
impound more than Ave billion toi
OF water.
1.-THE 2O-miie dam across the Zu
der Zee In the Netherlands. the las
gap In which was closed In 1913.
took final shape during 1888. and Il
September It's top was Otliciall.
opened to rail and highway traffic
after nearly three years OF ex
cavation and preparation of IN,
Boulder dam site on the Colorado
river, the first concrete was poured
June O. Two years will be required
to pour the 100000 barrels of con
crete that will go into the structure,
by means of four-mlle highway
bridge. opened April %. Venice be-
came more closely connected with
the mainland and for the first time
automobiles were driven TO the edge
OF the island city.
"a new bridge across the Hud-
sol. at Albany was dedicated In Jan
uary.
work was started on the two
huge bridges in San Francisco which
are to span San Francisco bay and
the Golden Gate.
f50-Mlle Canal In Russia.
"The Soviet Union completed the
most important artificial waterway
OF the year-the Baltic-Whlte Sea
canal. extending for approximately
! 100 miles from Poyenletz, on Lake
Omega, to Soroka. on the White sea.
II has IL locks and Is dams.
AT home, barge service between
New Orleans and Chicago. was for
mally inaugurated during the sum
mer on the Lakesto-Gulf waterway.
en.thlrty-three saw con-
siderable addition t. the worlds
tunnels. In Japan the five-mlle
Tanna railway tunnel was com
pleted after 10 years OF work. In
Chile completion OF the three-mile
Las Races tunnel gives direct
rail connection between southern
Chile and southern Argentina. Spah
completed a two-and-a-half-mile tun
mel between Burgos and Madrid. II
Africa 'hollng through Of the
Mount Bomba tunnel removed tn,
greatest rail-trafiic obstacle between
Braxzaville, French Equatorial Az
rica, and the Atlantic.
| "Subways were extended In three
OF the great cities Of the world
New York. London and Paris; ant
opened for the FIRST time In Osaka
Japan. One New York extension
involved the boring Of twin tubei
under East river. Work progressed
rapidly during 1888 on the new sub
way system for Moscow"