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N oil pipe line from sea to sea across the Isthmus of Panama i one of the completed achievements of the hour whose influence in the world of trade is already being felt, and whose secret history will not soon be forgotten. Fifty-one miles across hills and through swamps, from Pacific to Atlantic, the massive pipe stretches away like the trunk of some giant snake, now basking in the sun along the roadway, and again lost in the ooze of tropical glades and overgrownwith rank vegetation.

The paint is scarcely dry upon this work, and the construction of tanks and pumping stations is still under way; but it may be said that the Isthmian pipe line, which a few months ago existed only in the imagination of its projector and in the diplomatic correspondence which he set on foot, is now a working factor in the breaking of the continents. But

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Copyright, 1906, by The Technical World Company

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lation to this line is that it is the property of an independent oil company-the Union Oil Company of California-and that that company thus gains power and prestige which will enable it to compete with the supposed master of the oil market.

The first plans for an Isthmian pipe line originated in the mind of John Baker, Jr., the energetic chief of the Union Oil Company's extension department. With the unparalleled output of the California and Texas fields flooding their tanks and glutting the market beyond all demand, it became imperative for the Western company to seek new counters for its wares. The Hawaiian Islands were first tried and found available; and then, in 1903, Mr. Baker made a trip to Panama and inspected the field and the trade conditions there. On his return he reported in favor of an Isthmian line, and urged his company to begin work upon it at once; but the corporation was at that time well content with the local market, and it took two years to arouse the ambitions of the Union Oil Company toward the conquest and development of the new field.

It was at last decided-in July, 1905 -that the work should be undertaken, and Mr. Baker was sent to Panama to start the wheels of the diplomatic machinery. The Republic of Panama was

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to Colon; and by April Fool's Day the agents of the Standard were able to report that the Western company had all of its pipe delivered and distributed.

Work was begun at once at both ends and in the middle of the line, three gangs being put to work. White foremen were sent out from the States; and the laborers employed were for the most part Jamaica negroes, who had proven their ability to work under the oppressive climatic conditions of the Isthmus. Most Most of the line, as laid, parallels the railroad and the canal, so that the question of transportation for men and material was not a formidable one; but there were many places where short cuts were made, and here sappers were sent ahead to clear the almost impenetrable thickets, and road-makers threw temporary ways through marshes and over streams. A

has shown that the life of iron and steel there is very short, by reason of the heat and humidity and the nearness to salt water. Mr. Baker feared that exposure en route from Baltimore to Colon, would land all shipments in bad condition, and therefore had all pipe heavily painted before leaving the foundry. After distribution, every section was again gone over, and such spots as had been bared by tongs or by the accidents of travel were again painted. Then, when the pipe was in position, it was again heavily coated with white lead and linseed oil, the painters following close on the heels of the construction gang.

In the course of the work, it was found that the Jamaica negroes were quite satis factory in so far as their health and ability to work under all conditions were concerned, but that they seldom did more

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TYPICAL VIEW OF THE COUNTRY THROUGH WHICH THE PIPE LINE WILL PASS.
Looking northwest toward the Atlantic from top of Culebra divide.

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