A DISAPPOINTING CONCLUSION.

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cepted matter, and they were not inclined to be easily reconciled to a contrary decision on the part of a majority of the engineers, no matter how eminent, who were foreigners and therefore might be supposed to have less concern than Americans regarding the cost and delay entailed by following their proposal.

At the present time it is impossible to tell what may be the outcome of the report of the Advisory Board. The body, acted in a purely consultative capacity and there is no obligation, implied or otherwise, to heed its recommendations. The President is known to be strongly averse to changing the plans in any manner that would involve serious uncertainty as to money and time that will be required for the completion of the undertaking. The Secretary of War and a majority in Congress are in accord with his sentiments. The law gives him unquestionable authority to proceed with the canal in the way he thinks fit. He may, if he chooses, entirely disregard the advice of the Board as to the form of the waterway and continue the work on the present lines with a view to the completion of the canal with locks. If, on the other hand, the President should adopt the recommendation of the Board it would be necessary for him to secure the endorsement of Congress in the form of a further appropriation to meet the additional cost of sea-level construction. It is probable that the President will formally submit the report of the Board to Congress, accompanied by a

message arguing the desirability of adhering to the lock-level project.

CONSIDERATION OF THE RIVAL PROJECTS.

It is universally admitted that a sea-level canal is the ideal waterway. It would involve few engineering problems of consequence that would be absent from the plans for a lock canal. The two important elements of construction are the same in either case

the control of the Chagres and the passage of the divide. In both cases it would be necessary to provide for one or more dams and spillways to accommodate the flood waters of the river and the diversion of its lower course is also a feature of each project. The construction of a sea-level canal would require a much deeper cut at the Culebra pass and other points, but it might not entail any greater difficulties in excavation than may be expected in digging a lock level, though the task of transportation to the dumps, a very serious one under any circumstances, would be greatly enhanced by the greater excavation.

As to the time that should be estimated for making a waterway at the level of the oceans, expert opinions differ. It is believed that the Board will place it at fifteen years, whilst many authorities are inclined to the belief that twenty would be a more reasonable figure.

PANAMA.

THE PLAN OF THE CANAL.

Sea-level Plan Recommended by the Board The Starting Point of the Canal - Accommodation for the Largest Vessels-The Question of Time - The Great Culebra Cut

The Board's Estimate of Time-Cost of Maintenance -Lock Canal Project of the Minority-The Configuration of the Canal Line - Excavation in the CutThe Lake and Dam at Gatun - Dimensions of the Dam Enormous Weight of the Dam- - The Advantages of the Gatun Dam — Important Matter of Water Supply The Summit Level - Lake Sosa- Early Suggestions Adopted - The Gatun Locks - Differences of Opinion as to Type of Canal The Board Depreciated the "Soo" Canal.

The report of the International Board of Consulting Engineers was transmitted to Congress by the President, February 19, 1906. The report was accompanied by letters of comment and advice from the President, Secretary Taft, Chairman Shonts and Chief Engineer Stevens, all of whom substantially agree in their criticisms and suggestions.

As had been anticipated, a majority of the Board, composed of the following members, recommended the construction of the canal on the so-called "sea