REPORT OF BOARD OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS, PANAMA CANAL.


 In addition to the plans above mentioned, a pamphlet has been prepared by Mr. Lindon W. Bates, which gives in outline a sketch of a plan proposed by him, which is interesting on account of its novelty, and is, therefore, laid before you. It does not give detail enough for a close analysis, nor for estimates of cost. To obtain this, extensive additional surveys, to occupy at least a year's time, would be necessary.
 A paper has been submitted to the President by Mr. P. Bunau-Varilla which explains a method by which a canal constructed at first with locks may be subsequently altered to a sea-level canal. This paper also is submitted for your consideration.
 These last two documents are described in a fourth pamphlet, marked "Part IV," which is now handed to you.
 It is to be noted that the law by which Congress ordered the construction of an Isthmian Canal contained the following proviso, viz:
 "The President shall then, through the Isthmian Canal Commission hereinafter authorized, cause to be excavated, constructed, and completed, utilizing to that end, as far as practicable, the work heretofore done by the New Panama Canal Company, of France, and its predecessor company, a ship canal from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Such canal shall be of sufficient capacity and depth as shall afford convenient passage for vessels of the largest tonnage and greatest draft now in use, and such as may be reasonably anticipated, and shall be supplied with all necessary locks and other appliances to meet the necessities of vessels passing through the same from ocean to ocean; and he shall also cause to be constructed such safe and commodious harbors at the termini of said canal and make such provisions for defense as may be necessary for the safety and protection of said canal and harbors."
 The Commission expects to visit the Isthmus of Panama, sailing from New York during the last week in September, the exact date to be fixed hereafter. You are cordially invited to accompany them.
 This method of presenting the subject to you, by offering several well-digested plans, has been adopted because it seemed to be the method by which all essential information could be conveyed in the most condensed possible form. It is needless to say that the Commission desires your opinion not only upon these plans, but upon any variation of them, or upon any entirely different plan which may suggest itself to you. It requests your views as to what plan it is most expedient, all things considered, for the United States to follow in the completion of the Panama Canal.
 Yours, very respectfully,
 T. P. SHONTS, Chairman.

 The order of the President required that there be submitted to the Board for its consideration and discussion "the various plans proposed to and by the Isthmian Canal Commission." The Commission transmitted to the Board:
 1. A plan prepared by the old commission on isthmian routes, created in pursuance of the act of Congress approved March 3, 1899.
 2. A plan proposed to the New Panama Canal Company November 16, 1898, by, the Comit6 Technique assembled by that company.
 3. Three projects prepared by Mr. Lindon W. Bates, of New York.
 4. The more important results of recent surveys, containing the principal information available for a decision respecting a canal at tide level.
 There was also submitted a paper prepared by Mr. P. Bunau-Varilla, explaining a method of construction of a lock canal to be subsequently transformed to one at sea level.
 At a subsequent meeting there was received from the Commission a paper entitled "The Panama Canal: Some serious objections to the sea-level plan," prepared by Maj. Cassius E. Gillette, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, and another entitled "The Gatun Dam," prepared by Mr. C. D. Ward, C. E.
 On the other hand, the Board received no plans originating with the Commission. Therefore, and because the requirements of the act of Congress respecting the dimensions and capacity of the canal, together with the new information collected by surveys and examinations conducted during the last two years prevented the adoption of plans of former commissions, the Board was obliged to prepare plans and estimates based on such information and on other data collected at its request, and to act as a creative body as well as a consulting board.
 In order to conduct its bUs'iness systematically the Board determined to hold regular stated meetings at such titles as the work required, and thirty of such meetings have been held. The proceedings of these meetings were recorded and the minutes will be found as Appendix A to this report. Although these meetings were executive in character, the members of the Isthmian Canal Commission were invited to be present at any or all of them, an invitation which was frequently accepted. To facilitate the work of the Board there were appointed:
 An executive committee, consisting of the Chairman, General Abbot, and Mr. Hunter.


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