THE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
NORTH PLATTE. NEBRASKA.
S
HE Gffi CLEAR
L
Removal of About Ten Million
Cubic Yards of Dirt
End Slides.
CAN'T SET FINAL OPENING
Nothing to Do Now but Carry Away
Earth as It Appears Underlying
Strata Not Strong Enough
to Withstand Pressure
of Banks.
Washington. General Goethala has
sent a long report from Panama on
the recent slides In the hlg ditch. Ho
estimates that from seven to thirteen
million cubic yards of earth will have
to bo removed from the- cut before the
Blldes are entirely stopped. Ho bo
licves that tho amount will really
provo to bo about ten million cubic
yards. It should not bo inferred, how
ever, that tho canal must bo closed
for ten months, or until this largo
amount is taken out, for it Is tho in
tention to pas3 ships a3 soon as a nav
igable channel Is opened with a fair
prospect of maintaining It. Ho does
not know Just when this will bo ac
complished. Canal Means Much Loss to Shipping.
Whllo no figures are avallablo at
tho Washington office of tho Panama
canal or at tho war department, show
ing tho actual losses sustained by com
merce by reason of having large num
bers of ships tied up at the Atlantic
and Pacific entrances to tho canal, of
ficials concedo that tho losses have
been enormous. Thero 1b a feeling,
however, that some shippers aro In
clined to exaggerate their losses. Only
tho shippers can give actual figures of
their losses or oven approximate them.
Tho loss to commerce would not
have boon as great had the Panama
railroad been In position to move a
larger volumo of traffic across tho
Isthmus. Tho Inadequacy of tho old
rail system to meet the situation can
bo realized when it is known that at
the height of Its activity beforo the
opening of the canal it hauled a total
of 643,178 tons across tho Isthmus
In 12 months. Thero were about 375,
000 tons of cargo In vessels awaiting
passago through tho canal after tho
elides blockaded it and before any of
them left to take tho longer routes.
Even If tho Panama railroad had pre
served all of Its rolling stock much of
which went out of business when the
:anal was thrown open to traffic a
year ago, It would have required
months tp movo the freight tied up at
the Atlantic and Pacific ports about
October 1, to say nothing of what has
arrived since.
Governor Goethals and tho Panama
railroad authorities aro doing every
thing possiblo to facilitate traffic
across tho Isthmus by rail, giving pref
erence to "rush" and perishable com
modities. Between October 1 and Oc
tober 18 tho railroad moved upward
of forty-six thousand tons of through
freight transshipped from tho Atlantic
and Pacific sides, in addition to tho
usual volume of 10,000 tons of local
freight.
Minimum Flat Rate by Rail.
Including coal shipments, tho Pan
ama railroad Is now handling between
four and live thousand ton of trans
Isthmian freight per day. Two extra
freight crows have been put on. Tho
run across tho isthmus is about 2
hours. At the time tho great slides
occurred tho traffic through tho canal
was averaging upward of sixteon thou
sand tons.daily and gradually Increas
ing. While the railroad's facilities
are wholly Inadequate to handlo tho
entire traffic, it Is taking care of con
siderable of it.
To make the financial loss as light
as poBsiblo on shippers Secretary of
War Garrison Issued an order estab
lishing temporarily a Hat rate rato by
rail of $3 per ton. Tho regular rates
range from $2 per ton on Class 5 com
modities to $15 on Classes D2 and Tl.
While only a small volumo of traffic
moves under tho higher classes, tho
flat rato of $3 per ton is exceptionally
low. Shippers can elect to pay tho
regular schedule of rates. Including
wharfage, craneage and stevedoring.
Tjie flat rato of $3 covers all of theso
charges and just meets tho actual cost
of tho operation.
Discusses Earlier Slides.
General Goethals In the first part of
his oxhaustlvo report discusses tho
causes of tho earlier slides, tho theo
ries offered In explanation of them,
and tho steps taken to check tho move
ment of tho banks nnd bottom of the
ditch. Then ho comes to the slides
of October of last year and their
treatment. He says In part:
"Ships were passed through tho ca
nal when a channel of sufficient width
and depth was dredged through Cuca
racha slide, and when thero was every
reasonable hope of maintaining It. In
this respect thero was no subsequent
disappointment, and the dredges woro
completing their work in thiB locality
when, on October U. 1314, without
any warning, a section of the east bank
north of Gold hill settled vertically 20
feet. This section measured 2.000 feet
nlong tho prism face and extended
back about 1.000 feet from tho axis of
the canal, generally along an Irregu
lar curved lino.
Tho top of tho bank was from 300
GOETHALS
PAil
OA
to 3fu feet above sea level, and the
extension of the ground eastward was
relatively flat country. In tho settle
ment tho upper portion that broke
away remnlned practically parallol to
Its original position and tho benches
which formed tho upper part of tho
slide had not changed their rclatlvo
positions, though they were badly
broken up while tho lower strata wore
squeezed out across tho canal.
"Subsequently tho broken mass
moved Into tho cut. reducing tho depth
of water from 45 feet to nlno Inches at
ono point. Until August. l'JIC. tho
dredges wero able for tho most part
to keep up with tho movement as It
camo down, and probably would have
been ablo to maintain this condition
had not a movement occurred on tho
west bank, necessitating work on this
side to tho detriment of tho east side.
Where Obstruction Lies.
"A crack was found on tho slopo of
Zlon hlll in Juno, 1014, but observa
tions mado upon It showed no move
ment and the solidity of tho hill was
never doubted. Subsequent to tho
break on tho east side a gradual but
general breaking up of tho west bank
followed, and tho crack on tho slope
Increased In size and new ones devel
oped farther up tho hill, until finally
ono extended to elevation 480, tho
limit of tho present break. Tho move
ment Into tho cut from tho west bank
occurred early In August, 1915. when
a section of Zion hill broke away and
settled down. Tho edgo of tho break
on this side Is also a curve.
"The movements from tho two sides
are toward tho central portion of the
Inclosed area, and at this central por
tion is tho obstruction to tho channel.
It first appeared bb an island forced
up from tho bottom, then as a penin
sula projecting from tho east bank,
and. Anally, was pushed entirely
across tho channel, completely clos
ing it.
"The dredges in attacking tho clos
ure have mado llttlo headway thus
far, for any gain was offset by a
movement in tho vicinity or In tho
rear of tho dredges, forcing them to
withdraw and begin again their ap
proaches on it. Theso auccesslvo
movements aro duo in largo measure
to tho rains, which were abovo tho
average through October. Tho amount
of material blocking tho canal at this
locality could bo easily removed In ton
days but for tho recurring movements.
When a cut is secured through this
mass and it can be held, some idea
can bo formed of when tho passago
of ships can be resumed, but until this
Is accomplished It Is Impossible to
make any predictions.
Sluicing Produces Results.
"Sluicing tho obstruction is produc
ing some results, and the nozzles aro
being increased and streams with
greater pressure aro to bo put at work
to force tho material to tho dredges
and to draw down tho material which
Is tho cause of obstruction. This sluic
ing, however, will not decreaso tho
amount of material to bo handled by
tho dredges. In tho meantime, tho
dredges not employed on tho obstruc
tion are working to tho north of It dig
ging tho channel to full depth and as
much wider than tho prism as Is nec
essary to remove those portions of tho
slide.
"In moving toward tho cut the ma
terial on tho east side Is forming into
a succession of waves, which movo
gradually Into tho prism. Tho ono
that occupied part of tho channel In
October Is being dug away, except at
tho obiH'ruction, another has formed In
its rear, and still another is forming
up the slope of the hill. This mate
rial In moving down has at tho samo
time taken away tho support of tho
overlying rock on tho north sldo of
Gold hill, which, being seamed, bo
comen overbalanced and breaks away,
producing the samo results as oc
curred on tho south faco of Gold hill
during the removal of Cucarocha
slide.
"On tho west bank the wavo effect
Is also evident. Hero the hank was
pushed forward horizontally into tho
channel, followed by a settlement of
the mass. Tho benches In some por
tions still maintain their relative posi
tion with respect to each other, but
tho ground In their rear settled, form
ing sink holes on tho sldo away from
the prism. Thoro Is some movement
northward along tho axis of these de
pressions Into tho prism. Tho south
ern portion of this west bank has
como to rest, but projects Into tho
channel.
"Tho breaks In tho vicinity of Cu
lebra cut wero handled by excavations
In tho prism and by steam shovels
lightening tho banks abovo; at Cuca
racha a great deal of material was di
verted from the prism by sluicing.
When tho break of October 19, 1911,
occurred an examination was mado
to ascertain If relief could be afford
ed by elthor of theso methods, hut nei
ther was practicable for tho east bank.
Some of the Difficulties.
"Tho configuration of tho ground
made It Imposslhlo to slulco any mate
rial away from tho prism. Steam shov
els and trains could not operate on
any portion of tho broken mass, which
was Incapable of giving them neces
sary support, and bo far as concerned
tho stretch of ground between tho
break and tho limiting crack, It was
In such condition that beforo prepara
tions could bo completed for begin
ning work It would bo broken up so
that steam shovels could effect noth
ing; subsequent developments hn"
verified this. No further cracKs or
Indications of a further oxtenslon emit
ward have occurred, and Judging from
past experience tho existing jlinlla
aro doflnltely marked, tho farthest sec
tion being 1,300 feet from tho east
water lino of tho canal.
"Similar Investigations wero mado
with regard to tho use of steam shov
els and sluicing operations on the west
bank. Tbe configuration of tho ground
Is such that ull tho material in the
present movement will bo taken awny
long beforo tho area Involved could bo
reached. Like the cast sldo, Blulclng
away from tho direction of tho prism
is impracticable
"Tho conclusion reached, therefore,
was that tho only method of handling
tho slides on tho two banks Is to re
move tho material from the prism by
dredges as it comes In. Tho breaks
on tho two bankB nro clearly defined,
and Judging from experience with
other slides and breaks, tho limits of
tho movement havo been reached.
Confirmed by Geologists.
"Mr. MacOonald. tho geologist for
merly employed, passed through hero
on his way to Costa Rica thrco wcekn
ago, and, after going thoroughly ovor
tho slides, reached tho samo conclu
sions as to the limits to which the
sliding would tako placo. and tho
methods employed for handling tho
material. Ills profession, his Intimate
knowledgo of tho formation of tho lo
cality and his exporlcnco with tho va
rious slides and breaks ranko his opin
ions on tho subject of value. Ho also
expressed tho belief that tho troubles
duo to slides would end with tho re
moval of tho material from those in
progress.
"When tho break occurred In Octo
ber, 1914, and tho subsequent breaking
up of tho west bank becamo evident,
It was decided to augment tho dredg
ing fleet by another 15-yard dipper
dredgo and threo 1,000-cubIc-yard
barges, all of which aro now In serv
ice, and the dredges aro handling at
tho slide nearly a million cubic yards
per month at a cost less than 30 cents
per cubic yard.
"As to tho amounts Involved. It Is
difficult to make any reliable esti
mate. As 'already stated, when the
break occurred at Cucaracha In 1913,
It was estimated that 2,000,000 cubic
yards woro Involved, but beforo tho
movement ceased 4,079,238 cubic yards
wero taken out by steam shovels and
dredges, In addition to upward of a
million cubic yards of material which
would havo entored tho prism had It
not been removed by sluicing.
"Tho length of tho slides, which
aro directly opposite each other, Is
approximately 2,200 feet (tho channel
through which Is nnvlgatilo with the
exception of 000 feet); tho banks are
300 to 350 feet above sea level on tho
oast and extend up to 480 feet abovo
sea level on tho west. The area of
tho territory affected on the east sldo
covers 81 acres and on tho west sldo
78.5 acres.
Must Reach Angle of Repose.
"Assuming that all material, lying
abovo planes extending from tho out
side limits of tho bottom of the prism,
referred to. up to tho limits of tho
breaks, will move Into tho cut, 7,000,
000 cubic yards will have to bo re
moved before tho Blldes are entirely
stopped. Mr. Comber, resident engi
neer of tho dredging division, as
sumed a surface parallel to tho sur
face, existing on October 14, tho date
of tho last complete survey, and 45
feet below it, on which basis 13,000,000
cubic yards would bo tho quantity to
be handled. Ho thinks, however, that
a mean between tho two amounts may
bo more nearly correct, which was the
method of arriving at tho 10,000,000
cubic yard figure which has appeared
in tho press. It is at best only a
guess.
"It must not bo Inferred from this
that tho canal will bo closed until this
amount Is dredged, for such Is not the
case; on tho contrary, It is tho inten
tion to pass, ships as soon as a channel
Is secured through tho remaining COO
"feet, and thero aro reasonablo grounds
for assuming that a channel through
the obstructed area can bo maintained.
"It Is certain that the troubles aro
duo to tho falluro of underlying strata
because theso wero uriablo to bear tho
weight that tho banks brought upon
them. Under the circumstances it Is
difficult to understand tho impression
that has gained credence In somo quar
ters that a sea-level canal would havo
avoided tho difficulties encountered,
since tho cutting would havo been
through tho same material, but at least
eighty foot deeper.
"It Is also certain that nothing can
stop tho movement now In progress
until tho angle of repoBO Is reached for
tho materials under tho conditions
that oxist, and that this can bo
reached only by romovlng tho excess
amount of material. If experience
counts for aught, then that gained in
tho handling of tho slides and tho
breaks that havo occurred along the
lino of tho canal leaves no doubt that
tho means adopted and now In use will
effect a euro In tho slides that now
closo tho canal; furthermore, that
when cured no further troubles need
bo anticipated from slides In this lo
callty."
BOUND TO GET A HUBBY
Woman Yells "Stop Thief" When Mar.
Bolts at License Clerk's
Desk.
Chicago. A cry of "stop thief" pre
vented tho escapo of a bashful bride
groom hero a fow days ago. After
two years' courtship Stephen AlcIJott
and Mrs. Marin AlphonHo went to the
city hall to get a marriage license.
Then McUott weakened. As he start
ed toward tho strcot at top speed Mra.
Alphonso screnmed:
"Stop thlof! Ho lias got ray pock
ctbook." McHott was captured by a patrol
man and taken to Qentral station,
whero tho woman broke down. "Ilo's
not a thief," she confessed, "Hut I
I know If ho got away now he'd never
got this closo again." Later the
' couple got tho license and started for
tho church.
IllilBf
PREPARE HOUSE FOR WINTER
First Move Should Be in Direction of
Cleanliness Disinfect Before
Furnishing New Litter-
Hoforo tho cold weather comes on,
put tho hen houso In winter shape,
says a raiser of chickens In an ex
change. Tho first movo should bo In
tho direction of cleanliness. Remove
every movablo object, boxes, barrels,
etc., sweep thoroughly overhoad and
underfoot, after scraping cut all drop
pings. Then disinfect beforo ro!!HIng
Bcratch-lltter. Whitewash with tin
Blacked llrao to which kcroscno has
been added, If other Insecticides seem
too exp'onslvo, and lay It on generous
ly. Paris green In tho wash Is excel
lent as a germ killer, but fill all cracks
Everywhere.
Next, If water Is prone to freeze In
tho coldest weather, mako tho hennery
warm with a doad air spaco between
tho walls and a sheathing of building
paper. I recommend a cheap grado of
paper because It will nocd to bo torn
off In tho spring when tho periodical
drlvo against Insects is Inaugurated.
Then put on a storm door, howover
rude, to overlap tho cracks around tho
ordinary entrance, disinfect drinking
dishes, look to ventilation without
drafts, and mako suro that tho floor Is
worm, oven If a banking of earth or
sawdust has to bo applied. Put In a
big supply of road dust for baths and
plenty of gravel and sharp grit.
Now cull tho flock and get tho rest
adapted to tho changed appearance of
things early, so tho laying which Is
rovlved after molting, will not rocolvo
a setback, as is usually tho caso after
any abrupt alteration.
CHICKENS IN LIMITED SPACE
House Shown In Illustration Is Par
ticularly Constructed to Givo Am
ple Protection.
Tho poultry house shown In the ac
companying Illustration will appeal
particularly to those who wish to keep
tho largest possiblo number of egg
producing birds In a limited space,
and Is particularly constructed to glvo
protection against cold, damp and
wind. It really consists of an outor
shed with a gabled roof covering tho
entire floor space, and an inner con
struction with a non-conducting roof
to neutrallzo changes of tcmperaturo.
Tho wholo floor, with tho exception of
a passago at the back, is scratching
space.
Tho perches aro hung from tho in
ner roof by Iron hooks, thus being
vermin proof, and boncath aro tho
nesting boxes. Food and water aro
supplied on tho raised platform out
Bide tho roosting place, tho hens get
ting additional exerclso from going
Winter Hen House.
up and down ladder ways to their
meals. Thq ventilation both day and
night Is perfect, the air coning In
through an open wire front, circulat
ing between tho roofs and undor tho
floor of tho roosts, etc., and through
tho nesting compartment. At night,
when tho birds aro roosting, tho
Bcratchlng Bpaco can bo left opon ex
cept for wire doors, and tho Utter
turned and thoroughly sweetened
ready for next day. Tho entlro floor
spaco Is 323 feet, .but tho houso can bo
extended indefinitely and econom
ically. PREPARE FOR COLD WEATHER
Broods of Chickens Scattered Hero
and There Must Be Gathered In
Idle Hens Don't Lay.
When tho cold winds of autumn bo
gin to blow now cares and rc&ponsl
bllitics confront tho poultryman nnd
woman. DrcodB of chickens which
havo been scattered hero and thero In
order to keep them separated must be
gathered In and housed, for tho severe
weather of tho wlntor is at hand.
Supplies of vegetables must be
stored, gravel for tho hens and sand
for tho ducks must be boxed or stored
away In tho dry, whllo still finer Hand
or fine earth must bo procured for the
much needed dust bath. Straw or some
kind of clean litter muflt bo forthcom
ing for scratching material to keep
tho biddies bUBy through thb long dark
dayB of winter. Idlo hens aro not lay
ing hens. Even tho forest and fruit
treo leaves may bo utilized for this
purpose.
Shelter Ducks In Winter.
Ducks prefer staying out In tholr
runs all night, and thiB Is best for
them during tho summer season, but
they aro better protected In well
ventilated sheds or houses during the
winter season.
mm
F SKINNERS
Macaroni Product
HERE'S a fine opportunity to get a beautiful set of
silverware for your table at no cost to you.
Charming Bridal Wreath design. Guaranteed for
ten years. Save the signatures from Skinner packages.
Write us and we will give you full details. Also tell
you about the
Nine Different Skinner Products
Macaroni, Spaghetti, Egg Noodles, Cut Macaroni, Cut Spaghetti,
Elbows, Soup Rings, Alphabetos,Verrnlcelli. Con bo cooked into 58
different dishes. Can bo combined with meat, cheese, tomatoes, fish,
muthroomi, oytlcrt, etc. Serve Skinner's often and cut down on meat bUla.
5- J r..
Cnd LOUpOtl
will tell you
Skinner
COULD MAKE HUBBY USEFUL
Mrs. Torklns Has a Bright Idea for
Use in Event Her Cause
Was Defeated.
"Charley, dear," Batd young Mrs.
Torklns, "I don't want you to worry
about our votes for women campaign."
"I'm not going to."
'Tlut I want you to bo prepared to
lift your volco In caso It Is needed. I
realize that thoro aro lncldonts of po
litical responsibility which woman
with her refined sensibilities Is unablo
to moot."
"Ib that bo?"
"Yes. .ou romomber how disap
pointed 1 was at tho result In Now
Jorsoy. When I mentioned It to you
you dismissed tin matter with a pro
fano expletive."
"I apologize."
"Don't. I'vo invited our club to bo
hero on Wednesday morning to hear
how well you can talk about It in caao
wo'ro defeated on Tuesday." Wash
Ington Star.
Make Visit With Sick Short.
Tho sick room, abovo all else, Is the
placo for chcerfulnoso. A peaceful
stato of mind and bright, chocrful sur
roundings aro essential, to tho regain
ing of health, and" phySlcIans 'say : tliai
sick persons aro often kept in bed
longer than is necessary by discour
aging or disquieting remarks mado by
visitors to tho sick room.
Another thing to romombor is not
to stay too long when visiting a Blck
person. Tho invalid tires easily and
long visits aro likoly to havo a harm
ful oltcct. Hun In two or three times
a week, tako a flowor or a bright pot
tod plant, oomo dainty dish, maga
zines or books, and you will find that
your visits will bo looked forward to
and will bo a real benefit to tho suf
ferer. Iowa Homestead.
Will Get the Oyster.
Lawyer I think 1 shall spent next
summer hero.
"Why not this year?"
"Becauso thoro la a lawsuit this year
between two parties about this prop
orty, and I shall probably own it noxt
summer." HumorlBtlcko Listy
(Prague).
Gossip Is always short lived, except
when properly ventilated.
Don't rldlculo other people's idcaB.
Try to have them adopt yours.
Farmers
II f A
mm h m h
ib tl mm wa
1 USB
11 VMM m
J jkS Skinner Mff. Co.. Dept. C . Omaha. Neb.
IS ,HP??r7 'ttmV&SfSSt' if t1eMfndrne full Information how I eanob- !
AmtmlTvl aW I vV0tv tln OnliAa Community Tar l'Uta f31N,rware by 8
(Jl WkCnJV"- r U lni the trade-mark i!gnttur from BklDMr
YTylV ySwSyiA Macaroni Product.
wheat, more oats, more grain for feed, 20 more cattle than
last year and more hogs. The war market in Europe needs
our surplus. As for the wheat crop, it is marvelous and a monument of strength
forbusinessconfidencetobuildupon.exccedinBthemostoptimlsticpredictions."
Wheat averaged In 1915 over 25 bushels par acre
Oats averaged In 1915 ovor 45 bushels per acrm
Barley averaged In 1915 ovor 40busholspor aero
Prices are high, markets convenient,
jrovea or oinerwise, ranging iroin $is to per acre. Free homestead
ands are plentiful and not far from railway lines and convenient to jrood
schools and churches. The climate
There Is no war Isx on land, nor Is there any conscrlplloa. For complete Inter
nation as to best locations for settlement, reduced railroad rates and descriptive illustrated
pamphlet, address Superintendent Immigration. Ottawa, or
W. V. DENNETT, Room 4, Bee Bldfj., Omaha, Nebr.
Canadian Government Agent
TVi7ii Get a complete set of Oneida Com.
lOaay munlty Par Plate Silverware f.YVs
how. in the meantime ave ine signatures iron
package!. All gooa grocers tell
Skinner rroductt cneaper
MBHRMBHRHSiaB'
Rebuilt Love Letters.
"Hear about Smith? Ho found a
big pnekugo of lovo lottors ho sent to
his wife years ago. Ho has a great
Idea. ou can't guess what it 1b."
"Going to burn thorn?"
"Docs ho expect to publish them?"
"Ubo 'em to heat his houso?"
"You aro all wrong. Ho Is going to
chango tho dates and send thorn to
her whllo alio is In tho country this
summer."
J
Scratch.
Tommy and Froddlo woro arguing;
hotly. "I toll you," voclforatodi
Tommy, "ho is my pa, ho Is!"
Frcddlo laughed scornfully. "Ho
ain't oither your paw."
"Hho Is ho 1b! My ma says ho b,
too."
"And my maw says ho's a cat's
paw!" Judgo.
Important to Mothors
Examlno carefully every bottle oj
CASTORIA, a safe and euro remedy tot
Infanta and chlldron, and see that It
SlSre'S CTT
In TJHe For Over 30 Yearn.
Children Cry for Fletcher'a Caetorii
Fixing tho Blame.
"Do you boliova in hoodooa?" asked
tho superstitious porsqn.
"Well," ropllod tho man who had
failed to mako good In a dozen differ
ent enterprises, "I've got to preserve
my self-respect, you know."
Not Gray Ilnlru bat Tired Eyes
in nit o us loolc older than we are. Keep
your Eyes young and you will look young.
After the Movies Murine Your Eyea. Don't
toll your nse. Murine Eyo Romedy Co.,
Chicago, Sends Eyo Book on request.
Taken at His Word.
Ho (passionately) I would go to
tho end of tho earth for you.
Sho (calmly) Good-by.
To Curo a Cold In One Day
Take LAXATIVE DIIOMO QUININE Tablets,
Orugglits refund money if it fails to cure. B. W.
CKOVU S signature ii on each box. aio.
Precarious Position.
"Why did you toll that man yoo
wero aorry to hoar ho had a family?"
"BecauBe ho's a Malno guide."
To keep clean and healthy take Br.
Pierco's l'leaennt PclletH. They regulaU
liver, bowels and stomach. Adv.
Thero is no lovo co Incurably blind
1 as self-love.
Three Hundred Million
Bushel Crop in 1915
pay for Iheir land with one year') crop
and prosperity was never so great.
Regarding Western Canada as a grain
producer, a prominent business man
says: "Canada's position today is
excellent land, low in price either Im-
is healthful.
