Page:The National Geographic Magazine Vol 16 1905.djvu/491
vere, it should be explained that Roosevelt is in reality a camp; that practically all of its inhabitants are gathered to help along the gigantic Salt River Reclamation project, which will cost over $3,000,000. The engineering problems connected with the work are great. Before the dam could be commenced 80 miles of road had to be constructed. Most of the material has to be brought from Globe, the railway station, which is 40 miles away. The power canal, which is to be 19 miles long, is well under way. Its construction has involved the excavation of about 600,000 cubic yards of material and the driving of nearly 9,000 feet of tunnel. The canal will furnish power to generate electricity to operate all the works.
The government will make on the spot all the cement required, instead of purchasing it. It is expected that about 200,000 barrels of cement will be required in the construction of the Roosevelt dam, the power canal, and the various Tonto improvements. The cement used in the preliminary work cost $5.35 a barrel, delivered at the point where it was used. Bids were later received for furnishing cement at $4.81 a barrel. It will cost the government $1.60 a barrel to make the cement on the ground. If the cost of the plant, $120,000, be added to the cost of the 200,000 barrels of cement required, the total cost of the government cement will still be only $2.20 a barrel. This means a saving of $2.61 a barrel, or a saving of $522,000 on the entire work. After the dam and canals have been completed the cement plant will still be capable of further use, and considerable salvage may doubtless be realized. The cement mill is now in operation. The fuel used in burning cement in the kilns is crude petroleum from the California oil fields.
Map of Panama Canal.—In the October number The National Geographic Magazine will publish as a supplement a map of the Panama Canal region, 24 by 33 inches and in five colors. The map was prepared by the Isthmian Canal Commission and is republished through the courtesy of Hon.TheodoreP.Shonts, chairman of the commission.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
United States Consul General Joseph W. J. Lee, Panama City, Panama, reports that the natural resources of the Republic of Panama are but little known to the world at large, the interest in the monumental project of a transisthmian canal overshadowing them. The work of the Panama government in opening the country and facilitating the exploitation of its resources by extended improvements in transportation and communication has not been advertised as fully as warranted by present accomplishment and expected results. Harbors, highways, and railways and a new city are among the projects to which President Amador has given his approval and upon which work is in progress. At present the central provinces of Los Santos, Cocle, and Veraguas are the fields for the greater part of these improvements, for which $1,050,000 (silver) have been appropriated.
The harbors of Pescaderias and Puerto Posada are to be improved, so that it will be possible for passengers and cargo to be received and landed at wharves. With the exception of Panama City, the port of Agua Dulce is at this time the only harbor on the Pacific where it is possible for vessels to discharge and load from piers.
The project is to construct first good roads and later railways, stretching across the plains and foothills, through the mountain passes, to the Atlantic, and thus develop rich natural resources which today lie dormant.
Gold mines long ago abandoned have