REPORT OF BOARD OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS, PANAMA CANAL.15


 At 3 p. m. the full Board reassembled.
 The afternoon session was spent in discussing the location and construction of dams, but no definite action was taken on the subject.
 The Chairman stated that the Secretary of the Jsthmian Canal Commission was making preliminary arrangements for the trip to the Isthmus, and desired to know the personnel of the party. I
 It was the sense of the Board that the Secretary, two stenographers, the interpreter, and necessary messengers should accompany them to the Isthmus.
 On motion, the Board adjourned at 5.50 p. i., to meet to-morrow at 10 a. mn.
 JOHN C. OAKES,
 Captain, General Staff, Secretary.



 SIXTH MEETING.

 WASHINGTON, D. C., September 16, 190. The meeting was called to order at 10 a. m. by the Chairman.
 Present: The CHAIRMAN, and Messrs. NOBLE, BURR, ABBOT, STEARNS, RIPLEY, RANDOLPH, HUNTER, TINCAUZER, GU1,_RARD, QUELLENNEC, and WELCKER.
 The Chairman announced that the reading of the minutes of the last meeting would be dispensed with.
 The Chairman stated that he had received a letter from the Chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission inclosing a pamphlet prepared by Mr. Win. Ham. Hall, of California, entitled "A Statement of the Panama Canal Engineering Conflicts, and a Review of the Panama Canal Proj ects."
 On motion, the document was laid on the reference table.
 At this point Mr. Guerard read the following notes as giving his ideas on the proper method of procedure of the Board:
 [Translation.]
 The Board discussed at great length in its meeting of yesterday the proposition of one of its members tending toward the adoption of a resolution that "a sea-level canal is possible."
 This proposition was followed by many remarks.
 I also doubted the utility and advisability of such a serious declaration. It appeared to me that the object of our esteemed colleague was to indicate a line of direction for our studies. I stated this, and said that the programme of our work appeared to me clearly defined in the explanation made by the President during our visit at Sagamore Hill on September 11, and repeated in a letter, copies of which were handed to us yesterday.
 No action on this matter was taken.
 I beg to complete my remarks of yesterday by the following proposition:
 I propose that the Board of Consulting Engineers request from the Isthmian Canal Commission a plan for a sealevel canal to serve as a starting point and a basis for its work.
 This project should be presented in such a shape as to allow a clear comprehension of the essential points, ascertain distinctly the nature of the works to be executed, determine the quantities, and determine and verify the unit prices and estimates.
 It should include, besides the general plans, detail plans of the important works, such as the outlet to the seathe arrangement of which, as embodied in the old plans, does not escape criticism-the necessary locks, etc.
 2. An estimate of the amount of work to be accomplished.
 3. A detail estimate, with unit prices applied to each section.
 4. A brief explanatory statement.
 The Isthmian Canal Commission can all the more readily comply with the wishes of this Board as this project exists, Part III of the document handed to the Consulting Board. But the elements of this project are distributed in the numerous documents given us, and are not presented in a compact form to permit a clear understanding and study of all the details.
 With this project before them, the Consulting Board would be able to study, in succession, the different parts, and therefore form their opinion promptly as to the changes that should be made to complete a project that the Board may approve.


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