ruction. The lock-level type was
finally decided upon, although the majority of Mr. Dryden's conferees
and the International Board of Consulting Engineers at first strongly
favored the sea-level type. By his determined support of the one and his
well-reasoned opposition to the other, Mr. Dryden was able to secure the
enactment of legislation in accordance with his views and to bring about
the completion of this tremendous undertaking within our time, thus
leaving a permanent imprint upon the country's history._

THE AMERICAN TYPE OF ISTHMIAN CANAL

It was on June 14, 1906, when the Canal subject was up for final
consideration, that Mr. Dryden addressed the Senate. The official
records show that "S. 6191, to provide for the construction of a
sea-level canal connecting the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, and the method of construction," was before Congress, and
it was in opposition to this measure that Mr. Dryden patriotically
pledged his devotion to American enterprise and American ability by
declaring for the lock-level type of canal, built by American
engineers and under American supervision, concluding with the
following words, which deserve to be recalled on this memorable
occasion as a tribute to the native genius and enterprise of the
American people:

"I am entirely convinced that the judgment and experience of
American engineers in favor of a lock canal may be relied upon with
entire confidence and that such an enterprise will be brought to a
successful termination. I believe that in a national undertaking of
this kind, fraught with the gravest possible political and
commercial consequences, only the judgment of our own people should
govern, for the protection of our own interests, which are
primarily at stake. I also prefer to accept the view and
convictions of the members of the Isthmian Commission, and of its
chief engineer, a man of extraordinary ability and large
experience. It is a subject upon which opinions will differ and
upon which honest convictions may be widely at variance, but in a
question of such surpassing importance to the nation, I, for one,
shall side with those who take the American point of view, place
their reliance upon American experience, and show their faith in
American engineers."

The Panama Canal problem has reached a stage