,,!   ,,am]ican ,,type   ,,(   ,,i/hmian
 ,,canal  ,,hon4 ,,john ,,fairfield     
,,dryd5  ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,john ,f4   
,,dryd5 ,,/atue  ,! above is a picture (
 ! bronze /atue ( ! late ,unit$ ,/ates  
,s5ator ,john ,f4 ,dryd51 ,f\nd] ( ,!   
,prud5tial & ,pione] ( ,indu/rial       
insurance 9 ,am]ica1 erect$ by ! ,john  
,f4 ,dryd5 ,memorial ,association1 ) ?is
 inscription3 ,a tribute ( e/eem &      
affection f ! field & (fice =ce4 ,!     
/atue is locat$ at ! ,home ,(fice ( ,!  
,prud5tial1 ,new>k1 ,n4,j41 & is unique1
 be+ ! gift ( a /aff ( ov] #af1jjj      
employees4 ,x co/ #ae1jjj4 ,! sculptor 0
 ,k>l ,bitt]4       ,no4 #h             
,,panama-,,pacific ,,exposition         
,,memorial ,,publications ,,( ,,!       
,,prud5tial   ,,insurance ,,company ,,( 
,,am]ica    ,,! ,,am]ican ,,type   ,,(  
,,i/hmian ,,canal    ,,spee* ,,by       
,,hon4 ,,john ,,fairfield ,,dryd5   ,,9 
,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates     
,,june #ad1 #aijf    #aiae   ,,prud5tial
 ,,press1 ,,new>k1 ,,new ,,j]sey     ,! 

anci5t ,dream ( ,navigators has at la/  
be5 realiz$ 9 ! completion & successful 
op]ation ( ! ,,panama ,,canal1 fitt+ly  
commemorat$ by ! ,panama-,pacific       
,int]national ,exposition4 ,among ! m5  
:o contribut$ 9 a measurable degree to !
 atta9m5t ( ?is national ideal 0 ! late 
,unit$ ,/ates ,s5ator1 ,,john ,f4       
,,dryd51 ,presid5t ( ,,! ,,prud5tial4 ,z
 a memb] ( ! ,s5ate ,committee on       
,int]oceanic ,canals1 ,mr4 ,dryd51 aft] 
mature & ext5d$ consid]ation1 gave !    
weight ( 8 influ5ce & vote 9 favor ( !  
lock-level pr9ciple ( canal con/ruction4
 ,! lock-level type 0 f9ally decid$ ^u1 
al?\gh ! majority ( ,mr4 ,dryd5's       
conf]ees & ! ,int]national ,bo>d (      
,consult+ ,eng9e]s at fir/ /rongly      
favor$ ! sea-level type4 ,by 8 det]m9$  
support ( ! "o & 8 well-reason$         
opposition to ! o!r1 ,mr4 ,dryd5 0 able 
to secure ! enactm5t ( legislation 9    
accordance ) 8 views & to br+ ab\t !    
completion ( ?is trem5d\s und]tak+ )9   
our "t1 ?us leav+ a p]man5t impr9t ^u ! 

c\ntry's hi/ory4     ,,! ,,am]ican      
,,type ,,( ,,i/hmian ,,canal       ,x 0 
on ,june #ad1 #aijf1 :5 ! ,canal subject
 0 up = f9al      consid]ation1 t ,mr4  
,dryd5 address$ ! ,s5ate4 ,! (ficial    
records %[ t ,s4 #faia1 to provide = !  
con/ruction ( a      sea-level canal    
connect+ ! wat]s ( ! ,atlantic &        
,pacific      oceans1 & ! me?od (       
con/ruction1 0 be=e ,congress1 &      x 
0 9 opposition to ?is measure t ,mr4    
,dryd5 patriotically      pl$g$ 8       
devotion to ,am]ican ent]prise &        
,am]ican ability by      decl>+ = !     
lock-level type ( canal1 built by       
,am]ican      eng9e]s & "u ,am]ican     
sup]vision1 conclud+ ) !      foll[+    
words1 :i* des]ve to be recall$ on ?is  
memorable      occasion z a tribute to !
 native g5ius & ent]prise ( !           
,am]ican p3       ,i am entirely conv9c$
 t ! judgm5t & exp]i5ce (      ,am]ican 
eng9e]s 9 favor ( a lock canal may be   
reli$ ^u )      entire confid5ce & t su*
 an ent]prise w be br\ght to a          

successful t]m9ation4 ,i believe t 9 a  
national und]tak+ (      ?is k9d1       
fraught ) ! grave/ possible political & 
comm]cial consequ5ces1 only ! judgm5t ( 
our own p %\ld      gov]n1 = !          
protection ( our own int]e/s1 :i* are   
prim>ily at /ake4 ,i also pref] to      
accept ! view &      convictions ( !    
memb]s ( ! ,i/hmian ,commission1 & ( its
      *ief eng9e]1 a man ( extraord9>y  
ability & l>ge      exp]i5ce4 ,x is a   
subject ^u :i* op9ions w diff] &      ^u
 :i* hone/ convictions may be widely at 
v>iance1 b 9 a      "q ( su* surpass+   
importance to ! nation1 ,i1 = "o1       
%all side ) ^? :o take ! ,am]ican po9t (
 view1 place      _! reliance ^u        
,am]ican exp]i5ce1 & %[ _! fai? 9       
,am]ican eng9e]s4   ,! ,panama ,canal   
problem has rea*$ a /age :]e a decision 
%\ld be made to fix p]man5tly ! type ( !
 wat]way1 :e!r x %all be a sea-level or 
a lock canal4 ,an imm5se am\nt ( evid5ce
 on ! subject has 9 ! pa/ & dur+ rec5t  
ye>s be5 pres5t$ to ,congress4 ,an      

ov]:elm+ am\nt ( exp]t op9ion has be5   
collect$1 & an ,int]national ,bo>d (    
,consult+ ,eng9e]s has made a f9al      
report to ! ,presid5t1 9 :i* exp]ts ( ! 
highe/ /&+ divide ^u ! "q4 ,! ,s5ate    
,committee on ,int]oceanic ,canals has  
likewise divid$4 ,x is an issue (       
transc5d5t importance1 involv+ !        
exp5diture ( an enorm\s sum ( money1 &  
political & comm]cial consequ5ces ( !   
greate/ magnitude1 n only to ! ,am]ican 
p1 b to ! _w at l>ge4  ,! report ( !    
,int]national ,bo>d has be5 pr9t$ &     
plac$ be=e ,congress4 ,a critical       
discussion ( ! facts & op9ion pres5t$ by
 ?is ,bo>d1 all m or less ( a te*nical &
 involv$ nature1 w\ld unduly impose ^u !
 "t ( ! ,s5ate at ?is late day ( !      
session4 ,9 addition1 !re is ! te/imony 
( witnesses call$ be=e ! ,s5ate         
committee1 :i* has also be5 pr9t$ 9 ?ree
 l>ge volumes1 exce$+ #c1jjj pages (    
pr9t$ matt]4 ,to prop]ly sep>ate !      
evid5ce = & aga9/ "o type ( canal or !  
o!r1 to argue ^u ! facts1 :i* pres5t !  

greate/ conflict ( eng9e]+ op9ion (     
mod]n times1 w\ld be a m]e wa/e ( ef=t &
 "t1 s9ce ! evid5ce & op9ions are z f>  
ap>t & z irreconcilable z ! f9al        
conclusions !mselves4 ,x is1 !re=e1 r a 
"q :i* ! practical exp]i5ce & judgm5t ( 
memb]s ( ,congress mu/ decide1 & ,i h   
entire confid5ce t ! w ( ! nation1 z    
express$ 9 its f9al m&ate1 w be c>ri$   
into successful execution1 :e!r t m&ate 
be = lock canal or sea-level wat]way4   
,! ,panama ,canal pres5ts at once ! mo/ 
int]e/+ & ! mo/ /up5d\s project ( mank9d
 to ov]come by human +5uity :at ,nature 
h]self seems to h attempt$1 b 9 va94 ,f 
! "t :5 ! fir/ ,spani% navigators ext5d$
 _! explorations into e bay & inlet ( ! 
,c5tral ,am]ican i/hmus1 to discov]1 if 
possible1 a %ort r\te to ! ,indies1 or f
 ,cadiz to ,ca?ay1 ! human m9d has n be5
 will+ to re/ cont5t & accept z         
insurm\ntable ! natural ob/acles on !   
,i/hmus :i* prev5t un9t]rupt$           
communication betwe5 ! ,atlantic & !    
,pacific4 ,except+1 possibly1 ,arctic   

explorations1 9 all ! romantic hi/ory ( 
anci5t & mod]n comm]ce1 9 all ! annals (
 ! e>ly navigators & explor]s1 !re is no
 *apt] t equals 9 int]e/ ! nev]-ceas+   
ef=ts to make ! ,c5tral ,am]ican i/hmus 
a natural highway = ! _w's comm]ce--a   
direct r\te ( trade & transportation f !
 utt]mo/ ,ea/ to ! utt]mo/ ,we/4  ,z    
e>ly z #aecf ,*>les ,v ord]$ an         
exploration ( ! ,*agres ,riv] to le>n   
:e!r a %ip canal c\ld n be sub/itut$ =  
an exi/+ wagon road1 & ,philip ,,ii1 9  
#aefa1 _h a simil> survey made 9        
,nic>agua = ! same purpose4 ,f t day to 
?is ! greate/ m9ds 9 comm]ce & eng9e]+ h
 giv5 _! att5tion to ! problem ( an     
int]oceanic wat]way2 e conceivable plan 
has be5 consid]$1 e possible road has   
be5 explor$1 & e mile ( l& & sea has be5
 gone ov] to f9d ! be/ & mo/ practical  
solution ( ! problem4  ,! hi/ory ( ^!   
e>ly attempts is mo/ int]e/+1 b x is no 
long] ( practical value1 = x has no     
direct be>+ ^u pres5t-day problems4 ,mo/
 ( ! ef=ts 7 wa/$1 & _m ( !m 7 ill      

advis$1 b ! pres5t c pr(itably consid] !
 m important lessons ( ! pa/4 ,x 0      
writt5 9 ! book ( fate t ?is ent]prise1 
! mo/ important 9 ! _w ( comm]ce &      
navigation1 %\ld be ,am]ican 9 its end+ 
z x _h be5 9 its practical beg9n+4 ,f ! 
day :5 ! fir/ tra9 ( c>s cross$ !       
,i/hmus f ,panama to ,asp9wall1 to      
facilitate ! transportation ( pass5g]s &
 freight across ! n>r[ belt ( l&        
connect+ ! nor!rn & s\!rn cont95ts1 !   
imp]ative necessity ( a %ip canal 0 made
 app>5t4 ,j z ! railway foll[$ ! e>li]  
wagon roads ( ! ,spani% adv5tur]s1 s a  
%ip canal w naturally succe$ or         
supplem5t ! railway4  ,natural          
conditions on ! ,i/hmus mat]ially       
enhance ! physical difficulties to be   
ov]come 9 canal con/ruction4 ,ev5 !     
precise locality or section be/ adapt$  
to ! purpose has = _m ye>s be5 a "q (   
s]i\s d\bt4 ,! ,i/hmus ( ,tehuantepec1 !
 ,nic>aguan r\te1 ! utiliz+ ( a lake (  
l>ge ext5t1 & f9ally ! n>r[ b& ( l& &   
m\nta9 *a9 at ,panama1 ea* (f]s di/9ct  

advantages peculi> to itself1 )         
correspond+ disadvantages or local      
difficulties n met ) 9 ! o!rs4 ,_m o!r  
projects h be5 advanc$2 9 all1 at lea/  
"s tw5ty di/9ct r\tes h be5 laid out by 
sci5tific surveys1 b ! mo/ em95t        
,am]ican eng9e]+ tal5t1 consid]+        
imp>tially ! natural advantages & local 
ob/acles ( ea*1 f9ally1 9 #ahdi1 decid$ 
^u ! i/hmus betwe5 ! ,bay ( ,panama &   
,limon ,bay z ! mo/ feasible = ! build+ 
( ! railroad1 & "s fifty ye>s lat] = !  
build+ ( ! ,i/hmian ,canal4 ,e fur!r    
/udy1 survey1 & inquiry has confirm$ !  
wisdom ( ! e>li] *oice1 :i* has be5     
adopt$ z ! be/ & z ! p]man5t plan ( !   
,am]ican gov]nm5t1 :i* is n[ to build a 
canal at ! exp5se ( ! nation1 b = !     
ultimate b5efit ( all mank9d4  ,!       
,panama railway m>k$ ! beg9n+ ( a new   
era 9 ! hi/ory ( int]oceanic            
communication4 ,! great practical       
usefulness ( ! road soon made !         
con/ruction ( a canal a comm]cial       
necessity4 ,! eyes ( all ! _w 7 ^u !    

,i/hmus1 b no nation made ! subject a   
matt] ( m pr(\nd /udy & inquiry ?an !   
,unit$ ,/ates4 ,"o survey+ p>ty foll[$  
ano!r1 & e promis+ project receiv$      
c>eful consid]ation4 ,! conflict+       
evid5ce1 ! great eng9e]+ difficulties1 !
 natural ob/acles1 &1 mo/ ( all1 !      
,civil ,w>1 delay$ active ef=ts2 b      
public int]e/ 0 ma9ta9$ & ! g5]al public
 cont9u$ to view ! project ) favor & to 
dem& an ,am]ican canal4  ,dur+ !        
sev5ties a ,fr5* commission made surveys
 & inve/igations on ! ,i/hmus :i*       
t]m9at$ 9 ! ef=ts ( ,de ,lesseps1 :o    
und]took to con/ruct a canal1 &1 9      
#ahgi1 call$ an int]national sci5tific  
congress to consid] ! project 9 all its 
aspects & det]m9e ^u a practical        
solution4 ,! ,unit$ ,/ates 0 invit$ to  
be repres5t$ by two (ficial delegates1 &
 accord+ly ,presid5t ,hayes appo9t$     
,admiral ,amm5 & ,a4,c4 ,m5ocal1 ( !    
,unit$ ,/ates ,navy1 bo? ( :om _h be5   
connect$ ) surveys & explorations on !  
,i/hmus4 ,mr4 ,m5ocal pres5t$ 8 plan = a

 canal by way ( ,nic>agua1 b x 0 evid5t 
t ! ,wyse project1 ( a canal by way ( ! 
,i/hmus ( ,panama1 _h ! majority 9 its  
favor1 & ! only "q to det]m9e 0 :e!r !  
canal to be con/ruct$ %\ld be a         
sea-level or a lock canal4 ,! ,am]ican  
delegates 7 conv9c$1 9 ! light ( _! k & 
exp]i5ce1 t a sea-level canal w\ld be   
impracticable1 if n impossible4 ,9 ?is  
!y 7 second$ by ,sir ,john ,hawk%aw1 a  
man ?or\ghly famili> ) canal problems1 &
 :o expos$ ! hopelessness ( an attempt  
to make a sea-level %ip canal1 po9t+ out
 t !re w\ld be a cat>act ( ! ,*agres    
,riv] at ,mata*9 ( #db feet1 :i* 9      
p]iods ( floods w\ld be #gh feet high1 &
 a body ( wat] t w\ld be #cf feet deep1 
) a wid? ( #a1ejj feet4  ,opposition to 
! sea-level project prov$ ( no avail4 ,!
 facts 7 ignor$ or treat$ ) indiff]5ce  
by ! ,fr5*1 :o 7 det]m9$ ^u a canal at  
,panama & at sea level1 re/+ _!         
conclusions ^u ! success at ,suez1 ) :i*
 ent]prise _m ( ^? pres5t at ! congress1
 9 addition to ,de ,lesseps1 _h be5     

connect$4 ,b ! problems & conditions to 
be met on ! ,i/hmus ( ,panama 7 decid$ly
 diff]5t f ^? at ,suez1 & subsequ5t     
exp]i5ce prov$ ! s]i\s error ( !        
sea-level plan z f9ally adopt$4 ,!      
congress includ$ a l>ge assemblage (    
non-pr(essional m51 & ( ! ,fr5* eng9e]s 
pres5t only "o or two _h ev] be5 on !   
,i/hmus4 ,! f9al vote 0 sev5ty-five 9   
favor ( & eight oppos$ to a sea-level   
canal4 ,re>-admiral ,amm5 said3 ,i      
ab/a9$ f vot+ on ! gr\nd t only able    
eng9e]s c =m an op9ion aft] c>eful /udy 
( :at is actually possible & :at is     
relatively economical 9 ! con/ruction ( 
a %ip canal4 ,( ^? 9 favor ( a sea-level
 canal n "o _h made a practical &       
exhau/ive /udy ( ! facts4 ,! project at 
?is /age 0 9 a /ate ( hopeless          
confusion4 ,9 spite ( ^! ob/acles1 ,de  
,lesseps1 ) undaunt$ c\rage1 proce$$ to 
organize a company = ! con/ruction ( a  
sea-level canal4  ,z soon z possible    
aft] ! adj\rnm5t ( ! sci5tific congress 
( #ahgi ! ,panama ,canal ,company 0     

organiz$1 ) ,f]d9& ,de ,lesseps z       
presid5t4 ,! company pur*as$ ! ,wyse    
concession1 & by #ahhj suffici5t funds  
_h be5 secur$ to proce$ ) ! prelim9>y   
"w4 ,! next two ye>s 7 us$ = sci5tific  
inve/igations1 surveys1 etc41 & ! actual
 "w comm5c$ 9 #ahhc4 ,! plan adopt$ 0 = 
a sea-level canal hav+ a dep? ( #bi4e   
feet & a bottom wid? ( #gb feet4 ,?is   
plan 9 outl9e & int5t 0 adh]$ to        
practically to ! cessation ( op]ations 9
 #ahhh4  ,9 t ye> op]ations on ! ,i/hmus
 came to an end = want ( funds4 ,!      
failure ( ! company prov$ disa/r\s to a 
v l>ge numb] ( %>ehold]s1 mo/ly ,fr5*   
peasants ( small means1 & = a "t !      
project ( int]oceanic communication by  
way ( ,panama seem$ hopeless4 ,!        
exp]i5ce1 h[ev]1 prov$ cle>ly ! utt]    
impossibility ( private ent]prise c>ry+ 
=w>d a project ( su* magnitude & :i* _h 
atta9$ a /age :]e l>ge additional funds 
7 ne$$ to make good enorm\s losses1 due 
to errors 9 plans1 to misc>riage ( ef=t1
 &1 la/ b n lea/1 to fraud on /up5d\s   

scale4 ,) admirable c\rage1 h[ev]1 !    
affairs ( ! fir/ ,panama ,canal ,company
 7 reorganiz$1 aft] ! appo9tm5t ( a     
receiv]1 on ,febru>y #d1 #ahhi4 ,a      
sci5tific commission ( inquiry 0 appo9t$
 to re9ve/igate ! entire project &      
report ^u ! "w actually accompli%$ & its
 value 9 future op]ations4 ,!           
commission1 made up ( em95t eng9e]s1 s5t
 five ( its memb]s to ! ,i/hmus to /udy 
! te*nical aspects ( ! problem1 & a f9al
 report 0 r5d]$ on ,may #e1 #ahij4 ,!   
recomm5dation ( ! commission 0 = !      
con/ruction ( a canal ) locks1 !        
ab&onm5t ( ! sea-level idea1 & = a fur!r
 & /ill m ?or\gh inquiry into ! facts1  
^u ! gr\nd t ! accumulat$ data 7 f> f   
possess+ ! precision ess5tial to a      
def9ite project4 ,?is took ! project (  
canal con/ruction out ( ! doma9 (       
preconceiv$ ideas bas$ ^u guesswork into
 ! sub/antial field ( a sci5tific       
und]tak+ = comm]cial purposes4 ,!       
receiv] at once comm5c$ to reorganize ! 
affairs ( ! company1 & accord+ly1 on    

,octob] #ba1 #ahid1 ! new ,panama ,canal
 ,company came into exi/5ce "u ! g5]al  
laws ( ,france4 ,! *>t] ( ! new company 
provid$ = ! appo9tm5t ( a te*nical      
committee to =mulate a f9al project = ! 
completion ( ! canal4 ,?is committee 0  
organiz$ 9 ,febru>y1 #ahif1 & rea*$ a   
unanim\s conclusion on ,novemb] #af1    
#ahih1 embodi$ 9 an elaborate report1   
:i* is probably ! mo/ au?oritative      
docum5t ev] pres5t$ on an eng9e]+       
subject4 ,! recomm5dation ( ! commission
 0 unanim\sly 9 favor ( a lock canal4#a 
,! subsequ5t hi/ory ( ! ,de ,lesseps    
project & ! ,am]ican ef=t = a practical 
r\te across ! ,i/hmus are /ill fre% 9   
our m9ds & ne$ n be re/at$4 ,!          
,spani%-,am]ican w> & ! voyage ( !      
,oregon by way ( ,cape ,horn1 m ?an any 
o!r causes1 comb9$ to direct ! att5tion 
( ! ,am]ican p to conditions on !       
,i/hmus1 & l$ to ! public dem& t by "o  
r\te or ano!r an ,am]ican wat]way be    
con/ruct$ )9 a reasonable p]iod ( "t &  
at a reasonable co/4 ,x w s]ve no       

practical purpose to recite ! subsequ5t 
facts & ! *a9 ( ev5ts :i* l$ to !       
passage ( ! act ( ,m>* #c1 #ahii1 :i*   
au?oriz$ ! ,presid5t to h a full &      
complete inve/igation made ( ! entire   
subject ( ,i/hmian canals4  ,a million  
doll>s 0 appropriat$ = ! exp5ses ( a    
commission1 & 9 pursuance ( ! provisions
 ( ! act ! ,presid5t appo9t$ a          
commission consi/+ ( ,re>-admiral       
,walk]1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,navy1 presid5t1 &
 n9e memb]s em95t 9 _! respective       
pr(essions z exp]ts or eng9e]s4 ,a      
report 0 r5d]$ "u ! date ( ,novemb] #cj1
 #aija1 9 :i* ! co/ ( con/ruct+ a canal 
by way ( ,nic>agua 0 e/imat$ at         
#ahi1hfd1jfb & by way ( ,panama at      
#ahd1bcc1ceh1 includ+ 9 ! la/ e/imate   
#dj1jjj1jjj = ! e/imat$ value ( ! rights
 & prop]ty ( ! ,new ,panama ,canal      
,company4 ,! company1 h[ev]1 held its   
prop]ty at a mu* high] value1 or "s     
#aji1jjj1jjj1 :i* ! ,commission consid]$
 exorbitant1 & ?us ! only alt]native 0  
to recomm5d ! con/ruction ( a canal by  

way ( ! ,nic>aguan r\te4 ,conv9c$1      
h[ev]1 t ! ,am]ican p 7 9 e>ne/1 ! ,new 
,panama ,company express$ a will+ness to
 reconsid] ! matt]1 & f9ally agre$ to ! 
pur*ase price fix$ by ! ,i/hmian        
,commission4  ,by ! ,spoon] act1 pass$  
,june #bh1 #aijb1 ,congress au?oriz$ !  
,presid5t to pur*ase ! prop]ty ( ! ,new 
,panama ,canal ,company = a price n     
exce$+ #dj1jjj1jjj1 ! title to ! prop]ty
 hav+ be5 fully inve/igat$ & f\nd valid4
 ,! ,i/hmian ,commission1 !re=e1        
recomm5d$ to ,congress ! pur*ase ( !    
prop]ty1 b ! majority ( ! ,s5ate        
,committee on ,int]oceanic ,canals      
disagre$1 & x is only to ! c\rage & r>e 
ability ( ! late ,s5ator ,hanna & 8     
associates1 z m9ority memb]s ( !        
committee1 t ! nation owes ! ab&onm5t ( 
! ,nic>aguan project1 ! acquirem5t ( !  
,panama ,canal rights at a reasonable   
price & ! mak+ ( ! project a national   
ent]prise4  ,! report ( ! m9ority memb]s
 ( ! ,s5ate committee 0 made "u date (  
,may #ca1 #aijb4 ,x is1 )\t "q1 a mo/   

able & compreh5sive diss]tation ^u !    
subject1 & =ms a mo/ valuable addition  
to ! truly volum9\s lit]ature ( ,i/hmian
 canal con/ruction4 ,! report 0 sign$ by
 ,s5ators ,hanna1 ,prit*>d1 ,mill>d1 &  
,kittr$ge4 ,we consid]1 said !          
committee1 t ! ,panama r\te is ! be/    
r\te = an i/hmian canal to be own$1     
con/ruct$1 controll$1 & protect$ by !   
,unit$ ,/ates4 ,x 0 a bold *all5ge ( !  
conclusions ( ! majority memb]s ( !     
committee1 b 9 entire h>mony ) & 9 /rict
 con=mity to ! views & f9al conclusions 
( ! ,i/hmian ,commission4 ,! m9ority    
report 0 accept$ by ! ,congress & a     
canal at ,panama became an ,am]ican     
ent]prise = ! b5efit ( ! ,am]ican p & ! 
_w at l>ge4  ,su*1 9 broad outl9e1 is ! 
pres5t /atus ( ! ,panama ,canal4 ,a     
grave "q pres5ts itself at ?is "t1 :i*  
dem&s to be dispos$ ( by ,congress1 & to
 :i* all o!rs are subs]vi5t4 ,%all !    
wat]way be a sea-level or a lock canal8 
,x is a "q ( trem5d\s importance--a "q (
 *oice equally z important z ! "o ( !   

r\te itself4 ,a *oice mu/ be made1 & x  
mu/ be made soon4 ,all ! subsidi>y "w1  
all ! relat$ ent]prises1 dep5d ^u !     
fundam5tal diff]5ce 9 type4 ,op9ions    
diff] z widely to-day z !y did at ! "t  
:5 ! project 0 fir/ consid]$ by !       
int]national committee 9 #ahgi4 ,eng9e]s
 ( ! highe/ /&+ at home & abroad h      
express$ !mselves = or aga9/ "o type or 
! o!r1 b x is a "q ^u :i* no complete   
agreem5t is possible4 ,9 !ory a         
sea-level canal has unque/ionable       
advantages1 b1 practically1 ! elem5ts ( 
co/ & "t necess>y = ! con/ruction       
preclude to-day1 z !y did 9 #ahid1 :5 ! 
,new ,canal ,company recomm5c$ active   
op]ations1 ! build+ ( a sea-level canal4
 ,x is n a "q ( ! ideally mo/ desirable1
 b ( ! practically mo/ exp$i5t1 t       
confronts ! ,am]ican p & dem&s solution4
  ,! ,new ,panama ,canal ,company _h    
approv$ ! lock plan1 :i* plac$ ! m9imum 
elevation ( ! summit level at #ig4e feet
 above ! sea & ! maximum level at #ajb4e
 feet above ! same datum4 ,9 ! words (  

,pr(4 ,william ,h4 ,burr3       ,x      
provid$ = a dep? ( #bi4e feet ( wat] & a
 bottom wid? (      canal prism ( ab\t  
#ih feet1 except at special places1 :]e 
?is      wid? 0 increas$4 ,a dam 0 to be
 built ne> ,bohio1 :i* w\ld      ?us =m 
an artificial lake1 ) its surface v>y+ f
 #eb4e to      #fe4f feet above ! sea4  
,! location ( ?is l9e 0 practically     
! same z t ( ! old company4 ,! available
 l5g? ( ea*      lock *amb] 0 #gch feet1
 :ile ! available wid? 0 #hb feet1      
! dep? 9 ! cle> be+ #cb feet #aj in*es4 
,! lifts 7 to      v>y f #bf to #cc     
feet4 ,x 0 e/imat$ t ! co/ (      f9i%+ 
! canal on ?is plan w\ld be             
#aja1hej1jjj1 exclusive      (          
adm9i/ration & f9anc+4  ,! ,i/hmian     
,commission ( #ahii-aija consid]$ !     
project1 reexam9$ into ! facts1 & z /at$
 by ,pr(essor ,burr--       ,!          
feasibility ( a sea-level canal1 b ) a  
tidal lock at !      ,panama end1 0     
c>efully consid]$ by ! ,commission1 & an
      approximate e/imate ( ! co/ (     

complet+ ! "w on t      plan 0 made4 ,9 
r\nd numb]s ?is e/imat$ co/ 0 ab\t      
#bej1jjj1jjj1 & ! "t requir$ to complete
 ! "w w\ld      probably be ne>ly or q  
twice t ne$$ = ! con/ruction      ( a   
canal ) locks4 ,! ,commission !re=e     
adopt$ a project      = ! canal locks4  
,bo? plans & e/imates 7 c>efully        
develop$ 9 accordance !re)4  ,pr(essor  
,burr1 n[ 9 favor ( a sea-level canal1  
!n concurr$ 9 ! report 9 favor ( a lock 
canal4  ,s9ce ! ,panama canal became !  
prop]ty ( ! nation a va/ am\nt (        
necess>y & prelim9>y "w has be5 done    
prep>atory to ! actual con/ruction ( !  
canal4 ,a complete civil gov]nm5t ( !   
,canal ,zone has be5 e/abli%$1 an army (
 exp]ts & eng9e]s has be5 organiz$1 ! "w
 ( sanitation & police control is 9     
excell5t h&s1 & ! ,i/hmus1 or1 m prop]ly
 speak+1 ! ,canal ,zone1 is to-day 9 a  
bett]1 clean]1 & m heal?ful condition   
?an at any previ\s "t 9 its hi/ory4 ,a  
consid]able am\nt ( excavation &        
necess>y improvem5ts 9 transportation   

facilities h be5 c>ri$ to a po9t :]e    
fur!r "w mu/ /op until ! ,i/hmian       
,commission kn[s ! f9al plan or type ( !
 canal4 ,! reports :i* h be5 made ( ! "w
 ( ! ,commission dur+ its two ye>s (    
actual control are a complete &         
affirmative answ] to ! "q :e!r :at has  
be5 done s f> has be5 done wisely &     
well1 & ! facts & evid5ce prove t !     
pres5t /ate ( affairs on ! ,i/hmus is 9 
all respects to ! cr$it ( ! nation4     
,n[1 x is evid5t t ! "q ( plan or type (
 canal is l>gely "o = eng9e]s to        
det]m9e1 b ev5 a layman c =m an         
intellig5t op9ion1 )\t ent]+ into all ! 
details ( s complex a problem z !       
relative advantage or disadvantage ( a  
sea-level v]sus a lock canal4 ,?is mu*1 
h[ev]1 is readily app>5t1 t a sea-level 
canal w co/ a va/ am\nt ( money & may   
take twice ! "t to build1 :ile x w n    
necess>ily accommodate a l>g] traffic or
 %ips ( a l>g] size4 ,a lock canal c be 
built :i* w meet all requirem5ts2 x c be
 built deep en\gh & wide en\gh to       

accommodate ! l>ge/ vessels afloat2 x c 
be s built t transit across ! ,i/hmus c 
be effect$ 9 a reasonably %ort p]iod (  
"t--9 a ^w1 x is a practical project1   
:i* w solve e p5d+ "q involv$ 9 !       
con/ruction ( a transi/hmian canal 9 a  
practical way1 at a reasonable co/1 & )9
 a reasonable p]iod ( "t4  ,to det]m9e !
 "q ! ,presid5t appo9t$ an ,int]national
 ,bo>d ( ,consult+ ,eng9e]s4 ,! ,bo>d   
includ$ 9 its memb]%ip ! _w's =emo/ m5 9
 eng9e]+ sci5ce1 & ! report is )\t "q a 
mo/ valuable docum5t4 ,! ,presid5t1 9 8 
address to ! memb]s ( ! ,bo>d on        
,septemb] #aa1 #aije1 outl9$ 8 views )  
reg>d to ! desirability ( a sea-level   
canal1 if su* a "o c\ld be con/ruct$ at 
a reasonable co/ )9 a reasonable "t4 ,he
 said--       ,if to build a sea-level  
canal w b slightly increase ! risk      
& w take b little long] ?an a multilock 
high-level canal1      ?is1 ( c\rse1 is 
pref]able4 ,b if to adopt ! plan ( a    
sea-level canal means to incur great    
haz>d & to incur indef9ite      delay1  

!n x is n pref]able4  ,! problem z view$
 by ! ,am]ican p c\ld n be m concisely  
/at$4 ,o!r ?+s equal1 a sea-level canal1
 no d\bt1 w\ld be pref]able2 b x rema9s 
to be %[n t su* a canal w\ld 9 all      
ess5tials provide safe1 *eap1 & e>li]   
navigation across ! ,i/hmus ?an a lock  
canal4  ,=1 z ! ,presid5t fur!r said on 
! same occasion1 !re are two ess5tial   
consid]ations3 ,fir/1 ! greate/ possible
 spe$ ( con/ruction2 second1 ! practical
 c]ta9ty t ! propos$ plan w be feasible2
 t x c be c>ri$ out ) ! m9imum risk2 & 9
 conclusion t--       ,!re may be good  
reason :y ! delay incid5t to ! adoption 
(      a plan = an ideal canal %\ld be  
incurr$2 b if !re is n1      !n ,i hope 
to see ! canal con/ruct$ on a sy/em :i* 
w      br+ to ! ne>e/ possible date 9 ! 
future ! "t :5 x      is practicable to 
take ! fir/ %ip across ! ,i/hmus--t is1 
:i* w 9 ! %orte/ "t possible secure a   
,panama wat]way      betwe5 ! oceans (  
su* a "* z to gu>antee p]man5t      &   
ample communication = ! greate/ %ips (  

our ,navy & =      ! l>ge/ /eam]s on    
ei!r ! ,atlantic or ! ,pacific4 ,!      
delay 9 transit ( ! vessels ow+ to      
additional locks w\ld be      ( small   
consequ5ce :5 comp>$ ) %ort5+ ! "t = !  
con/ruction ( ! canal or dim9i%+ ! risks
 9 !      con/ruction4 ,9 %ort1 ,i      
desire y\r be/ judgm5t on all !         
v>i\s que/ions to be consid]$ 9 *oos+   
among ! v>i\s      plans = a            
comp>atively high-level multilock canal1
 = a      l[]-level canal ) few] locks1 
& = a sea-level canal4      ,f9ally1 ,i 
urge ^u y ! necessity ( z great         
exp$ition 9      com+ to a decision z is
 compatible ) ?or\ghness 9      consid]+
 ! conditions4  ,! ,bo>d organiz$ & met 
9 ! city ( ,wa%+ton on ,septemb] #a1    
#aije1 & on ! #aj? ( ,janu>y1 #aijf1 or 
ab\t f\r mon?s lat]1 made its f9al      
report to ! ,presid5t ?r\gh ! ,secret>y 
( ,w>4 ,! ,bo>d divid$ ^u ! "q ( type = 
! propos$ canal1 a majority (           
eight--five =eign eng9e]s & ?ree        
,am]ican eng9e]s--be+ 9 favor ( a canal 

at sea-level1 :ile a m9ority ( five--all
 ,am]ican eng9e]s--favor$ a lock canal  
at a summit level ( eighty-five feet4 ,!
 two propositions require sep>ate       
consid]ation1 ea* ^u its own m]its1 be=e
 a f9al op9ion c be arriv$ at z to ! be/
 type ( a wat]way adapt$ to our ne$s &  
requirem5ts "u exi/+ conditions4  ,^u a 
"q s involv$ & complex1 :]e ! mo/ em95t 
eng9e]s divide & disagree1 a layman c n 
be expect$ to view ! problem o!rwise ?an
 z a bus9ess proposition :i*1 dem&+     
solution1 mu/ be dispos$ ( by a /rictly 
imp>tial exam9ation ( ! facts4 ,weigh$ &
 te/$ by practical exp]i5ce 9 o!r fields
 ( comm]cial ent]prise1 x is probably n 
go+ too f> to say1 z 9 fact x has be5   
said1 t !re is entirely too mu* m]e     
eng9e]+ op9ion ^u ?is subject & n a     
well-def9$ conc5trat$ mass ( data &     
solid convictions4 ,x is equally true1 &
 %\ld be kept 9 m9d1 t ! "t giv5 by !   
,bo>d to ! consid]ation ( ! subject 9   
all its practical be>+s1 includ+ an     
exam9ation ( actual conditions on !     

,i/hmus1 0 limit$ to s %ort a p]iod t x 
w\ld be contr>y to all human exp]i5ce t 
?is report %\ld repres5t an infallible  
or f9al v]dict = or aga9/ ei!r ( ! two  
propositions4  ,x is necess>y to keep 9 
m9d c]ta9 facts :i* may be concisely    
/at$1 & :i* ,i d n ?9k h be5 previ\sly  
br\ght to ! att5tion ( ,congress4 ,:ile 
! ,bo>d _h be5 appo9t$ by ! ,presid5t on
 ,june #bd1 #aije1 ! fir/ bus9ess meet+ 
did n take place until ,septemb] #a/1 & 
! f9al meet+ ( ! full ,bo>d occurr$ on  
,novemb] #bd? ( ! same ye>4 ,?is 0 !    
tw5ty-sev5? meet+ dur+ a p]iod (        
eighty-five days1 aft] :i* !re 7 ?ree m 
meet+s ( ! ,am]ican memb]s1 ! la/ hav+  
be5 held on ,janu>y #ca1 #aijf4 ,?us !  
actual proce$+s ( ! full ,bo>d 7 cond5s$
 into tw5ty-sev5 meet+s dur+ less ?an   
?ree mon?s1 a "p ( :i* "t--or1 to be    
specific1 six days--0 sp5t on ! ,i/hmus4
  ,! m9utes ( ! proce$+s h be5 pr9t$ &  
=m a "p ( ! f9al report made to !       
,presid5t "u date ( ,janu>y #aj1 #aijf4 
,!y d n af=d z complete an insight into 

! bus9ess transactions ( ! ,bo>d z w\ld 
be desirable1 & ! evid5ce is want+ t !  
subject 0 z ?or\ghly discuss$ 9 all its 
details1 ) p>ticul> ref]5ce to ! two    
propositions ( a sea-level or a lock    
canal1 z w\ld seem necess>y4 ,v         
important features necess>y to !        
sea-level plan 7 treat$ 9 ! mo/         
sup]ficial way1 guess$ at1 or :olly     
ignor$4 ,i d n hesitate to say t no     
bank+ h\se 9 ! _w call$ ^u to provide   
funds necess>y = an ent]prise ( ?is     
magnitude z a private und]tak+ w\ld     
advance a s+le doll> ^u a project z x is
 "h pres5t$ by ! majority ( ! ,bo>d to !
 ,am]ican ,congress z ! f9al conclusion 
( eng9e]s ( ! highe/ /&+4 ,! ,bo>d1 z ,i
 h said1 divid$ ^u ! "q1 & by a majority
 ( eight pron\nc$ 9 favor ( a sea-level 
aga9/ a m9ority ( five 9 favor ( a lock 
canal4 ,let u inquire h[ ?is conclusion1
 ( mom5t\s importance to ! nation1 0    
arriv$ at & :e!r ! m9utes ( ! ,bo>d     
furni% a conclusive answ]4  ,z e>ly z ! 
six? meet+1 or on ,septemb] #af?--t is1 

aft] ! ,bo>d _h be5 only fifte5 days 9  
exi/5ce--a resolution 0 introduc$ by    
,mr4 ,hunt]1 *ief eng9e] ( ! ,man*e/]   
,%ip ,canal1 reque/+ t a special        
committee be appo9t$ to prep>e at once a
 project = a sea-level canal4  ,mr4     
,spoon]4--,:at 0 ! date ( ! resolution )
 respect to ! lock canal8  ,mr4         
,dryd54--,octob] #c;d1 sev5te5 days     
aft]w>ds4  ,9 m>k$ contra/1 x 0 n until 
aft] ! ,bo>d _h visit$ ! ,i/hmus & :ile 
! memb]s 7 on _! way home--t is1 at     
sea--on ,octob] #c;d1 t1 on motion (    
,mr4 ,/e>ns1 a correspond+ committee 0  
appo9t$ to prep>e plans = a lock canal4 
,! recital ( dates is ( v consid]able   
importance1 = x is evid5t t !re 0 a     
decid$ & e>ly pref]5ce on ! "p ( c]ta9  
memb]s ( ! ,bo>d = a sea-level canal1 & 
t to ?is p>ticul> project m att5tion 0  
giv5 & a m det]m9$ attempt 0 made to    
secure data 9 its def5se ?an to !       
correspond+ project = a lock canal4 ,t  
is to say1 :ile ! special committee = ! 
consid]ation ( a sea-level canal _h be5 

appo9t$ on ,septemb] #af?1 ! correspond+
 committee to consid] ! lock project 0 n
 appo9t$ until ,octob] #c;d1 or sev5te5 
days lat]1 ) ! additional disadvantage (
 ! ,bo>d be+ on ! ocean1 ) no           
opportunity to s5d = p]sons & pap]s dur+
 ! %ort p]iod ( "t rema9+ to take into  
due consid]ation all ! facts p]ta9+ to a
 lock canal1 =1 z ,i h said be=e1 ! la/ 
bus9ess meet+ 0 held on ,novemb] #bd?4  
,mr4 ,=ak]4--,mr4 ,presid5t----  ,!     
,vice ,presid5t4--,does ! ,s5ator f ,new
 ,j]sey yield to ! ,s5ator f ,ohio8     
,mr4 ,dryd54--,c]ta9ly4  ,mr4 ,=ak]4--,i
 w\ld l to ask ! ,s5ator :e!r on ! #af? 
( ,septemb]1 :5 ?is motion 0 made by    
,mr4 ,hunt]1 if ,i rememb] correctly1 ! 
,bo>d ( ,eng9e]s _h complet$ _!         
inve/igations & explorations on !       
,i/hmus8 ,i did n obs]ve4  ,mr4         
,dryd54--,no4  ,mr4 ,kittr$ge4--,mr4    
,presid5t----  ,! ,vice                 
,presid5t4--,does ! ,s5ator f ,new      
,j]sey yield to ! ,s5ator f ,s\?        
,dakota8  ,mr4 ,dryd54--,i yield4  ,mr4 

,kittr$ge4--,if ! ,s5ator f ,new ,j]sey 
w p]mit me1 ,i w be glad to answ] ! "q (
 ! ,s5ator f ,ohio4 ,! ,bo>d ( ,consult+
 ,eng9e]s sail$ f ,new ,york on ! #bh? (
 ,septemb] = ! ,i/hmus & return$ ab\t ! 
middle or #bj? ( ,octob]4  ,mr4         
,=ak]4--,sail$ f ! ,i/hmus8  ,mr4       
,kittr$ge4--,sail$ f ,new ,york = !     
,i/hmus4  ,mr4 ,=ak]4--,!n ! motion 0   
made by ,mr4 ,hunt] be=e ! ,bo>d (      
,eng9e]s left ! ,unit$ ,/ates4  ,mr4    
,kittr$ge4--,c]ta9ly2 to appo9t a       
committee ( inve/igation4  ,mr4         
,dryd54--,i %\ld l to say at ?is po9t t 
:ile ,i h gladly yield$ to ,s5ators1 ,i 
?9k x is q probable t be=e ,i get ?r\gh 
,i %all cov] any que/ions t may be ask$4
 ,i w\ld pref] to complete my rem>ks1 & 
!n ,i %all be v glad to answ] any       
que/ions t ,s5ators may *oose to ask4   
,mr4 ,=ak]4--,i beg p>don4  ,mr4        
,dryd54--,i 0 glad to yield to !        
,s5ator4  ,mr4 ,=ak]4--,! spee* is a v  
int]e/+ "o4         99       99       99
       99       99  ,mr4 ,dryd54--,!re  

is no?+ 9 ! m9utes ( ! ,bo>d :i*        
disclos$ t ei!r proposition receiv$ !   
necess>y delib]ate consid]ation ( !     
extremely complex & important details   
ent]+ into ! two respective projects1 b 
x is evid5t t1 reg>d+ ! sea-level       
proposition at lea/1 !re 0 a decid$ bias
 practically f ! outset1 :i* matur$ 9 ! 
majority report favor+ t proposition4   
,:at 0 9 ! m9ds ( ! memb]s1 :at 0 done  
outside ( ! ,bo>d meet+s1 by :at means  
or me?ods conclusions 7 rea*$1 has n be5
 made a matt] ( record & is n1 !re=e1 )9
 ! k ( ,congress4  ,x is true t !       
respective reports ( ! two committees 7 
br\ght be=e ! ,bo>d z a :ole on ,novemb]
 #ad? & t ! subject 0 discuss$ at "s    
l5g? on ,novemb] #ah?1 :5 ea* memb] ( ! 
,bo>d express$ 8 views = or aga9/ "o ( !
 two projects4 ,b !re rema9$ only t5    
days be=e ! la/ bus9ess meet+ ( ! ,bo>d 
0 held1 :5 ! =eign memb]s sail$ = home4 
,! f9al reports1 z !y are n[ be=e       
,congress1 app>5tly nev] receiv$ ! prop]
 & ext5d$ consid]ation ( ! ,bo>d z a    

:ole1 & ! m9ority report favor+ a lock  
canal seems nev] to h be5 discuss$ ^u   
its m]its at all4 ,:5 ,i recall ! v     
diff]5t proc$ure ( ! te*nical commission
 appo9t$ by ! ,new ,panama ,canal       
,company1 :i* ext5d$ its consid]ation ( 
! subject f ,febru>y #c1 #ahif1 to      
,septemb] #h1 #ahih1 dur+ :i* "t        
n9ety-sev5 /at$ meet+s & a l>ge numb] ( 
in=mal meet+s 7 held1 ,i say1 x seems to
 me1 f a practical bus9ess po9t ( view1 
ca/+ no reflection ^u ei!r ! ability or 
! fairness ( judgm5t ( ! memb]s ( !     
,int]national ,bo>d1 t ! m]e elem5t ( "t
 %\ld weigh decid$ly 9 favor ( ! v]dict 
( ! te*nical commission ( #ahih1 :i* 0  
unanim\s = a lock canal4  ,( ! te*nical 
commission ( #ahif-ahih1 ,mr4 ,hunt]1   
*ief eng9e] ( ! ,man*e/] ,%ip ,canal1 0 
a memb]1 & he at t "t1 )\t a ^w (       
diss5t1 jo9$ ! o!r memb]s 9 giv+ !      
unanim\s & emphatic expression ( !      
committee 9 favor ( a lock canal4  ,mr4 
,tell]4--,mr4 ,presid5t----  ,! ,vice   
,presid5t4--,does ! ,s5ator f ,new      

,j]sey yield to ! ,s5ator f ,colorado8  
,mr4 ,dryd54--,c]ta9ly4  ,mr4           
,tell]4--,w ! ,s5ator k9dly repeat !    
date ( t8  ,mr4 ,dryd54--,( ! te*nical  
commission ( #ahif-ahih1 ,mr4 ,hunt]1 ! 
*ief eng9e] ( ! ,man*e/] ,canal1 0 a    
memb]4 ,! te*nical commission 0 ( ! new 
,fr5* company4  ,mr4 ,tell]4--,y ref] to
 ! commission ( ! new ,fr5* company8    
,mr4 ,dryd54--,yes1 sir2 ! commission ( 
! new ,fr5* company4  ,:y he %\ld n[    
*ange 8 views & convictions & :y he %\ld
 n[ be s emphatic & pron\nc$ 9 favor ( a
 sea-level project is n set =? 9 any?+ t
 has be5 pr9t$ or be5 communicat$ to !  
,s5ate ,committee on ,int]oceanic       
,canals4 ,?is hurri$ action1 ?is scanty 
consid]ation1 z ,i h /at$1 is !         
f\ndation ^u :i* ! advocates ( !        
sea-level plan re/ _! appeal = support4 
,?is is ! report & ! evid5ce ^u :i*     
,congress is reque/$ to pron\nce 9 favor
 ( a sea-level project & give its       
indorsem5t to a plan :i* w involve !    
c\ntry 9 at lea/ #ajj1jjj1jjj (         

additional exp5diture & :i* w delay !   
op5+ ( ! canal = practical purposes (   
navigation possibly = t5 ye>s or m aft] 
! lock canal c be f9i%$ & op5$ = use4   
,! ,i/hmian ,commission re/ates c]ta9   
po9ts 9 a cle> & precise way1 :i* leaves
 no escape f ! conclusion t bo? z to "t 
& co/ ! majority memb]s ( ! ,bo>d       
mat]ially und]e/imat$ important factors1
 & t !y h e reason to believe t ! total 
e/imate ( co/ ( a sea-level canal %\ld  
be rais$ to #bgb1jjj1jjj1 & t ! e/imate 
( "t = con/ruction %\ld be increas$ to  
at lea/ fifte5 & a half ye>s4 ,b "u     
c]ta9 readily conceivable conditions x  
is practically c]ta9 t ! con/ruction ( a
 sea-level canal w consume n less ?an   
tw5ty ye>s4  ,! ,i/hmian ,commission    
reexam9$ c>efully ! "q ( relative       
effici5cy ( ! propos$ sea-level canal   
comp>$ ) a lock canal1 & !y pron\nce    
emphatically & unequivocally 9 favor ( !
 lock project4 ,!y consid] t ! assum$   
dang] f accid5ts to locks by pass+      
vessels or o!rwise is greatly exagg]at$1

 & hold t :ile no d\bt accid5ts may     
occur1 & possibly w occur1 su* dang]s c 
& w be suffici5tly gu>d$ aga9/ by an    
effective me?od ( sup]vision & control4 
,!y hold t a lock canal prop]ly         
con/ruct$ & manag$ is 9 no s5se a m5ace 
to ! safety ( vessels1 & t mu* practical
 exp]i5ce & p>ticul>ly ! half-c5tury (  
successful op]ation ( ! ,soo ,canal h   
demon/rat$ ! contr>y beyond dispute4 ,!y
 po9t out t ! canal ) locks at a level (
 eighty-five feet w be a wat]way ?ree   
times ! size1 9 navigable area1 ( !     
project$ sea-level canal1 &1 omitt+ !   
locks f consid]ation1 w !re=e af=d ?ree 
times ! %ipp+ facilities4  ,!y %[ t 9 ! 
sea-level canal !re w be _m & s]i\s     
curves1 :ile 9 ! lock canal ! c\rses are
 /raight & *anges ( direction w be made 
at int]sect+ tang5ts1 ! same z 9 our    
riv] navigation1 9 :i* s]i\s accid5ts   
are practically unkn[n4 ,!y %[ t !      
c\rses 9 a lock canal c be m>k$ ) ranges
 :i* w greatly facilitate navigation1   
p>ticul>ly at night4 ,! ,commission     

po9ts out t ! argum5t ( ! majority ( !  
,bo>d1 t locks w limit ! traffic        
capacity ( ! canal1 c>ries v little if  
any weight1 & !y ref] to ! exp]i5ce ( ! 
,soo ,canal1 ?r\gh :i* !re passes       
annually a l>g] traffic ?an ?r\gh all ! 
o!r %ip canals ( ! _w comb9$4  ,f9ally1 
! ,i/hmian ,commission discusses ! co/ (
 op]ation & ma9t5ance4 ,! majority ( !  
,bo>d submit no details ^u ?is mo/      
important item 9 canal con/ruction &    
subsequ5t op]ation4 ,:at bank+ h\se 9 ! 
_w w\ld advance a s+le doll> ^u a canal 
or railway project ^u a m]e /atem5t ( ! 
probable ultimate co/1 b ) no           
correspond+ in=mation z to co/ (        
ma9t5ance & op]ation6 ,hav+ be5 appo9t$ 
to reexam9e into all ! facts1 &1 s to   
speak1 to reconsid] ! entire project1 ! 
majority s]i\sly err$ 9 omitt+ f _!     
report ! necess>y data & calculations = 
an accurate & tru/wor?y e/imate ( ! co/ 
( op]ation & ma9t5ance ( a sea-level    
canal4  ,f ?is po9t ( view & 9 ! light (
 ! facts z pres5t$ by ! ,bo>d = or aga9/

 ei!r project1 ! ,i/hmian ,commission   
c\ld n consi/5tly act o!rwise ?an to    
give _! f9al approval to ! m specific & 
practical recomm5dations ( ! m9ority    
memb]s ( ! ,bo>d1 & !y prop]ly say t x  
appe>s t ! canal propos$ by ! m9ority ( 
! ,bo>d ( ,consult+ ,eng9e]s c be built 
9 half ! "t & = a little m ?an half ( ! 
co/ ( ! canal propos$ by ! majority ( ! 
,bo>d4 ,!y advance a numb] ( specific   
reasons :y a lock canal :5 complet$ w = 
all practical purposes--comm]cial1      
milit>y1 & naval--be a bett] canal ?an a
 sea-level wat]way ) a tidal lock1 z    
propos$ by ! majority memb]s ( ! ,bo>d4 
,! report ( ! ,bo>d 0 c>efully &        
critically exam9$ by ,*ief ,eng9e]      
,/ev5s1 ( ! ,i/hmian ,commission & 9    
actual *>ge ( eng9e]+ matt]s on !       
,i/hmus4 ,mr4 ,/ev5s is a man ( v l>ge  
practical ,am]ican eng9e]+ exp]i5ce1 &  
he adds to ! f9d+ ( ! ,commission !     
weight ( 8 au?ority1 decid$ly &         
unequivocally 9 favor ( a lock canal4   
,he /ates z ! sum ( 8 conclusions t1 all

 ?+s consid]$1 ! lock or high-level     
canal is pref]able to ! sea-level type1 
s-call$1 = ! reason t x w provide a saf]
 & quick] passage = %ips2 t x w provide 
beyond "q ! be/ solution ( ! vital      
problem ( h[ safely to c>e = ! flood    
wat]s ( ! ,*agres & o!r /reams2 t       
provision is (f]$ 9 ! lock project =    
enl>g+ its capacity to almo/ any ext5t  
at v mu* less exp5se ( "t & money ?an c 
be provid$ = by any sea-level plan2 t   
its co/ ( op]ation1 ma9t5ance1 & fix$   
*>ges1 includ+ int]e/1 w be v mu* less  
?an any sea-level canal1 & t ! "t & co/ 
( its con/ruction w n be m ?an "o-half t
 ( a canal ( ! sea-level type2 t ! lock 
project w p]mit ( navigation by night2 &
 t1 f9ally1 ev5 at ! same co/ 9 "t &    
money1 ,mr4 ,/ev5s w\ld favor ! adoption
 ( ! high-level lock canal plan 9       
pref]5ce to t ( ! propos$ sea-level     
canal4  ,to ^! obs]vations & comm5ts !  
,secret>y ( ,w>1 "u ^: sup]vision ?is   
great "w is go+ on1 adds 8 op9ion1 :i*  
is decid$ly & unequivocally 9 favor ( a 

lock canal4 ,9 8 lett] to ! ,presid5t1  
,mr4 ,taft goes into all ! important    
details ( ! subject & reveals a ma/]ly  
grasp ( ! situation z x confronts !     
,am]ican p at ! pres5t "t4 ,he calls    
att5tion to ! fact t lock navigation is 
n an exp]im5t2 t all ! locks 9 ! propos$
 canal are duplicat$1 !reby m9imiz+ su* 
dang]s z are inh]5t 9 any canal project1
 & he adds t exp]i5ce %[s t ) prop]     
plans & regulations ! dang]s are mu* m  
imag9>y ?an real4 ,he goes into ! facts 
( ! propos$ great dam to be con/ruct$ at
 ,gatun & po9ts out t su* con/ruction is
 n exp]im5tal1 b su/a9$ by l>ge ,am]ican
 exp]i5ce1 :i* is l>g]1 p]haps1 ?an t ( 
any o!r c\ntry 9 ! _w4 ,he gives 8      
indorsem5t to ! views ( ! ,i/hmian      
,commission & its *ief eng9e] t !       
e/imat$ co/ ( "t & money = complet+ a   
sea-level canal is n correctly /at$ by !
 majority memb]s ( ! ,bo>d1 & t ! co/1 9
 all probability1 w be at lea/          
#be1jjj1jjj m1 :ile1 9 8 op9ion1 eighte5
 to tw5ty ye>s w be necess>y to complete

 ! sea-level project4 ,he also holds t !
 milit>y advantages w be decid$ly 9     
favor ( a lock canal4  ,?is is          
practically ! pres5t /atus ( facts &    
op9ions reg>d+ ! canal problem z x is n[
 be=e ,congress1 except t s9ce ,janu>y !
 ,s5ate ,committee on ,int]oceanic      
,canals has collect$ a l>ge mass (      
additional & valuable te/imony4 ,re/at+ 
! facts 9 a some:at diff]5t way1        
,congress is ask$ to give its f9al      
approval to ! sea-level proposition1    
*iefly favor$ by =eign]s1 & to give its 
disapproval to ! project ( a lock canal1
 favor$ by ,am]ican eng9e]s4 ,congress  
is ask$ to rely 9 ! ma9 ^u ! exp]i5ce   
ga9$ 9 ! managem5t ( ! ,suez ,canal1 :]e
 ! conditions are ess5tially &          
fundam5tally diff]5t f :at !y are or ev]
 w be on ! ,i/hmus ( ,panama1 & to      
disreg>d ! m ?an fifty ye>s' exp]i5ce 9 
! successful managem5t ( ! lock canals  
connect+ ! ,great ,lakes4 ,congress is  
ask$ to pron\nce aga9/ ! lock canal     
because 9 ! managem5t ( ! %ip canal at  

,man*e/] sev]al accid5ts h occurr$1 due 
to c>elessness or ignorance 9           
navigation1 & we are ask$ to disreg>d ! 
successful record ( ! ,soo ,canal1 9 !  
managem5t ( :i* only ?ree accid5ts1 ( no
 v s]i\s importance1 h occurr$ dur+ m   
?an fifty ye>s4  ,9 no o!r c\ntry 9 ! _w
 has !re be5 m exp]i5ce ) lock canals   
?an 9 ?is4 ,= ne>ly a hundr$ ye>s !     
,erie ,canal has be5 "o ( our mo/       
successful ( inl& wat]ways1 connect+ !  
ocean ) ! ,great ,lakes4 ,! ,erie ,canal
 is #chg miles 9 l5g?1 has #gb locks1 & 
is n[ be+ enl>g$1 to accommodate b>ges (
 a ?\s& tons1 at a co/ ( #aja1jjj1jjj4  
,we h ! ,ohio ,canal1 ) #aej locks2 !   
,miami & ,erie ,canal1 ) #ic locks2 !   
,p5nsylvania ,canal1 ) #ga locks2 !     
,*esapeake & ,ohio ,canal1 ) #gc locks2 
& num]\s o!r inl& wat]ways ( less]      
importance4 ,x is a "q ( degree & n (   
k9d1 = ! problem is ! same 9 all        
ess5tials1 & confronts ,congress z mu* 9
 ! propos$ deep wat]way connect+        
tide-wat] ) ! ,great ,lakes1 9 :i* locks

 are propos$ ) a lift ( #dj feet or m1  
or v consid]ably 9 excess ( ! propos$   
lift ( ! locks on ! ,i/hmian ,canal4  ,!
 propos$ %ip canal f ,lake ,erie to !   
,ohio ,riv] provides = #cd locks4 ,!    
sugge/$ canal f ,lake ,mi*igan to !     
,ill9ois & ,mississippi riv]s provides =
 #cg locks1 &1 f9ally1 ! project$ %ip   
canal f ! ,/4 ,lawr5ce ,riv] to ,lake   
,huron contemplates #bb locks4 ,s t lock
 canals ( exceptional magnitude are n   
only 9 exi/5ce1 b new canals ( ?is type 
are contemplat$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates &     
,canada4  ,9 o!r words1 ,congress is    
ask$ to reg>d ) pref]5ce ! judgm5t &    
op9ions ( =eign eng9e]s & to disreg>d ! 
judgm5t & op9ions ( ,am]ican eng9e]s4   
,we are s]i\sly ask$ to completely      
disreg>d ,am]ican op9ion1 z voic$ by !  
,i/hmian ,commission1 responsible = !   
ent]prise z a :ole2 z voic$ by !        
,secret>y ( ,w>1 responsible = ! "t be+ 
= ! prop] execution ( ! "w2 z voic$ by  
,*ief ,eng9e] ,/ev5s1 :o /&s =emo/ among
 ,am]icans 9 8 pr(ession2 & f9ally1 z   

voic$ by all ! eng9e]s n[ on ! ,i/hmus1 
:o h a practical k ( ! actual           
conditions1 & :o are z ?or\ghly famili> 
z any class ( m5 ) ! problems :i*       
confront u & ) ! conditions :i* w h to  
be met4 ,i = "o1 leav+ out (            
consid]ation = ! pres5t details :i* are 
subject to modification & *ange1 believe
 t x w be a fatal error = ! nation to   
commit itself to ! practically hopeless 
& vision>y sea-level project & to delay 
= _m ye>s ! op5+ ( ?is mu* ne$$ wat]way 
connect+ ! ,atlantic ) ! ,pacific4 ,i = 
"o am oppos$ to a wa/e ( untold millions
 & to additional burd5s ( ne$less       
taxation1 :ile ! project ( a lock canal 
(f]s e practical advantage1 (f]s a canal
 )9 a reasonable p]iod ( "t & at a      
reasonable co/1 (f]s a wat]way ( enorm\s
 advantage to ,am]ican %ipp+1 ( !       
greate/ possible value to ! nation 9 !  
ev5t ( w>1 & ! opportunity = ! ,am]ican 
p to c>ry into execution at ! e>lie/    
possible mom5t :at has be5 call$ ! dream
 ( navigators1 & :at has ?us f> defi$ ! 

eng9e]+ skill ( ,european nations4  ,b 9
 addition to ! evid5ce pres5t$ = or     
aga9/ a sea-level or lock canal project 
by ! two conflict+ reports ( ! ,bo>d (  
,consult+ ,eng9e]s1 !re is n[ available 
a v consid]able mass ( te/imony (       
,am]ican eng9e]s :o 7 call$ z witnesses 
be=e ! ,s5ate ,committee on ,int]oceanic
 ,canals4 ,! te/imony has be5 pr9t$ z a 
sep>ate docum5t & makes a volume ( ne>ly
 a ?\s& pages4 ,mu* ( ?is evid5ce is    
conflict+1 mu* ( x is m]e eng9e]+       
op9ion1 mu* ( x comes p]il\sly ne> to   
be+ eng9e]+ guesswork1 b a l>ge "p ( x  
is ( practical value & may safely be    
reli$ ^u to guide ! ,congress 9 an ef=t 
to arrive at a f9al & correct conclusion
 respect+ ! type ( canal be/ adapt$ to  
our ne$s & requirem5ts4  ,a critical    
exam9ation & review ( ?is te/imony1 z   
pres5t$ to ! ,s5ate ,committee f day to 
day = ne>ly five mon?s1 includ+ !       
te/imony ( adm9i/rative (fic]s & o!rs1  
relat+ to ,panama ,canal affairs        
g5]ally1 is n practicable at ?is /age ( 

! session4 ,among o!rs1 ! committee     
exam9$ ,mr4 ,john ,f4 ,/ev5s1 *ief      
eng9e]1 ^u all ! ess5tial po9ts 9       
controv]sy1 reg>d+ :i*1 9 ! light (     
additional exp]i5ce & a v consid]able   
am\nt ( new & m exact in=mation1 ,mr4   
,/ev5s reaffirms 8 convictions 9 favor (
 ! practicability & sup]ior advantages (
 a lock canal4  ,9 opposition to ! views
 & conclusions ( ,mr4 ,/ev5s1 ,pr(4     
,william ,h4 ,burr pron\nc$ himself     
emphatically 9 favor ( ! sea-level      
project4 ,z a memb] ( ! =m] ,i/hmian    
,commission1 report+ ^u ! type ( canal1 
,mr4 ,burr _h sign$ ! report 9 favor ( !
 lock project1 b z a memb] ( ! ,bo>d (  
,consult+ ,eng9e]s he _h sid$ ) !       
majority favor+ ! sea-level canal4 ,?us 
eng9e]+ op9ion is z apt z any o!r human 
op9ion to und]go a *ange1 & !           
convictions ( "o ye> 9 favor ( a        
proposition may *ange into opposite     
convictions1 favor+ an opposite         
proposition1 only a few ye>s lat]4 ,mr4 
,william ,b>clay ,p>sons1 also a memb] (

 ! ,bo>d ( ,consult+ ,eng9e]s1 :o _h    
sign$ ! report 9 favor ( ! sea-level    
project1 gave fur!r evid5ce be=e !      
committee1 re/at+ 8 views & convictions 
9 favor ( ! sea-level type4 ,mr4        
,william ,noble1 an eng9e] ( l>ge       
exp]i5ce1 = "s ye>s 9 *>ge ( ! ,soo     
,canal1 & :o1 z a memb] ( ! ,bo>d (     
,consult+ ,eng9e]s1 _h sign$ ! report 9 
favor ( a lock project1 re/ates 8 views 
& convictions 9 favor ( a lock canal4   
,mr4 ,noble _h also be5 a memb] ( !     
,i/hmian ,commission ( #aijb1 report+ at
 t "t 9 favor ( a lock canal4  ,mr4     
,fr$]ick ,p4 ,/e>ns1 ! =emo/ ,am]ican   
au?ority on e>?-dam con/ruction1 gave   
evid5ce reg>d+ ! safety ( ! propos$ dams
 at ,gatun & o!r po9ts4 ,8 views &      
conclusions are bas$ ^u l>ge practical  
exp]i5ce & a pr(\nd !oretical k ( !     
subject4 ,mr4 ,/e>ns _h also be5 a memb]
 ( ! ,consult+ ,bo>d ( ,eng9e]s & z su* 
_h sign$ ! report ( ! m9ority 9 favor ( 
! lock project4 ,he reaffirm$ 8 views   
favor+ a lock canal ) a dam at ,gatun4  

,mr4 ,john ,f4 ,wallace1 =m] *ief       
eng9e]1 gave te/imony 9 favor ( !       
sea-level type & /rongly oppos$ ! lock  
project4 ,col4 ,oswald ,h4 ,ern/1 ,unit$
 ,/ates ,army1 ?an :om probably few are 
m ?or\ghly famili> ) conditions on !    
,i/hmus & ! entire project ( canal      
con/ruction1 decl>$ himself to be       
/rongly 9 favor ( ! lock-canal project4 
,g54 ,pet] ,c4 ,ha9s1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,army1 equally well qualifi$ to express 
an op9ion on ! subject 9 all its        
important po9ts1 pron\nc$ himself       
/rongly & unequivocally 9 favor ( a lock
 canal4  ,illu/ration3 ,,panama ,,canal 
,,zone  ,illu/ration3 ,,pr(ile ,,(      
,,canal  ,g54 ,h5ry ,l4 ,abbot1 ,unit$  
,/ates ,army1 "o ( ! highe/ au?orities  
on riv] hydraulics1 ?or\ghly famili> )  
,mississippi ,riv] flood problems1 a =m]
 memb] ( ! ,int]national ,te*nical      
,commission1 ( ! ,new ,panama ,canal    
,company1 & = a "t its consult+ eng9e]1 
a memb] ( diff]5t ,i/hmian commissions1 
& also a memb] ( ! consult+ bo>d1       

reemphasiz$ 8 conviction1 su/a9$ by mu* 
valuable evid5ce1 9 favor ( ! lock-canal
 project4 ,g5]al ,abbot1 z a memb] ( !  
consult+ bo>d1 _h sign$ ! report ( !    
m9ority 9 favor ( a lock canal4 ,g54    
,george ,w4 ,davis1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,army1
 = a "t gov]nor ( ! ,canal ,zone &      
presid5t ( ! ,int]national ,bo>d (      
,consult+ ,eng9e]s1 re/at$ 8 views &    
convictions z oppos$ to ! lock-canal    
type & 9 favor ( ! sea-level project4 ,!
 la/ witness1 ,mr4 ,b4,m4 ,h>rod1 an    
eng9e] ( l>ge exp]i5ce1 = _m ye>s       
connect$ ) levee con/ruction & famili> )
 ! flood problems ( ! ,mississippi      
,riv]1 submitt$ a /atem5t 9 :i* he      
re/at$ 8 views 9 favor ( a lock canal4  
,s t1 summ+ up ! evid5ce ( twelve       
eng9e]s exam9$ be=e ! committee 7includ+
 ,mr4 ,l9don ,w4 ,bates71 !re 7 eight   
,am]ican eng9e]s /rongly & unequivocally
 9 favor ( a lock canal1 :ile f\r       
express$ _! views to ! contr>y4         
,subject+ ! mass ( te/imony to a        
critical exam9ation1 ,i _c draw any o!r 

conclusion or arrive at any o!r         
conviction ?an t ! lock project1 9 !    
light ( ! facts & l>ge exp]i5ce1 has    
decid$ly ! advantage ov] ! sea-level    
proposition4 ,& ?is view is /r5g!n$ by !
 fact t ! op9ion ( ! eng9e]s mo/        
compet5t to judge--t is1 m5 l ,mr4      
,noble1 :o has ?or\ghly /udi$ lock-canal
 con/ruction1 managem5t1 & navigation1  
:o z a memb] ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,deep    
,wat]way ,commission reexam9$ probably z
 ?or\ghly z any liv+ au?ority into !    
entire subject ( ! me*anics & practice (
 lock canals--is emphatically oppos$ to 
! sea-level proposition4  ,:5 a man l   
,mr4 ,/e>ns1 ( national & int]national  
reputation z a wat]works eng9e]1 :o = _m
 ye>s has be5 9 *>ge ( ! ext5sive       
con/ruction "w ( ! ,massa*usetts        
,metropolitan ,wat] & ,sew]age ,bo>d1 & 
:o probably has z l>ge a practical &    
!oretical k ( e>?-dam con/ruction z any 
liv+ au?ority1 decl>es himself to be    
/rongly 9 favor ( ! lock project &      
believes 9 ! entire safety ( ! dams     

requir$ 9 connection !re)1 ,i hold t su*
 a judgm5t may be reli$ ^u & t x %\ld   
gov]n 9 national affairs z x w\ld gov]n 
9 private affairs if ! canal con/ruction
 7 a bus9ess ent]prise & involv$ ! risk 
( private capital4 ,:5 we f9d a man l   
,mr4 ,h>rod1 :o = _m ye>s has be5 9 *>ge
 ( levee con/ruction 9 ,l\isiana1       
?or\ghly famili> ) ! !ory & practice (  
riv] & flood control1 express himself 9 
favor ( ! lock project & 9 opposition to
 ! sea-level canal1 ,i hold t we may )  
entire confid5ce accept 8 judgm5t z a   
gov]n+ pr9ciple 9 arriv+ at a f9al      
decision respect+ ! type ( ! canal to be
 f9ally fix$ by ! ,congress4  ,&1 go+   
back to ! m9ority report ( ! ,bo>d (    
,consult+ ,eng9e]s1 we f9d t ,mr4       
,joseph ,ripley1 ! g5]al sup]9t5d5t at  
pres5t 9 *>ge ( ! ,soo ,canal1 & ,mr4   
,i%am ,r&olph1 *ief eng9e] ( ! sanit>y  
di/rict ( ,*icago1 & ?or\ghly famili> ) 
canal con/ruction & managem5t1 bo?      
,am]ican eng9e]s ( mu* exp]i5ce & high  
/&+1 pron\nce !mselves 9 favor ( a lock 

canal4 ,:5 confront$ by ^! facts1 ,i =  
"o w\ld rely ^u ,am]ican eng9e]s1       
,am]ican conviction & ,am]ican exp]i5ce1
 & accept ! lock-canal proposition4  ,9 
?is matt]1 z 9 all o!r practical        
problems1 we may safely take ! bus9ess  
po9t ( view1 & calculate )\t bias or    
prejudice ! respective advantages &     
disadvantages2 & ! m ?or\gh ! me?od (   
reason+ & logic appli$ to ! canal       
problem ! m emphatic & incontrov]tible !
 conclusion t ! ,congress %\ld decide 9 
favor ( a plan :i* w give u a navigable 
wat]way across ! ,i/hmus )9 a measurable
 di/ance ( "t & ) a reasonable          
exp5diture ( money1 z oppos$ to a       
vision>y !ory ( an ideal canal :i* may  
ultimately be con/ruct$1 possibly = !   
exclusive b5efit ( future g5]ations1 b  
at an enorm\s wa/e ( money1 "t1 &       
opportunity4 ,i d n ?9k we want to      
repeat at ?is late /age ( ! canal       
problem ! fatal error ( ,de ,lesseps1   
:o1 :5 he _h ! opportunity 9 #ahgi to   
make a *oice ( a practical wat]way1 be+ 

influ5c$ by 8 great success at ,suez1 ^u
 ! mo/ fragm5t>y evid5ce & 9 ! abs5ce ( 
def9ite k ( actual conditions1 decid$   
be=eh& 9 favor ( a sea-level canal4 ,x 0
 l>gely 8 bias & prejudice :i* prov$    
fatal to ! ent]prise & to himself4  ,i  
may recall t ! s-call$ int]national     
congress ( #ahgi 0 a m]e subt]fuge2 t ! 
op9ions ( em95t eng9e]s1 includ+ all !  
,am]icans1 7 oppos$ to a sea-level      
project & 9 favor ( a lock canal1 b ,de 
,lesseps _h made 8 plans1 he _h arriv$  
at 8 decision1 & 9 8 own words1 at a    
meet+ ( ! ,am]ican ,society ( ,civil    
,eng9e]s held 9 ,janu>y1 #ahhj1 said1 ,i
 w\ld h put my hat on & walk$ out if any
 o!r plan ?an a sea-level canal project 
_h be5 adopt$4  ,! situation to-day is v
 simil> to ! critical /ate ( ! canal "q 
9 #aijb4 ,:at 0 !n a "q ( *oice ( r\te  
is to-day a "q ( *oice ( plan4 ,:at 0 !n
 a geographical conflict is to-day a    
conflict ( eng9e]+ op9ions4 ,x has be5  
made cle> by ! ref]5ce to ! report ( !  
,bo>d ( ,consult+ ,eng9e]s & by !       

te/imony ( ! eng9e]s be=e ! ,s5ate      
committee t ! op9ion ( em95t exp]ts is s
 widely at v>iance t !re is little1 if  
any1 hope ( an ultimate reconciliation4 
,x is a *oice ( "o plan or ! o!r--( a   
sea-level or a lock canal4 ,9 respect to
 ei!r plan a mass ( te/imony & data     
exi/s1 :i* has be5 br\ght =w>d to su/a9 
"o view or ! o!r4 ,9 respect to ei!r    
plan !re are advantages & disadvantages4
 ,! majority ( ! ,s5ate ,committee on   
,int]oceanic ,canals h report$ favorably
 a bill provid+ = ! con/ruction ( a     
canal at sea level4 ,f ?is majority     
op9ion ! m9ority ( ! committee          
emphatically & unequivocally diss5t1 & 9
 _! report !y express !mselves 9 favor (
 ! lock canal4  ,! m9ority report calls 
att5tion to ! *ang$ conditions &        
requirem5ts1 :i* n[ dem& a canal ( mu*  
l>g] dim5sions ?an orig9ally propos$4   
,ev5 z late z #aija ! dep? ( ! canal    
prism 0 to be only #ce feet1 aga9/ #dj  
to #de feet 9 ! project ( only five ye>s
 lat]4 ,! bottom wid? has be5 increas$ f

 #aej to #bjj feet & ov]4 ,! l5g? ( !   
locks has be5 *ang$ f #gdj to #ijj feet1
 & ! wid? f #hd to #ij feet4 ,^! facts  
mu/ be kept 9 m9d1 = !y be> ^u !        
que/ions ( "t & co/1 & a sea-level or   
lock canal1 z propos$ to-day1 is 9 all  
respects a v mu* l>g] affair1 dem&+ v   
sup]ior facilities = traffic1 ?an any   
previ\s canal project ev] sugge/$ or    
propos$4 ,?is *ange 9 plans 0 made      
necess>y by ! ,spoon] act1 :i* provides 
= a canal ( su* dim5sions t ! l>ge/ %ip 
n[ build+1 or likely to be built )9 a   
reasonable p]iod ( "t1 c be accommodat$4
  ,n[1 ! e/imat$ sav+ 9 money alone by  
adopt+ ! lock plan--t is1 on ! orig9al  
inve/m5t1 to say no?+ ( accumulat+      
int]e/ *>ges--w\ld be at lea/           
#ajj1jjj1jjj4 ,grant+ all t is said 9   
favor ( a sea-level canal1 x is n app>5t
 by any evid5ce produc$ t su* a canal   
w\ld prove a mat]ial advantage ov] a    
lock canal4 ,all its assum$ advantages  
are entirely (fset by ! va/ly great] co/
 & long] p]iod ( "t necess>y =          

con/ruction1 & ,i am confid5t t !y w\ld 
n be consid]$ = a mom5t if ! canal 7    
built z a comm]cial ent]prise4 ,i d n   
?9k t !y %\ld hold good :]e ! canal is !
 "w ( ! nation1 because a va/ sum (     
money o!rwise ne$$ w be ev5tually sunk  
if ! sea-level project is adopt$1 &     
entirely ^u ! !ory t if c]ta9 conditions
 %\ld arise !n x w\ld be bett] to h a   
sea-level ?an a lock canal4 ,we h nev]  
be=e proce$$ 9 national und]tak+s ^u su*
 an assumption2 we h nev] be=e1 z f> z  
,i "k1 delib]ately disreg>d$ e pr9ciple 
( economy 9 money & "t2 we h nev] be=e 9
 national projects attempt$ to con=m to 
m]ely !oretical ideas1 b we h always    
adh]$ to practical1 h>d common-s5se     
notions ( :at is be/ "u ! circum/ances4 
,! majority ( ! committee attack !      
proposition t ! propos$ lock canal w h  
locks ) dim5sions f> exce$+ any t h ev] 
be5 made4 ,if ?is pr9ciple 7 adopt$ 9 e 
o!r l9e ( human ef=t all advancem5t w\ld
 come to an end--ev5 ! canal ent]prise  
itself--=1 z x /&s to-day1 x f> exce$s 9

 magnitude any correspond+ ef=t ev] made
 by ?is or any o!r nation4 ,!y say t !  
propos$ flight ( ?ree locks at ,gatun   
w\ld be objectionable & unsafe1 b we h !
 evid5ce ( ,am]ican eng9e]s ( ! highe/  
/&+1 ^: reputations are at /ake1 :o are 
absolutely confid5t t ^! locks c be     
con/ruct$ & op]at$ ) entire safety4 ,!  
committee say t ! entry ?r\gh & exit f  
^! contigu\s locks is att5d$ ) v great  
dang] to ! lock gates & to ! %ips z     
well2 b if m]e inh]5t dang] ( possible  
accid5ts 7 an objection !re w\ld be no  
great /eam%ips1 no great battle%ips1 no 
great bridges & tunnels1 no great       
und]tak+s ( any k9d4  ,! committee po9t 
out t accid5ts h occurr$ 9 ! ,soo ,canal
 & 9 ! ,man*e/] ,%ip ,canal2 b !        
conditions1 9 ! fir/ place1 7 decid$ly  
diff]5t1 &1 9 ! second place1 !y prov$ (
 no s]i\s consequ5ce z a h9drance to    
traffic & did no mat]ial injury to !    
canal4 ,! ,soo ,canal has be5 9 op]ation
 z a lock canal = "s fifty ye>s2 x has  
be5 enl>g$ f "t to "t1 & to-day         

accommodates a l>g] traffic ?an passes  
?r\gh all o!r %ip canals ( ! _w comb9$4 
,x is a suffici5t answ] to ! objections 
to say t ?is exp]i5ce %\ld h a det]m9+  
influ5ce 9 arriv+ at a conclusion1 = !  
inh]5t problems ( lock-canal con/ruction
 are z well und]/ood by ,am]ican eng9e]s
 z any o!r problems or que/ions 9       
eng9e]+ sci5ce4 ,! propos$ deep wat]way 
) a #cj-;foot *annel f ,*icago to       
tide-wat]1 :i* has be5 survey$ by       
direction ( ,congress1 proposes an      
exp5diture ( #cjc1jjj1jjj1 & sev]al     
locks ) a lift ( #dj feet or m4 ,!      
enl>gem5t ( ! ,erie ,canal by ! ,/ate ( 
,new ,york1 at an exp5diture (          
#aja1jjj1jjj1 involves eng9e]+ problems1
 includ+ lock con/ruction1 n ess5tially 
diff]5t f ^? inh]5t 9 ! lock-canal      
project at ,panama2 & if ^! problems c  
be solv$ by our eng9e]s at home1 x /&s  
to reason t we may rely ^u _! judgm5t t 
!y c be solv$ at ,panama4  ,! majority (
 ! ,s5ate committee object to ! propos$ 
dam at ,gatun1 & say t--       ,e>? dams

 f\nd$ on ! drift & silt ( ages1 ?r\gh  
:i*      wat] habitually p]colates1 to  
be increas$ by ! pressure ( !           
#he-;foot lock :5 made1 h be5 ref]r$ to 
by _m ( our      te*nical advis]s z     
ano!r elem5t ( dang]4 ,! va/ masses (   
e>? pil$ on ?is alluvial base to !      
height ( #ace feet w      c]ta9ly       
settle1 & z ! drift mat]ial ( ?is base  
or      f\ndation has v>y+ dep?1 to #bej
 feet or m1 ! settlem5t      ( ! new    
mass1 z well z its base1 w be unequal1 &
 x is      pr$ict$ t cracks & fissures 9
 ! dam w be =m$1 :i*      w be rea*$ &  
us$ by ! wat] "u ! pressure above       
m5tion$1 & w cause ! de/ruction ( ! dam 
& !      dra9+ (f ( ! great lake ^u :i* 
! integrity ( !      entire canal re/s4 
,b all ( ?is is m]e conjecture4 ,!      
evid5ce ( ,eng9e] ,/e>ns1 a man ( l>ge  
exp]i5ce1 & ( ,eng9e] ,h>rod1 famili> ) 
riv] hydraulics & levee con/ruction1 & (
 _m o!rs1 is emphatically to ! contr>y4 
,!re is n an ,am]ican eng9e] ( ability1 
nor an ,am]ican contractor ( exp]i5ce1  

:o w\ld n und]take to build ! propos$   
dam at ,gatun & gu>antee its safety &   
p]man5cy )\t any hesitation :atev]4 ,!  
alt]native proposal ( a dam at ,gamboa  
w\ld be z objectionable ^u mu* ! same   
gr\nd1 & ! dam !re1 :i* is indisp5sable 
to ! sea-level project1 has also be5    
consid]$ unsafe by "s ( ! eng9e]s4 ,9   
all que/ions ( ?is k9d ! aggregate      
exp]i5ce ( mank9d ought to h great]     
weight ?an ! ab/ract !ories (           
individuals1 & ,i am confid5t t our     
eng9e]s1 :o h s successfully solv$      
problems ( ! greate/ magnitude 9 !      
reclamation projects ( ! f> ,we/ & 9 !  
control & regulation ( ! floods ( !     
,mississippi ,riv]1 w solve ) equal     
success simil> problems at ,panama4  ,! 
committee fur!r says t ! sea-level      
project contemplates ! removal ( "s     
#aaj1jjj1jjj cubic y>ds ( mat]ial1 :ile 
! lock canal w\ld require ! removal (   
only ab\t half t quantity1 or1 9 o!r    
words1 t !re is a diff]5ce ( "s         
#eg1jjj1jjj cubic y>ds1 :i*1 to omit to 

take out 444 is to confess our impot5ce1
 :i* is n *>act]i/ic ( ! ,am]ican p or  
_! eng9e]s or contractors4 ,by ?is me?od
 ( reason+ a nation :i* c build a       
battle%ip ( #af1jjj tons displacem5t is 
impot5t if x c n build "o ( twice t     
tonnage1 & if ?is reason applies to     
quantity ( mat]ial1 :y n say t a nation 
:i* c dig a canal #aej feet wide ?r\gh a
 m\nta9 "s sev5 miles 9 l5g? admits its 
impot5ce if x c n dig "o #cjj feet wide1
 or #fjj feet1 if x %\ld please to d s8 
,b :y %\ld x be less difficult or a     
decl>ation ( impot5cy on ! "p ( our     
eng9e]s to build a safe lock canal      
includ+ a satisfactory & safe controll+ 
dam at ,gatun8 ,z ,i conceive ! problem1
 x is "o ( reasonable compromise1 & :ile
 ,i d n "q ! ability ( ,am]ican eng9e]s 
& contractors to build a sea-level      
canal1 ,i am conv9c$ by ! facts 9       
evid5ce t !y c n d x )9 ! "t & = ! money
 assum$ by ! advocates ( ! sea-level    
project4  ,?is "q ( "t is ( supreme     
importance4 ,t5 ye>s 9 a nation's life  

is (t5 a long space 9 national hi/ory4  
,_m times ! map ( ! _w has be5 *ang$ 9  
less ?an a decade4 ,no man 9 #ahij      
anticipat$ ! w> ) ,spa9 9 #ahih1 & no   
man 9 #aijf c say :at important ev5t may
 n happ5 be=e ! next decade has pass$4  
,! progress dur+ peace is f> great] 9   
its p]man5t effect ?an ! *anges br\ght  
ab\t by w>4 ,! _w's comm]ce1 ! social1  
comm]cial1 & political developm5t ( !   
,s\? ,am]ican republics & ( ,asiatic    
nations1 all dep5d1 m or less1 ^u !     
completion ( an ,i/hmian wat]way4 ,x is 
! duty ( ?is nation1 s9ce we h assum$   
?is task1 to con/ruct a wat]way across !
 ,i/hmus )9 ! %orte/ reasonable p]iod ( 
"t4 ,valuable ye>s h pass$1 valuable    
opportunities h gone by4 ,9 #ahhd ,de   
,lesseps1 ) supreme confid5ce & ^u !    
judgm5t ( 8 eng9e]s1 anticipat$ ! op5+ (
 ! ,panama ,canal 9 #ahhh4 ,t 0 ne>ly   
tw5ty ye>s ago4 ,%all x be tw5ty ye>s m 
be=e t greate/ ev5t 9 ! _w's comm]cial  
hi/ory takes place8 ,_h ,de ,lesseps 9  
#ahgi gone be=e ! ,int]national         

,congress ) a proposition = a feasible  
canal at reasonable co/1 free f         
prejudice or bias1 _h he !n adopt$ !    
,am]ican sugge/ion = a lock canal1 he   
w\ld probably h liv$ to see its         
completion1 & ! _w = fifte5 ye>s w\ld h 
_h ! use ( a practical wat]way across ! 
,i/hmus4  ,z to safety 9 op]ation1 :i* !
 committee discuss 9 _! report1 !re is  
"o v important po9t to be kept 9 m9d1 & 
t is t n9e-t5?s1 or possibly a l>g]     
proportion1 ( %ipp+ w be ( vessels (    
relatively small size4 ,if ?is %\ld be !
 case1 !n ! sea-level project           
contemplates a canal *iefly design$ to  
meet ! possible ne$s ( a v small numb] (
 vessels ( l>ge/ size1 :ile ! lock canal
 provides prim>ily = ! accommodation ( !
 class ( /eam%ips :i* ( necessity w\ld  
make ! l>ge/ practical use ( ! ,i/hmian 
wat]way4 ,n[1 x /&s to reason t special 
precautions w\ld be employ$ dur+ !      
passage ( a v l>ge vessel1 ei!r         
m]*antman or man-(-w>1 & ev5 if         
necessity %\ld dem& ! rapid passage ( a 

fleet ( vessels1 say tw5ty or ?irty1 x  
is n conceivable t a condition w\ld     
arise :i* c\ld n be effici5tly safegu>d$
 aga9/ by ^? 9 actual *>ge & responsible
 = safety 9 ! managem5t ( ! canal4      
,consid]+ ! imm5se tonnage pass+ ?r\gh !
 ,soo ,canal1 :i* w\ld n be equal$ 9 !  
,panama ,canal = a c5tury to come1 ! v  
few & relatively unimportant accid5ts   
:i* h occurr$ dur+ ! fifty ye>s (       
op]ation ( t wat]way are 9 e respect !  
mo/ sugge/ive indorsem5t ( ! lock-canal 
project :i* c\ld be advanc$4  ,! "t (   
transit1 9 ! op9ion ( ! majority        
committee ( ! ,s5ate1 w\ld be some:at   
long] 9 ! case ( a lock canal4 ,?is may 
be s1 ?\gh mu* dep5ds ^u ! class ( %ips 
pass+ ?r\gh & _! numb]4 ,to ! practical 
navigator ! loss ( a few h\rs w\ld be a 
negligible quantity comp>$ ) ! high]    
tolls t w necess>ily be *>g$ if an      
additional #ajj1jjj1jjj is exp5d$ 9     
con/ruction & an additional int]e/ burd5
 ( at lea/ #b1jjj1jjj p] annum has to be
 provid$ =4 ,i und]/& t ! actual value (

 an h\r or two 9 ! case ( comm]cial %ips
 ( av]age size w\ld be a matt] (        
comp>atively no importance 9 contra/ ) !
 all-sugge/ive fact t ! alt]native      
project ( a sea-level canal w\ld provide
 no navigation :atev] across ! ,i/hmus =
 probably t5 ye>s m4 ,if x is an        
advantage to ga9 an h\r or two 9 transit
 t5 ye>s h5ce by hav+ no transi/hmian   
%ipp+ facilities = ! t5 ye>s 9 !        
meantime1 !n x might z well be argu$ t x
 w\ld be bett] to project a sea-level   
canal #cjj feet wide at e po9t1 s t !   
comm]ce ( ! ye> #bjjj may be prop]ly    
provid$ =4 ,b to ! practical navigator (
 ! ye> #aiaf1 :o leaves ! port ( ,new   
,york = ,san ,francisco by way ( ,cape  
,horn1 a possible loss ( two or ?ree    
h\rs or m w\ld be _m times pref]able1 if
 ! ,i/hmus 7 op5 = traffic1 to a c]ta9  
loss ( f =ty to fifty days to make !    
voyage all ar\nd ,s\? ,am]ica4  ,^u ! "q
 ( co/ ( ma9t5ance ! majority committee 
9 _! report po9t out t ! ,bo>d (        
,consult+ ,eng9e]s did n submit !       

details ( any e/imate ( co/ ( ma9t5ance1
 repairs1 etc41 b !y say t ?is factor 0 
prop]ly tak5 into acc\nt by ! m9ority   
favor+ a lock canal4 ,n[1 !re is        
probably no m important "q connect$ ) ! 
:ole canal problem ?an ?is1 = if !      
annual exp5se ( ma9t5ance1 to be provid$
 = by ,congressional appropriations1    
%\ld atta9 su* an exorbitant figure z to
 make any fair return ^u ! inve/m5t     
impossible1 x is conceivable t ! mo/    
s]i\s political & f9ancial consequ5ces  
might arise & ! success ( ! ent]prise   
itself might be plac$ 9 jeop>dy4 ,^u a  
maximum co/1 9 r\nd figures1 (          
#bjj1jjj1jjj = a lock canal1 & (        
#cjj1jjj1jjj z a m9imum = a sea-level   
canal1 ! additional annual int]e/ *>ge  
w\ld be at lea/ #b1jjj1jjj4  ,b ,mr4    
,/e>ns e/imates t "u c]ta9 conditions a 
sea-level canal might co/ z mu* z       
#daj1jjj1jjj1 :i* w\ld add millions (   
doll>s m p] annum to ! fix$ *>ges :i*   
mu/ be includ$ 9 ! co/ ( ma9t5ance1 to  
say no?+ ( a possibly mu* high] co/ (   

op]ation4 ,nor c ,i agree to ! /atem5t t
 ! co/ ( op]ation ( a sea-level canal   
w\ld be #hjj1jjj p] annum less ?an 9 !  
case ( a lock canal2 b1 on ! contr>y1 ,i
 am fully satisfi$ t ! exp5se w\ld be v 
mu* great] 9 ! sea-level project1 if    
prop] all[ance is made = int]e/ *>ges ^u
 ! additional outlay1 :i* _c be         
rightfully ignor$4 ,^u ?is important    
po9t ! evid5ce ( ! eng9e]s & ( ! m9ority
 memb]s ( ! ,bo>d is /rongly 9 favor ( !
 lock-canal project4  ,z reg>ds ultimate
 co/1 ! e/imates ( ! majority are v mu* 
m indef9ite & conjectural ?an ! m       
c>efully prep>$ e/imates ( ! m9ority ( !
 ,bo>d ( ,consult+ ,eng9e]s4 ,^u ?is    
po9t ! majority ( ! ,s5ate committee    
say3       ,!re are two e/imates n[ be=e
 ! ,s5ate1 bo? orig9at+      ) ! ,bo>d (
 ,consult+ ,eng9e]s4 ,! basis (         
computation (      co/ at c]ta9 unit    
prices 0 adopt$ unanim\sly by ! ,bo>d1  
& we are told t ! co/1 ) ! #bj p] c5t4  
all[ance =      cont+5cies1 w be1 = !   
sea-level canal1 ! sum (                

#bdg1jba1bjj4 ,y\r committee has adopt$ 
! figures /at$ by !      majority on    
page #fd ( its report ( a total (       
#bej1jjj1jjj =      ! ultimate f9al co/ 
( ! sea-level canal4  ,! e/imate ( !    
m9ority = a lock canal at a level (     
eighty-five feet is1 9 r\nd figures1    
#adj1jjj1jjj1 or ab\t #aaj1jjj1jjj less 
?an = a sea-level canal1 :i* w\ld       
repres5t a diff]5ce ( #b1bjj1jjj p]     
annum 9 int]e/ *>ges at ! l[e/ possible 
rate ( two p] c5t4 ,! majority ( !      
,s5ate committee attempt to meet ?is    
diff]5ce by capitaliz+ ! e/imat$ high]  
ma9t5ance *>ge1 :i* !y fix at #hjj1jjj  
p] annum1 & !y ?us increase ! total co/ 
( a lock canal by #dj1jjj1jjj2 b ?is1 ,i
 hold1 involves a s]i\s f9ancial error1 
unless a correspond+ all[ance is made = 
! ultimate co/ ( ! sea-level project4   
,!re is1 h[ev]1 no s]i\s disagreem5t ^u 
! po9t t a sea-level canal 9 any ev5t   
w\ld co/ a v mu* l>g] sum z an orig9al  
outlay1 c]ta9ly n less ?an #abj1jjj1jjj 
m1 &1 9 all probability1 9 ! op9ion (   

qualifi$ eng9e]s1 includ+ ,mr4 ,/ev5s1 !
 *ief eng9e]1 twice t sum4  ,ref]5ce is 
made 9 ! report to ! probable value ( ! 
l& :i* w be inundat$ "u ! lock-canal    
project ) a dam at ,gatun1 ! value ( :i*
 has be5 plac$ at approximately         
#cjj1jjj4 ,! majority ( ! ,s5ate        
committee e/imate t ?is am\nt might rea*
 #aj1jjj1jjj1 or z mu* z 0 paid = !     
entire ,canal ,zone4 ,! e/imate is bas$ 
^u ! price ( c]ta9 l&s requir$ by !     
gov]nm5t ne> ! city ( ,panama1 b "o     
might z well e/imate ! wor? ( l& 9 !    
,adirondacks by ! prices paid = real    
e/ate 9 l[] ,new ,york4 ,! item1 no     
d\bt1 requires to be prop]ly tak5 into  
acc\nt1 b two indep5d5t e/imates fix !  
probable sum at #cjj1jjj = l&s :i* are  
o!rwise practically valueless & :i* w\ld
 only acquire value ! mom5t ! ,unit$    
,/ates %\ld ne$ !m4 ,9 my op9ion1 !     
value ( ^! l&s w n =m a s]i\s item 9 !  
total co/ ( ! canal1 & ,i h e reason to 
believe t indep5d5t e/imates ( ! m9ority
 eng9e]s ( ! ,consult+ ,bo>d1 & ( ,mr4  

,/ev5s1 may be reli$ ^u z cons]vative4  
,! majority ( ! ,s5ate committee fur!r  
say t--       ,x is n necess>y to dwell 
^u ! fact t all naval      comm&]s &    
comm]cial ma/]s ( ! great national &    
private      vessels ( ! _w are almo/ to
 a man oppos$ unalt]ably to !           
introduction ( any lock to lift vessels 
ov] ! l[ summit t      nature has left =
 u to remove4  ,i am n aw>e t any       
mat]ial evid5ce ( ?is "* has come be=e !
 ,s5ate ,committee on ,i/hmian ,affairs1
 inve/igat+ conditions at ,panama4 ,i d 
"k ?is1 h[ev]1 t until v rec5tly x has  
be5 ! ,am]ican project to con/ruct a    
lock canal4 ,all ! =m] advocates ( an   
,am]ican canal by way ( ,panama or      
,nic>agua1 or by any o!r r\te1          
contemplat$ a lock canal ( a mu* m      
complex "* ?an ! pres5t ,panama project4
 ,all ! advocates ( a canal across !    
,i/hmus1 includ+ _m di/+ui%$ eng9e]s 9 !
 army & navy1 h be5 9 favor ( a lock    
canal1 & almo/ )\t exception h report$  
^u ! feasibility ( a lock canal across !

 ,i/hmus & ^u its advantages to comm]ce 
& navigation1 & 9 milit>y & naval       
op]ations 9 case ( w>4 ,! ,nic>agua     
,canal1 z recomm5d$ to ,congress & z    
favor$ by ! fir/ ,walk] ,commission1    
provid$ = a lock project f> m complex   
?an ! proposition n[ "u consid]ation4   
,colonel ,tott51 :o built ! ,panama     
railroad1 recomm5d$ z e>ly z #aheg !    
con/ruction ( a lock canal2 ,naval      
,commission] ,lull1 :o made a c>eful    
survey ( ! ,i/hmus 9 #ahgd1 recomm5d$ a 
lock canal ) a summit level ( #abd feet 
& ) #bd locks4 ,admiral ,amm51 :o1 by   
au?ority ( ! ,secret>y ( ,w>1 att5d$ !  
,i/hmian ,congress ( #ahgi1 favor$ a    
lock project1 9 /rong opposition to !   
vision>y plan ( ,de ,lesseps4 ,admiral  
,selfridge & _m o!r naval (fic]s :o h   
be5 connect$ ) ,i/hmian survey+ &       
exploration h nev]1 to my k1 by z mu* z 
a ^w express$ _! appreh5sions reg>d+ !  
feasibility or practicability ( a lock  
canal4  ,z a matt] ( fact & canal       
hi/ory1 ! lock project has v prop]ly be5

 consid]$ an ,am]ican conception ( !    
prop] treatm5t ( ! ,panama canal        
problem4 ,mr4 ,c4,d4 ,w>d1 an ,am]ican  
eng9e] ( great ability1 z e>ly z #ahgi  
sugge/$ a plan almo/ id5tical ) ! "o n[ 
recomm5d$ by ! m9ority ( ! ,consult+    
,bo>d1 includ+ a dam at ,gatun1 in/ead (
 ,bohio or ,gamboa2 &1 9 ! words ( a =m]
 presid5t ( ! ,am]ican ,society ( ,civil
 ,eng9e]s1 ,mr4 ,wel%1 ,! fir/ ?\ght (  
an ,am]ican eng9e] on look+ at ,m4 ,de  
,lesseps' rais$ map is to conv]t !      
valley ( ! l[] ,*agres into an          
artificial lake "s tw5ty miles long by a
 dam across ! valley at or ne> a po9t   
:]e ! propos$ canal /rikes x1 a few     
miles f ,colon1 su* z 0 advocat$ by     
,c4,d4 ,w>d 9 #ahgi4 ,! site ref]r$ to 0
 ,gatun1 & ?is 0 writt5 9 #ahhj1 :5 !   
sea-level project _h full sway4  ,s t x 
is go+ entirely too f> to say t all     
naval comm&]s & comm]cial ma/]s are 9   
favor ( ! sea-level project4 ,admiral   
,walk] himself1 z presid5t ( ! =m]      
,i/hmian ,commission1 & z presid5t ( !  

,nic>aguan ,bo>d1 favor$ a lock canal4  
,em95t army eng9e]s1 l ,abbot1 ,ha9s1   
,ern/1 & o!rs1 favor ! lock project4 ,x 
requires no v ext5sive k ( navigation to
 make x cle> t pass+ ?r\gh a wat]way :i*
 = #ce miles1 or #ga p] c5t4 ( its      
di/ance1 w h a wid? ( #ejj feet or m1   
comp>$ ) "o :i*1 = ! l>g] "p1 or = "s   
=ty-"o miles1 w h a wid? ( only #bjj    
feet or less1 mu/ appeal to ! s5se (    
security ( ! skipp] :ile tak+ 8 vessel  
?r\gh ! canal4  ,b x is a "q ( g5]al    
pr9ciples1 & n ( p]sonal pref]5ce4 ,our 
conc]n is ) a matt] ( fact1 & n ) a     
!ory4 ,no %ip-own] on ! ,great ,lakes   
consid]s x a s]i\s h9drance to          
navigation = vessels to pass ?r\gh !    
lock ( ! ,soo ,canal2 no %ipp] runn+    
#a1jjj-ton b>ges ?r\gh ! future ,erie   
,canal w h ! lea/ appreh5sion ( dang] or
 de/ruction2 no capta9 navigat+ a vessel
 or boat ?r\gh ! propos$ deep wat]way f 
! ocean to ! ,lakes w hesitate to pass  
?r\gh locks ) a propos$ lift ( ov] =ty  
feet4 ,^! appreh5sions are imag9>y & n  

real4 ,!y are n d]iv$ f exp]i5ce or f a 
summ>y /atem5t ( %ipma/]s & naval       
(fic]s1 b f ! individual expressions &  
prejudice ( a few :o are oppos$ to !    
lock project4 ,i am confid5t t if !     
matt] is left to ! practical navigator1 
to ! %ip-own]1 & to ! self-reliant naval
 (fic]1 !re w be no s]i\s disagreem5t ) 
! op9ion t a lock canal1 :i* c be built 
)9 a reasonable p]iod ( "t1 is pref]able
 to any sea-level canal :i* may be built
 & op5$ to navigation tw5ty ye>s h5ce or
 lat]4  ,!re are two objections made by 
! majority ( ! ,s5ate committee aga9/ a 
lock canal :i* require m ext5d$         
consid]ation4 ,^! are1 ! protection ( ! 
canal 9 case ( w> & ! dang] ( s]i\s     
injury or total de/ruction by possible  
e>? movem5ts or s-call$ e>?quakes4      
,reg>d+ ! milit>y aspects ( ! canal     
problem1 ! majority ( ! ,s5ate committee
 say3       ,! ,spoon] act & !          
,hay-,v>illa treaty contemplat$ !       
=tification & milit>y protection ( !    
canal r\te4 ,no      proposition affect+

 ?is policy is n[ be=e ! ,s5ate4 ,9 s   
f> z ! type ( canal to be adopt$ has a  
be>+ ^u !      jeop>dy to or immunity ( 
! canal f risk ( malici\s injury1      !
 subject ( safety & protection is p]t95t
 & mo/      important4 ,if a canal ( "o 
type w\ld be m liable to injury      ?an
 ano!r1 ?is liability %\ld "u no        
circum/ances be      neglect$ 9 det]m9+ 
! type or plan4 ,x does n require       
argum5t t ! use ( ! canal by ! ,unit$   
,/ates w cease      if ! control passes 
to a ho/ile p[] betwe5 :i* & !          
,unit$ ,/ates a /ate ( w> exi/s1 b ?is  
is true :atev] !      type may be4  ,z !
 majority ( ! committee po9t out1 no    
proposition affect+ ?is project is n[   
be=e ! ,s5ate4 ,9 my op9ion1 none is    
necess>y4 ,! neutrality ( ! canal is1 by
 implication at lea/1 assur$1 & we h    
pl$g$ our national good fai? t ! wat]way
 w be op5 to all ! nations ( ! _w4 ,"s  
"t 9 ! future1 :5 ! canal is complet$ & 
an accept$ fact1 x may be advisable to  
adopt ! c\rse pursu$ 9 ! case ( ! ,suez 

,canal4 ,! orig9al concession = t canal 
provid$1 by section #c1 = its subsequ5t 
=tification1 b ?is 0 nev] c>ri$ into    
effect4 ,by a conv5tion dat$ ,decemb]   
#bb1 #ahhh1 among ,great ,brita91       
,g]many1 & o!r nations1 ! free          
navigation ( ! ,suez ,canal 0 made a    
matt] ( int]national agreem5t1 & ! same 
has be5 repr9t$ z ,s5ate ,docum5t ,no4  
#aea1 ,fifty-six? ,congress1 fir/       
session1 "u date ( ,febru>y #f1 #aijj4  
,?is1 9 any ev5t1 is a problem ( !      
future4 ,! canal is ! prop]ty ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates1 & we %all always reta9 control4
 ,9 ! ev5t ( w> we %all rely ) confid5ce
 ^u our navy to protect our int]e/s on !
 ,pacific & 9 ! ,c>ibbean ,sea1 b ev5 m 
may we rely ^u ! all-important fact t x 
c\ld nev] be to ! int]e/ ( any o!r      
nation suffici5t 9 size to be at w> ) u 
to de/roy ?is int]national wat]way1 :i* 
w become an important necessity to !    
comm]ce ( ea* & all4 ,no neutral nation 
engag$ 9 ext5sive comm]ce or trade w\ld 
= an in/ant all[ ano!r nation at w> ) ! 

,unit$ ,/ates to injure or de/roy !     
canal or to s]i\sly int]f]e ) ! traffic 
pass+ ?r\gh x4 ,to de/roy z mu* z a s+le
 lock1 to injure z mu* z a s+le gate1   
w\ld be consid]$ equal to an act ( w> by
 e comm]cial nation ( ! e>?4 ,9 ?is     
simple fact lies a great] assurance (   
safety ?an 9 all ! treaties :i* might be
 made or 9 all ! =tifications :i* might 
be e/abli%$ to protect ! canal4  ,!     
majority ( ! committee well say 9 _!    
report1 t ! p[] ( mis*ief is )9 easy    
rea* ( all4 ,! possibility ( an assum$  
occurr5ce is v remote f its reasonable  
probability4 ,we h to rely ^u our own   
good fai? & ! wat*ful eyes ( our (fic]s4
 ,aga9/ possible cont+5cies1 su* z are  
impli$ 9 ! assum$ de/ruction ( ! locks  
by dynamite or o!r high explosives1 we c
 d no m ?an take ! same precautions :i* 
we take 9 all o!r matt]s ( national     
importance4 ,we h to take our *ances !  
same z any o!r nation w\ld2 ! same z    
comm]cial ent]prise w\ld4 ,c]ta9ly !    
remote possibility ( su* an ev5t1 ! /ill

 m remote cont+5cy t ! injury w\ld be   
s]i\s or fatal to ! op]ation ( ! canal1 
%\ld n gov]n 9 a decision to con/ruct a 
canal = ! use ( ! pres5t g5]ation r ?an 
= ! g5]ations to come4 ,no canal c be   
built free f vuln]able po9ts2 no =ts1 no
 battle%ips1 c be built free f su* a    
risk4 ,x w\ld be folly to delay !       
con/ruction ( a canal2 x w\ld be folly  
to s9k a hundr$ million doll>s or m ^u s
 remote a cont+5cy z ?is1 :i* belongs to
 ! realm ( fanciful or morbid imag9ation
 r ?an to ! doma9 ( sub/antial fact &   
actual exp]i5ce4  ,z a la/ resort1 !    
opposition to a lock canal br+s =w>d !  
e>?quake argum5t4 ,x is a curi\s rem9d] 
( ! e>ly & bitt] opposition to ! build+ 
( ! ,suez ,canal2 its enemies _h to fall
 back ^u ! absurd !ory t ! canal w\ld   
prove a failure because ! bl[+ s&s ( !  
des]t w\ld soon fill ! *annel4 ,x 0     
s]i\sly propos$ to erect a /one wall f\r
 feet high on ea* side ( ! embankm5t to 
provide aga9/ ?is imag9>y dang] to !    
canal4 ,ano!r e>ly objection to ! ,suez 

,canal 0 t ! ,r$ ,sea level 0 #cj feet  
above ! level ( ! ,m$it]ranean1 only set
 at re/ 9 #ahdg by a special commission1
 :i* includ$ ,mr4 ,rob]t ,/eph5son1 !   
great son ( a great fa!r1 bitt] to ! la/
 9 8 opposition to ! canal1 :i* he      
consid]$ an impracticable eng9e]+ s*eme4
 ,!re 0 mu* talk ab\t ! assum$ preval5ce
 ( /rong we/]ly w9ds on ! s\!rn         
,m$it]ranean coa/1 & ! dang] ( con/antly
 increas+ deposits ( ! ,nile1 x 0 said1 
w\ld r5d] ! e/abli%m5t ( a port         
impossible4 ,x 0 necess>y to place a    
w>-%ip = a :ole w9t] at an*or ?ree miles
 f ! %ore to prove ! error ( ?is        
assumption & set at re/ a fooli% rumor  
:i* came ne> prov+ fatal to ! ent]prise4
  ,e>?quakes h occurr$ on ! ,i/hmus1 &  
!re is record ( "o %ock ( "s consequ5ce 
9 #ahhb4 ,! matt] has be5 inquir$ into 9
 a g5]al way by ! v>i\s ,i/hmian        
commissions1 & assum$ "s prom95ce dur+ !
 discussions & debates reg>d+ a *oice ( 
r\tes4 ,x 0 pla9 to ev5 ! lea/ in=m$ t !
 volcanic belt ( ,nic>agua con/itut$ a  

real m5ace to a canal 9 t region2 & "o (
 ! /ronge/ argum5ts advanc$ 9 ! m9ority 
report ( ! ,s5ate committee ( #aijb1    
submitt$ by ,s5ator ,kittr$ge1 n[ a     
lead+ advocate ( ! sea-level project1 9 
opposition to ! ,nic>agua ,canal1 0 !   
ass]tion ( ! practical fre$om ( !       
,panama ,i/hmus f ! dang] ( e>?         
movem5ts4  ,! m9ority ( ! ,s5ate        
committee ( #aijb 9 _! report1 summ+ up 
! f9al reasons 9 favor ( ! ,panama r\te 
7section #ab71 said3       ,at ,panama  
e>?quakes are few & unimportant1 :ile ! 
,nic>aguan      r\te passes ov] a       
well-kn[n coa/al weakness4 ,only five   
di/urbances ( any sort 7 record$ at     
,panama1 all v slight1      :ile simil> 
(ficial records at ,san ,jose de ,co/a  
,rica1 ne> !      r\te ( ! ,nic>agua    
,canal1 %[ = ! same p]iod fifty         
%ocks1 a numb] ( :i* 7 sev]e4 7,p4 #aa1 
,s4 ,rep4 #ghc1 "p #b1      #eg? ,cong41
 #a/ session1 ,may #ca1 #aijb47  ,9     
ano!r "p ( _! report ! committee said3  
,) ! dreadful lessons ( ,m>t9ique & ,/4 

,v9c5t fre% 9      our m9ds1 we %\ld be 
utt]ly inexcusable if we delib]ately    
select$ a r\te = an ,i/hmian canal 9 a  
region s volcanic &      dang]\s1 :5 a  
r\te is op5 to u :i* is expos$ to none (
      ^! dang]s & is 9 e o!r respect m  
advantage\s4  ,& !y quote ,pr(essor     
,heilpr91 an au?ority on ! subject1 9   
"p1 z foll[s3       ,x has1 h[ev]1 be5  
kn[n = a full qu>t] ( a c5tury t      ! 
ma9 ,&es d n trav]se ! ,i/hmus (        
,panama1 & t      !re are no active or  
rec5tly decay$ volcanoes 9 any "p (     
! ,i/hmus4 ,s f>1 h[ev]1 z dang] f      
direct volcanic      contacts is        
conc]n$1 ! ,panama r\te is exempt4 7,pp4
 #bb-bc47  ,& fur!r3       ,?is di/rict 
repres5ts ! mo/ /able portion ( ,c5tral 
,am]ica4 ,no volcanic eruptions h       
occurr$ !re s9ce ! end (      ! ,mioc5e 
epo*1 & !re are no active volcanoes     
betwe5      ,*iriqui & ,tolima1 a       
di/ance ( ab\t f\r hundr$ miles4 ,su*   
e>?quakes z h occurr$ are *iefly ^?     
proce$+ f !      di/urb$ di/ricts on    

ei!r h&1 ) int5sity mu* dim9i%$      by 
! di/ance trav]s$4 ,! canal lies 9 a    
sort ( dead angle      ( comp>ative     
safety4  ,! report cont9ues3       ,!   
situation be+1 !n1 t ! dang] f volcanoes
 at ,panama      is no?+1 & t f         
e>?quakes practically no?+1 :ile at     
,nic>agua ! canal w\ld be situat$ 9 "o (
 ! mo/ dang]\s      regions ( ! _w f bo?
 ^! causes1 ! "q %\ld be      consid]$  
settl$4  ,?is 0 ! op9ion ( ! committee (
 #aijb2 x 0 emphatic & pla9 9 its       
language2 x _h consid]$ exp]t views & ! 
available data4 ,x _h be=e x ! full     
report ( ! ,nic>agua ,canal ,commission1
 pr9t$ "u date ( ,may #ae? ( ! same ye>1
 ,*apt] ,,vii ( :i* consid]s ! subject  
at mu* great] l5g? ?an has be5 done s9ce
 t "t & ) a full k ( ! facts & free f   
bias or prejudice4 ,) ! !n rec5t        
occurr5ce at ,m\nt ,pelee 9 m9d1 & ) a  
full und]/&+ ( ! liability ( ! ,i/hmus  
to seismic %ocks ( m9or importance1 !   
committee emphatically indors$ !        
lock-canal project at ,panama4  ,mu* c  

be said ) reg>d to ?is matt]1 & x is "o 
:i* %\ld1 & no d\bt w1 receive ! mo/    
c>eful consid]ation ( ! eng9e]s 9 *>ge (
 ! "w4 ,seismic di/urbances h occurr$ 9 
all p>ts ( ! _w1 & !y h occurr$ at      
,panama4 ,:]e !y are n directly (       
volcanic orig9 !y appe> to be ! result (
 subsid5ce or contraction ( ! e>?'s     
cru/1 & !y h occurr$ & caus$ s]i\s      
de/ruction f> f c5t]s ( volcanic        
activity1 among o!r places1 at ,lisbon1 
,portugal1 & at ,*>le/on1 ,s4,c4 ,"s    
sections ( ! e>?1 z = illu/ration ,japan
 & ! ,philipp9es1 are no d\bt m subject 
to ^! movem5ts ?an o!rs1 & sections     
subject to su* movem5ts at "o p]iod ( "t
 may be exempt = _m ye>s if n =ev]      
!reaft]4  ,! fe>ful e>?quake :i* affect$
 ,*>le/on1 ,s4,c41 9 #ahhf _h no        
correspond+ prec$5t 9 t section1 nor has
 x be5 foll[$ by a simil> di/urbance4   
,reg>dless ( ! t]rible exp]i5ce ( #ahhf1
 ! gov]nm5t has n[ 9 c\rse ( con/ruction
 at ,*>le/on a navy-y>d1 & a great      
dry-dock1 co/+ _m millions ( doll>s1 :i*

 w be op]at$ by locks or gates1 &1 ,i   
presume1 ! "q ( e>?quakes or e>?        
movem5ts has n be5 rais$ 9 any ( !      
reports :i* h be5 made reg>d+ ?is       
und]tak+4 ,e>?quakes =m]ly 7 q frequ5t 9
 ,new ,engl&1 & !y ext5d$ to ,new ,york 
dur+ ! e>ly ye>s ( our hi/ory1 & = a "t 
,bo/on & ,newbury1 ,mass41 ,de]field1   
,n4,h41 & p>ticul>ly ,ea/ ,haddam1      
,conn41 7 ! c5t]s ( seismic activity1   
:i* by inf]5ce might be us$ z an argum5t
 aga9/ our navy-y>ds at ,portsm\?1      
,n4,h41 & ,*>le/[n1 ,mass41 our torp$o  
/ation at ,newport1 or ! =tifications at
 ,willets ,po9t4 ,! e>?quake :i* de/roy$
 ,lisbon 9 #agee might ) equal propriety
 be us$ z an argum5t aga9/ ! build+ ( ! 
ext5sive docks & =tifications at        
,gibralt>1 b no "o1 ,i ?9k1 has ev]     
que/ion$ ! solidity ( ! ,rock4          
,seismology is a v complex bran* (      
geologic inquiry & x is a subject reg>d+
 :i* v little ( det]m9+ value is kn[n4  
,!ories h be5 advanc$ t "u c]ta9        
geological conditions e>? movem5ts w\ld 

be comp>atively infrequ5t1 if n         
impossible4 ,:e!r su* conditions exi/ at
 ,panama w\ld h to be det]m9$ by !      
inve/igations ( qualifi$ exp]ts4 ,x w\ld
 seem1 h[ev]1 f su* data z are          
available1 t ! local conditions are     
decid$ly favorable to a comp>ative      
immunity ( ?is region f s]i\s seismic   
%ocks1 at lea/ su* z w\ld d great &     
g5]al damage4 ,nor c x be argu$ t !     
locks & dams w\ld be expos$ to special  
risk4 ,! e>?quake ( #ahhb did m or less 
damage1 b ! reports are ( a v fragm5t>y 
"*4 ,newspap] reports 9 matt]s ( ?is k9d
 h v small value4 ,injury 0 done to !   
railway1 b n ( v s]i\s consequ5ce4  ,if 
! risk exi/s1 x w\ld affect equally a   
sea-level canal1 9 t x w\ld ?reat5 !    
tidal lock1 ! dam at ,gamboa1 & !       
excavation ?r\gh ,culebra cut4 ,v little
 is kn[n reg>d+ e>?quake motions1 & !re 
are v few seismic elem5ts :i* are really
 calculable 9 con=mity to a ma!matical  
!ory ( probability4 ,x is a subject :i* 
has n receiv$ ! att5tion 9 ?is c\ntry ( 

:i* x is des]v+1 b en\gh ( seismic      
motion is kn[n to w>rant ! conclusion t 
! ,s5ate committee ( #aijb 01 9 all     
human probability1 entirely correct :5 x
 made light ( ! dang] ( ! probability ( 
seismic %ocks at ,panama4  ,9 f9e1 !    
e>?quake argum5t has little or no =ce   
aga9/ a lock-canal project1 & x has nev]
 receiv$ s]i\s consid]ation z su* or be5
 us$ 9 argum5ts aga9/ a lock canal until
 ! rec5t ,san ,francisco disa/] br\ght !
 subject prom95tly be=e ! public4 ,x is 
a dang] z remote z a possible de/ruction
 ( ! propos$ t]m9al plants at ,colon &  
,panama by flood waves equal 9 magnitude
 to ! "o :i* de/roy$ ,galve/on 9 #aijj1 
b su* dang]s are inh]5t 9 all human     
und]tak+s4 ,!y mu/ be tak5 z a matt] (  
*ance & remote possibility1 :i* = all   
pres5t purposes may be left out (       
acc\nt1 except t ! subject %\ld receive 
! due consid]ation ( ! eng9e]s & p]haps 
be made a matt] ( special & compreh5sive
 inquiry by ! ,geological ,survey4 ,9   
any s]i\s consid]ation ( ! facts = or   

aga9/ a lock canal1 ,i am confid5t t !  
e>?quake risk may safely be ignor$4 ,!  
compreh5sive report ( ! m9ority memb]s (
 ! ,s5ate ,committee on ,int]oceanic    
,affairs is a suffici5t & conclusive    
answ] to all ! important po9ts :i* are 9
 controv]sy1 & x rema9s = ,congress to  
cut ! ,gordian knot & put an end to an  
int]m9able discussion ( mu* solid &     
sub/antial conviction on ! "o h& & ( a  
va/ am\nt ( op9ion & guesswork on ! o!r 
h&4 ,all ( ! evid5ce1 all ( !           
supplem5t>y exp]t te/imony :i* may be   
obta9$ ^u ! m]its ( ! two propositions1 
w n *ange ! position ( ^? :o re/ _!     
conclusions ^u ,am]ican exp]i5ce & ^u ! 
judgm5t ( ,am]ican eng9e]s1 & :o favor a
 lock canal4 ,:ile !re is no d\bt t su* 
a canal c be con/ruct$ & c be made a    
practicable wat]way1 !re is a v s]i\s "q
 :e!r a sea-level canal c be con/ruct$ &
 made a safe & practicable wat]way1 at  
lea/ )9 ! limits ( ! e/imat$ am\nt ( co/
 & )9 ! e/imat$ "t4  ,! view :i* ,i h   
tri$ to impress ^u ! ,s5ate is no?+ m   

nor less ?an a bus9ess view ( :at is1 = 
all practical purposes1 only a bus9ess  
proposition4 ,if a lock canal c be      
built1 useful = all purposes1 at half ! 
co/ & )9 half ! "t ( a sea-level canal1 
!n ,i c come to no o!r conclusion ?an t 
a lock canal w\ld be decid$ly to our    
political & comm]cial advantage4 ,a     
decision1 h[ev]1 %\ld be arriv$ at4 ,!  
canal project has rea*$ a /age :]e !    
f9al plan or type mu/ be det]m9$1 & x is
 ! duty ( ,congress to act & to fix1 =  
once & = all "t1 ! type ( canal1 ) !    
same c\rage & fre$om f prejudice or bias
 z 0 ! case 9 ! decision :i* f9ally fix$
 ! r\te by way ( ,panama4  ,any am\nt ( 
additional te/imony & exp]t op9ion w    
only add to ! confusion & t5d to produce
 a m hopeless /ate ( affairs4 ,let      
,congress fix ! type 9 broad outl9es &  
leave x to responsible eng9e]s 9 actual 
*>ge to solve problems 9 detail1 & to   
adapt !mselves to local conditions & to 
new problems :i* 9 ! c\rse ( con/ruction
 are c]ta9 to arise4 ,let u take c\nsel 

( ! pa/1 mo/ ( all f ! exp]i5ce ga9$ 9 !
 con/ruction ( ! ,suez ,canal1 an       
eng9e]+ & comm]cial success :i* *all5ges
 ! admiration ( ! _w4 ,we "k h[ ne> x   
came to utt] defeat by ! conflict (     
op9ion1 by ! intrigue ( conniv+ & jeal\s
 p[]s1 & la/1 b n lea/1 by ! ill-f\nd$  
appreh5sions & fe>s ( ^? :o 7 se>*+ !   
va/ doma9 ( conjecture & remote         
possibilities = argum5ts to cause a     
tempor>y delay or ultimate ab&onm5t4  ,x
 is n difficult to secure ! op9ion (    
em95t au?ority = or aga9/ any project :5
 ! facts !mselves are 9 dispute1 & :5 ! 
objects & aims are n well def9$4 ,!     
great ,"l ,palm]/on1 ! mo/ bitt] oppon5t
 ( ! ,suez ,canal s*eme1 9 want ( a m   
conv9c+ argum5t1 s]i\sly claim$ t       
,france w\ld s5d soldi]s disguis$ z     
workm5 to ! ,i/hmus ( ,suez1 lat] to    
take possession ( ,egypt & make x a     
,fr5* colony4 ,by "o me?od or ano!r     
,palm]/on tri$ to defeat ! s*eme 9 its  
beg9n+ & to br+ x to disa/] dur+ ! p]iod
 ( con/ruction4 ,x is a f> f cr$itable  

/ory4 ,hi/ory always m or less repeats  
itself1 :e!r x be 9 politics or eng9e]+ 
ent]prise1 b 9 few affairs are !re m    
conv9c+ p>allels ?an 9 ! canal projects 
( ,panama & ,suez4 ,"l ,palm]/on & ,sir 
,h5ry ,bulw]1 !n ! ambassador at        
,con/ant9ople1 did all 9 _! p[] to      
de/roy public confid5ce 9 ! ent]prise1 &
 !y 7 completely successful 9 prev5t+   
,engli% inve/m5ts 9 ! /ock ( ! canal4#b 
,x 0 ! same ,sir ,h5ry ,bulw] :o1 9     
#ahej1 succe$$ by que/ionable diplomatic
 me?ods 9 foi/+ ^u ! ,am]ican p a treaty
 :i* 0 contr>y to _! be/ int]e/s & :i* =
 half a c5tury 0 a h9drance & b>ri] to  
an ,am]ican ,i/hmian canal4 ,we owe x   
*iefly to ! ma/]ly & /raight=w>d        
/atesman%ip ( ! late ,john ,hay t ?is   
ob/acle to our progress 0 dispos$ ( to !
 entire satisfaction ( bo? nations4 ,i  
ref] to ^! matt]s1 :i* are facts (      
hi/ory1 only to po9t out h[ an          
int]m9able discussion ( matt]s ( detail 
is c]ta9 to delay & d great injury to   
projects :i* %\ld only receive          

,congressional consid]ation 9 broad     
outl9es & ^u fundam5tal pr9ciples4 ,if  
we are to ent] into a discussion (      
eng9e]+ conflicts1 if we are to         
delib]ate ^u m]e matt]s ( /ructural     
detail1 !n an entire session ( ,congress
 w n suffice to solve all ! problems :i*
 w arise 9 connection ) t ent]prise 9 ! 
c\rse ( "t4 ,i draw att5tion to ! ,suez 
exp]i5ce solely to po9t out ! error (   
tak+ into s]i\s acc\nt m9or & f>-fet*$  
objections :i* assume an undue magnitude
 9 ! public m9d :5 !y are pres5t$ 9     
lurid colors ( imp5d+ disa/]s to a      
national ent]prise ( va/ ext5t &        
importance4  ,s em95t an eng9e] z ,mr4  
,rob]t ,/eph5son by 8 exp]t op9ion      
delud$ ! ,briti% p into ! belief t !    
,suez ,canal w\ld n be practicable2 t1  
ev5 if complet$1 x w\ld be no?+ b a     
/agnant dit*4 ,said ,palm]/on to ,de    
,lesseps3       ,all ! eng9e]s ( ,europe
 might say :at !y pleas$1 he knew      m
 ?an !y did1 & 8 op9ion w\ld nev] *ange 
"o iota1      & he w\ld oppose ! "w to !

 end4  ,/eph5son confirm$ ?is view &    
held t ! canal w\ld nev] be complet$    
except at an enorm\s exp5se1 too great  
to w>rant any expectation ( return--a   
judgm5t bo? ill advis$ & errone\s z 0   
cle>ly prov$ by subsequ5t ev5ts4 ,i ne$ 
only say t ! ,suez ,canal is to-day an  
extremely pr(itable wat]way1 & t al?\gh 
! "w 0 comm5c$ & br\ght to completion   
)\t a s+le ,engli% %ill+1 ?r\gh ,fr5*   
ent]prise & ^u ! judgm5t ( ,fr5*        
eng9e]s1 x 0 only a comp>atively few    
ye>s lat] :51 z a matt] ( necessity &   
logical sequ5ce1 ! controll+ int]e/ 9 ! 
canal 0 pur*as$ by ! ,engli% gov]nm5t1  
:i* has s9ce made ( t wat]way ! mo/     
ext5sive use = purposes ( peace & ( w>4 
,^! are ! facts ( hi/ory1 & !y are n    
disput$4 ,%all hi/ory repeat itself8    
,%all we delay or misc>ry 9 our ef=ts to
 complete a canal across ! ,i/hmus (    
,panama ^u simil> pret5sions ( assum$   
dang]s & possibilities ( disa/]1 all m  
or less ! result ( eng9e]+ guesswork8   
,%all we take fright at ! talk ab\t !   

mis*ief-mak] ) 8 /ick ( dynamite1 b5t ^u
 ! de/ruction ( ! locks & ! vital p>ts (
 ! ma*9]y1 :5 hi/ory has its p>allel    
dur+ ! ,suez ,canal agitation 9 ! ,arab 
%eph]d1 :o1 flu%$ ) ! opportunity =     
mis*ief & ) a few /rokes ( a pickax1    
c\ld empty ! canal 9 a few m9utes8 ,%all
 we be sway$ by fooli% fe>s &           
appreh5sions ( e>?quakes or tidal waves1
 & wa/e millions ( money & ye>s ( "t ^u 
a pure conjecture1 a pure !ory d$uc$ f  
fragm5t>y facts8 ,aga9 ! facts ( canal  
hi/ory furni% ! p>allel ( ,/eph5son &   
o!r eng9e]s1 :o successfully fright5$   
,engli% inve/ors out ( ! ,suez ent]prise
 by ! /atem5t t ! canal w\ld soon fill  
up ) ! mov+ s&s ( ! des]t1 t "o ( !     
lakes ?r\gh :i* ! canal w\ld pass w\ld  
soon fill up ) salt1 t navigation ( !   
,r$ ,sea w\ld be too dang]\s &          
difficult1 t %ips w\ld fe> to approa*   
,port ,said because ( dang]\s seas1 &1  
f9ally1 t 9 any ev5t x w\ld be          
impossible to keep ! passage op5 to !   
,m$it]ranean4  ,x 0 ?is k9d ( guesswork 

& conjecture :i* 0 advanc$ z an argum5t 
by eng9e]s ( em95ce & su/a9$ by "o ( !  
=emo/ /atesm5 ( ! c5tury4 ,h[ absurd x  
all seems n[ 9 ! sunlight ( hi/ory6 ,!  
,panama ,canal is a bus9ess ent]prise1  
ev5 if c>ri$ on by ! nation1 & ) a      
?or\gh k ( ! g5]al facts & pr9ciples we 
require no m exp]t evid5ce1 s call$1 nor
 additional volumes ( eng9e]+ te/imony4 
,! nation is committ$ to ! con/ruction (
 a canal4 ,! ent]prise is "o ( imp]ative
 necessity to comm]ce1 navigation1 &    
national def5se1 & any fur!r discussion1
 any ne$less wa/e ( "t & money1 is      
little %ort ( indiff]5ce to ! national  
int]e/s & objects :i* are at /ake4  ,(  
objections to ei!r plan !re is no end1 &
 !re w be no end z long z ! subject     
rema9s op5 = discussion4 ,to answ] su*  
objections 9 detail1 to se>* ! records =
 pro( 9 support ( "o !ory or ano!r1 is a
 m]e wa/e ( "t :i* c lead to no possible
 useful result4 ,among o!rs1 =          
illu/ration1 !re has be5 plac$ be=e u a 
lett] f ! *ief eng9e] ( ! ,man*e/] ,%ip 

,canal1 :o is emphatically 9 favor ( a  
sea-level wat]way4 ,x w\ld h be5 mu* m  
int]e/+ & mu* m valuable to ! memb]s (  
,congress to h receiv$ f ,mr4 ,hunt] a  
/atem5t z to :y he %\ld h *ang$ 8       
op9ions2 or :y1 9 #ahih1 he %\ld h sign$
 ! unanim\s report ( ! te*nical         
commission 9 favor ( a lock canal1 :ile 
n[ he s emphatically su/a9s ^? :o favor 
! sea-level project4 ,x is n go+ too f> 
to say1 appeal+ to ! facts ( hi/ory1 t  
,mr4 ,hunt] may be s]i\sly 9 error 9 ?is
 matt] & may h drawn ^u 8 imag9ation r  
?an ^u 8 eng9e]+ exp]i5ce1 ! same z ,mr4
 ,rob]t ,/eph5son 0 9 s]i\s error 9 8   
bitt] opposition to ! canal ent]prise at
 ,suez4  ,mr4 ,hunt]1 9 8 lett]1 argues1
 among o!r po9ts1 t ! lifts ( ! propos$ 
locks w\ld be )\t prec$5t4 ,)\t prec$5t8
 ,:y1 ( c\rse1 !y w\ld be )\t prec$5t4  
,is n practically e l>ge ,am]ican       
eng9e]+ ent]prise )\t prec$5t8 ,0 n !   
,erie ,canal1 complet$ 9 #ahbe1 )\t     
prec$5t8 ,7 n ! fir/ /eamboat & ! fir/  
locomotive )\t prec$5t8 ,7 n ! ,hoosac  

,tunnel & ! ,brooklyn ,bridge feats (   
,am]ican eng9e]+ ent]prise )\t prec$5t8 
,)\t prec$5t is ! great b>ge canal :i* !
 ,/ate ( ,new ,york is ab\t to build1   
:i* w mean a complete recon/ruction ( ! 
exi/+ wat]way :i* connects ! ocean ) !  
,great ,lakes4#c  ,all ?is is )\t       
prec$5t4 ,b x is ,am]ican4 ,x is        
progress1 & takes ! necess>y risk to    
leave ! _w bett]1 at lea/ 9 a mat]ial   
way1 ?an we f\nd x4 ,9 ! propos$ deep   
wat]way1 :i* is c]ta9 "s day to be built
 to connect ! utt]mo/ ends ( ! ,great   
,lakes ) tide-wat] on ! ,atlantic1 able 
& compet5t eng9e]s ( ! l>ge/ exp]i5ce h 
design$ locks ) a lift ( #eb feet4#d ,t 
w be )\t prec$5t4 ,on ! ,oswego ,canal1 
propos$ z a "p ( ! new b>ge canal ( !   
,/ate ( ,new ,york1 !re w be six locks1 
two ( :i* w ea* h a lift ( #bh feet1#e &
 t w be )\t prec$5t1 b nei!r dang]\s nor
 detrim5tal to navigation int]e/s4  ,ne$
 ,i fur!r appeal to ! facts ( pa/ canal 
hi/ory8 ,is x necess>y to recite "o ( ! 
be/ kn[n & mo/ honorable *apt]s 9 !     

hi/ory ( inl& wat]ways--,i mean !       
problems & difficulties inh]5t 9 ! great
 project ( con/ruct+ ! canal (          
,langu$oc1 or ,canal du ,midi1 :i* =ms a
 wat] communication betwe5 !            
,m$it]ranean & ! ,g>onne & betwe5 !     
,g>onne & ! ,atlantic ,ocean1 "o ( ! be/
 kn[n canals 9 ,france & 9 ! _w8 ,ne$ ,i
 ref] to t pa!tic /ory ( its *ief       
eng9e]1 ,riquet1 "o ( ! greate/ ( ,fr5* 
patriots1 :o1 9 8 abid+ fai? 9 ?is great
 eng9e]+ feat1 /ood practically alone8  
,ne$ ,i recall t he met ) scant         
assi/ance f ! gov]nm5t1 ) ! mo/ /r5u\s  
opposition f 8 c\ntrym52 t he 0 treat$  
ev5 z a madman & t he di$ ( a brok5 he>t
 be=e ! great "w 0 f9i%$8  ,t canal /&s 
to-day z an eng9e]+ ma/]work & z a mo/  
sugge/ive illu/ration ( man's +5uity &  
p[] to ov]come app>5tly insup]able      
natural ob/acles4 ,x has be5 9 exi/5ce &
 successful op]ation1 ,i ?9k1 s9ce      
#afha4 ,= a six? "p ( its di/ance x is  
c>ri$ ov] m\nta9s deeply excavat$4 ,x   
has1 ,i ?9k1 n9ety-n9e locks & viaducts1

 & z "o ( its mo/ wond]ful features x   
has an octuple lock1 or eight locks 9   
flight1 l a ladd] f ! top ( a cliff to !
 valley bel[4 ,if 9 #afha a ,fr5* eng9e]
 _h ! ability & ! d>+ to conceive &     
con/ruct an octuple lock1 w any "o      
ma9ta9 t m ?an two hundr$ ye>s lat]1 )  
all ! enorm\s advance 9 eng9e]+1 ) a    
bett] k ( hydraulics & a m p]fect me?od 
( transportation & h&l+ ( mat]ials--w   
any "o ma9ta9 t we are n to-day compet5t
 to con/ruct successfully a lock canal  
su* z is propos$ to be built at ,panama 
^u ! judgm5t ( ,am]ican eng9e]s8  ,mr4  
,presid5t1 ! ov]%ad[+ importance ( !    
subject has l$ me to ext5d my rem>ks f> 
beyond my orig9al int5tion4 ,i express  
my /rong convictions 9 favor ( a lock   
canal & ( ! necessity = an e>ly &       
specific decl>ation ( ,congress reg>d+ !
 f9al plan or type ( canal :i* ! nation 
wants to h built at ,panama4 ,i am      
confid5t t x lies entirely )9 our p[] & 
means to build ei!r type ( wat]way2 t   
our eng9e]+ skill c successfully solve !

 te*nical problems involv$ 9 ei!r ! lock
 or ! sea-level plan2 b !re is "o       
all-important factor :i* controls1 &    
:i*1 9 my op9ion1 %\ld h m weight ?an   
any o!r1 & t is ! elem5t ( "t4 ,if ,i   
c\ld advance no o!r reasons1 if ,i knew 
( no bett] argum5t 9 favor ( a lock     
canal1 my convictions w\ld su/a9 !      
project :i* c be complet$ )9 a          
measurable di/ance ( ye>s & = ! b5efit &
 to ! advantage ( ! pres5t g5]ation4 ,"t
 flies1 & ! ye>s pass rapidly4 ,%all ?is
 project langui% & l+] & become ! spoil 
( political controv]sy & a subject (    
political attack8 ,c we conceive ( any?+
 m likely to prove disa/r\s to ! canal  
project ?an political /rife1 :i* prov$ !
 undo+ ( ! ,fr5* canal ent]prise at     
,panama8  ,%all ! success ( ?is great   
project be imp]il$ by ! possible *anges 
9 ! =tunes ( p>ties8 ,%all we incur !   
risk t *anges 9 economic conditions1 h>d
 times1 or panic & indu/rial depressions
 may br+ ab\t8 ,"t flies1 & 9 ! progress
 ( indu/ry & comm]ce1 9 int]national    

competition & ! gr[? ( mod]n nations1 no
 factor is ( m supreme importance ?an ! 
ye>s1 ) new opportunities = political & 
comm]cial developm5t4 ,%all we1 !n1     
neglect our *ances8 ,%all we fail to    
make ! mo/ ( ?is ! greate/ opportunity =
 ! ext5sion ( our comm]ce & navigation  
into ! mo/ di/ant seas :i* w ev] come to
 u 9 our hi/ory1 because ( ! dem&s (    
ideali/s1 :o1 ) !oretical notions ( !   
ultimately desirable1 w\ld deprive !    
nation & ! _w ( :at is necess>y &       
indisp5sable to ^? :o are liv+ n[8  ,va/
 comm]cial & political consequ5ces w    
foll[ ! op5+ ( ! transi/hmian wat]way4  
,9 ! annals ( comm]ce & navigation x is 
n conceivable t !re w ev] be a great]   
ev5t or "o fraught ) m mom5t\s          
consequ5ces ?an un9t]rupt$ navigation   
betwe5 ! ,atlantic & ! ,pacific4 ,little
 en\gh c we compreh5d or anticipate :at 
! f>-di/ant future w br+ =?1 b ?is mu*  
we "k--t x is our duty to solve !       
problems ( to-day & n to indulge 9      
dreams & fancies 9 a va9 ef=t to solve !

 problems ( a f>-di/ant future4  ,b     
money also c\nts4 ,c we def5d an        
exp5diture ( an additional #ajj1jjj1jjj 
or m = objects s remote1 & ^u a basis ( 
!ory & fact s sl5d] & s op5 to "q1 :5 a 
plan & a project feasible & practicable 
is be=e u :i* w meet all ( our ne$s & ! 
ne$s ( g5]ations to come8 ,%all we      
disreg>d 9 ! build+ ( ?is canal e       
pr9ciple ( a s\nd national economy &    
commit ourselves to an enorm\s wa/e (   
funds & to ! imposition ( ne$less burd5s
 ^u ! taxpay]s ( ?is nation & ^u !      
comm]ce ( ! _w8 ,at lea/ #b1jjj1jjj m p]
 annum w be requir$ 9 additional int]e/ 
*>ges1 at lea/ #ajj1jjj1jjj m w be      
necess>y z an orig9al inve/m5t4 ,d we   
fully realize :at t am\nt ( money w\ld d
 if appli$ to o!r national purposes &   
projects8  ,i want to place on record my
 convictions & ! reasons gov]n+ my vote 
9 favor ( ! m9ority report = a lock     
canal across ! ,i/hmus at ,panama4 ,i   
ent]$ ^u an inve/igation ( ! subject )\t
 prejudice or bias & h exam9$ ! facts z 

!y h be5 pres5t$ & z !y are a matt] (   
record & ( hi/ory4 ,i h he>d or read )  
c>e ! evid5ce z x has be5 pres5t$ by !  
,bo>d ( ,consult+ ,eng9e]s & ! va/ am\nt
 ( oral te/imony be=e ! ,s5ate          
,committee on ,int]oceanic ,affairs4 ,i 
am confid5t t ! m9ority judgm5t is !    
bett] & t x c be m reli$ ^u1 because x  
is /rictly 9 con=mity ) ! entire hi/ory 
( ! ,i/hmian canal project4 ,i am       
confid5t t ! objections :i* h be5 rais$ 
aga9/ ! lock plan are an undue          
exagg]ation ( difficulties su* z are    
inh]5t 9 e great eng9e]+ project1 & :i*1
 ,i h n ! slighte/ d\bt1 w be           
successfully solv$ by ,am]ican eng9e]s1 
9 ! light ( ,am]ican exp]i5ce1 exactly z
 simil> difficulties h be5 solv$ 9 _m   
o!r ent]prises ( great magnitude4  ,i am
 n impress$ ) ! reasons & argum5ts      
advanc$ by ^? :o favor ! sea-level      
project1 = !y d n appeal to me z be+    
s\nd1 & 9 "s in/ances !y come p]il\sly  
ne> to be+ eng9e]+ guesswork *>act]i/ic 
( ! e>li] ent]prises ( ,de ,lesseps4 ,i 

_c b ?9k t bias & prejudice are l>gely  
responsible = ! judgm5t ( =eign eng9e]s 
s pron\nc$ 9 favor ( a sea-level        
project4 ,fur!rmore1 ,i am entirely     
conv9c$ t ! judgm5t & exp]i5ce (        
,am]ican eng9e]s 9 favor ( a lock canal 
may be reli$ ^u ) entire confid5ce1 & t 
su* an ent]prise w be br\ght to a       
successful t]m9ation4 ,i believe t 9 a  
national und]tak+ ( ?is k9d1 fraught ) !
 grave/ possible political & comm]cial  
consequ5ces1 only ! judgm5t ( our own p 
%\ld gov]n1 = ! protection ( our own    
int]e/s1 :i* are prim>ily at /ake4 ,i   
also pref] to accept ! view &           
convictions ( ! memb]s ( ! ,i/hmian     
,commission1 & ( its *ief eng9e]1 a man 
( extraord9>y ability & l>ge exp]i5ce4  
,x is a subject ^u :i* op9ions w diff] &
 ^u :i* hone/ convictions may be widely 
at v>iance1 b 9 a "q ( su* surpass+     
importance to ! nation1 ,i1 = "o1 %all  
side ) ^? :o take ! ,am]ican po9t (     
view1 place _! reliance ^u ,am]ican     
exp]i5ce1 & %[ _! fai? 9 ,am]ican       

eng9e]s4  ,illu/ration3 ,f\nd$ by ,,john
 ,f4 ,,dryd5  ,pione] ( ,indu/rial      
,insurance 9 ,am]ica  ,,! ,,prud5tial   
,,insurance ,,company ,,( ,,am]ica      
,incorporat$ "u ! laws ( ! ,/ate ( ,new 
,j]sey  ,,=re/ ,f4 ,,dryd51 ,presid5t   
,,home ,,(fice1 ,,new>k1 ,,new ,,j]sey  
,,footnotes3  #a ,report ( ! ,new       
,panama ,canal ,company ( ,france2      
,s5ate ,docum5t #ahh1 #ef? ,congress1   
#a/ session1 ,febru>y #bj1 #aijj4  #b ,!
 ,m>itime ,canal ( ,suez1 f its         
inauguration1 ,novemb] #ag1 #ahfi1 to ! 
ye> #ahhd1 by ,pr(4 ,j4,e4 ,n\rse1      
,u4,s4,n41 ,wa%+ton1 #ahhd 7,s5ate      
,docum5t #aih1 #dh? ,congress1 #a/      
session74  #c ,= a hi/ory ( ,am]ican    
canal build+ ent]prises see ,hi/ory (   
,new ,york ,canals1 *4 #e4  #d ,report (
 ! ,bo>d ( ,eng9e]s on ,deep ,wat]ways1 
,h4 ( ,r41 ,doc4 ,no4 #adi1 #ef?        
,congress4 #b;d session1 ,atlas4  #e    
,hi/ory ( ,new ,york ,canals1 ,app5dix  
,l4 ,annual ,report ( ! ,/ate ,eng9e] & 
,surveyor4 ,vol4 ,,ii1 ,albany1 ,n4,y41 

#aije4