The Panama Canal from a contractor’s standpoint
Subject(s): Canals, Interoceanic--Design and construction, Canals, Interoceanic--Economic aspects, Contractors, Hains, Peter C. (Peter Conover), 1840-1921, Isthmian Canal Commission (U.S.), Panama, Panama--Panama Canal, Walker, John Grimes, 1835-1907
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In this journal article, George W. Crichfield proposes a plan for the completion of the Panama Canal. He begins by describing the environment of Panama and the current plans suggested by Admiral John Grimes Walker and the Isthmian Canal Commission before dissenting from these opinions due to his studies of the canal in January and February. Crichfield believes the canal should be divided into sections that are bid on by different contractors, as he does not think the Panama Canal should be in the hands of a single corporation. Based on his calculations, he recommends fifty-eight separate contracts. Crichfield also recommends that the canal is a tide-level canal rather than a lock canal. He disagrees with Brigadier General Peter C. Hains that African Americans are the best laborers for the job and instead recommends using people from the area. Crichfield encourages the government to guard against red tape and suggests the construction of the canal should be as serious as the prosecution of war: “The sooner it is finished the better.” Crichfield believes it is better to spend more and finish sooner than to spend less money but more time.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1905-01
Creator(s)
Crichfield, George W. (George Washington), 1862-1911
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Page Count
15
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
The Panama Canal from a contractor’s standpoint. [January 1, 1905]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299778. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Crichfield, George W. (George Washington), 1862-1911. The Panama Canal from a contractor’s standpoint. [1 Jan. 1905]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 22, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299778.
APA:
Crichfield, George W. (George Washington), 1862-1911., [1905, January 1]. The Panama Canal from a contractor’s standpoint.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o299778.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 22, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
