- PANAMA RAILROAD COMPANY. : 21 ©

The main line between Colon and Gatun has been practically
rebuilt and a 30-pair No. 19 gauge cable run in. This was made
necessary on account of the closeness to right of way of the pole line,
the overloaded condition of the line, and the necessity of providing
an additional 10-pin cross arm for automatic signal wires. It was
also necessary to move this line a sufficient distance from the right of
way to give clearance for the construction of the trans-Isthmian
transmission line, the towers of which span the tract with 18 feet
clearance from center of single track.

An additional 10-pin cross arm has been placed on our main line
between Gatun sind Gamboa, made necessary on account of pro- ~
viding for automatic signal wires.

After the relocated line was put in commission it was found that
the insulation was very low. Investigation revealed the fact that
this was due to the porcelain insulators which were used. Requisition
was placed in the States for glass insulators of the Hemingray type,
which have been installed, and which have materially improved the
insulation of the line, as well as the transmission.

The pole line between Gamboa and Corozal, over Miraflores Tunnel,
has been completed, and a No. 19 gauge 30-pair cable installed for
part of the distance, but on account of dumping on new Pedro Miguel
town site it was necessary for this department to move the pole line
constructed, and on this account was delayed in installing cable from
Miraflores to Pedro Miguel, thereby EO the department in
furnishing suitable telephone communication from Pedro Miguel
south, as the business in that district has increased very rapidly. —

The department was placed to considerable expense at Balboa, due
to construction of dry dock and other work, making it necessary
to place all our wires to the dock underground in iron pipe to protect
them against heavy blasts and other trouble. There was also
installed a No. 19 gauge cable at Panama, running from its main line
to the Ancon exchange, to relieve the congested condition around the
Panama Railroad station. ‘The cable between the Ancon exchange,
through East Balboa, to Balboa had to be extended and a larger
number of conductors made available, due to increase in telephone
requirements at the latter place. :

pipe pole line with two 6-pin cross arms was constructed from
Corozal to Balboa for the same purpose as outlined in latter part of
above paragraph. | | ;

The’ line etween Gamboa and Alhajuela was relocated and placed
at elevation 100. : |

_A line about 24 miles long was constructed from the relocated
line to the Empire Suspension Bridge, and thence to the Empire
Exchange, the line consisting of five 10-pin cross arms. This was
made necessary on account of connecting the trunk- lines to the
above-mentioned exchange.

It will be necessary to construct an underground telephone sys-
tem from Colon to Balboa, consisting of four multiple duct conduits —
with a 50-pair “loaded” telephone cable, on account of the con-
‘struction of the high-tension line between Colon and Balboa, which
will have a tension of 44,000 volts. The estimated cost of this .
underground cable is $427,800.

. This department installed a 140-line common battery telephone
switchboard in the Hotel Washington, complete with mercury arc