The installation of the electrical appliances for operating various gate machines was completed during the year. The amount expended was $207.653.42, of which $132.326 were paid under the contract and the balance for installation.

Rising stem valves.—The placing of the valves, stems, roller t and crossheads remaining to be done at the close of the last year was completed and the 116 machines required for their oper were erected and the electrical installation completed. Of the chines placed during the year 5 were at Gatan and 28 at Miraž making a total of 55 at Gatun, 24 at Pedro Miguel, and 36 at M fores. The mechanical and electrical work in connection with installation of these machines was completed at Gatin on Febr 12. 1914, at Pedro Miguel on March 30, 1914, and at Miraflore March 30, 1914.

Guard calves-At the end of the fiscal year all guard valves machines were erected in place at all the locks except at Miraflo The six at Gaton were completed on April 25, 1914. six at Pedro Mis on June 29, 1914, and those at Miradores were 62 per cent comple at the close of the fiscal year. The tests made of the guard val showed that the machines would not operate satisfactorily as or mally designed, and a number of changes were made necessary. most important, ones consisted in providing an outboard bearing the pinion shvit, which overcame the tendency of the pinion to get of line with the main spur gear, and guide shoes for weights in counter weight pits to overcome the slight eccentric load due to weight of the roller train,

The amount expended on the rising stem and guard valves a then ma bones to the close of the fiscal year was $1,508,735.59, which SEEN,746 48 were paid under the contract and the balan la mdalla rot

abret noires. The mechanical and electrical wo connection with the mdallation of these valves and their m hone was completed during the year, four machines being installe datum aut ompleted on March 10, 191k, four at Pedro Migu coupler, 1 on March 4, 1914, and four at Miraflores completed o

The coa of the machines in place was $22.805.80 eward nuder the contract and the balance fo

Miguel on January 27, 1914; and on the 40 at Miraflores on Feb"ary 27, 1914.

Chain-fender machines.-After the tests had been completed on the two sample chain-fender machines, the results indicated that they wold carry out the work for which they were designed and arrangezents were made to order the balance of the equipment. Of the 16 to se erected at Gatun, the mechanical work on 14 was completed with he exception of the chains; of the 16 at Pedro Miguel, the mechanical work on 7 was completed with the exception of the chains; and at Miraflores, of the 16, the mechanical work on 1 was completed with the exception of the chains. Work was in progress on all the units, with the exception of the 4 lower ones at Miraflores, where no work had been done. The electrical work, so far as practicable, progressed Tth the mechanical work. The manufacture of chain for the fendrs has progressed rather slowly, but orders were placed for all the hains required, with one exception, before the close of the year. The total amount expended thus far was $830,726.89, of which 1140.30 was for payments under the contract for delivery of the material, and $169,586.59 for erection.

The cost of inspecting the lock-operating machinery to June 30, 14. was $167,926.06.

Spillway gates. The spillway gates were placed in position by se construction divisions in connection with building the spillway S. The mechanical equipment and electrical installation were pleted on the 14 machines at Gatun on December 18, 1913. At Miradores the mechanical work was completed on the 8 machines October 13, 1913, and the electrical work on June 5, 1914. The way gates at Gatun have all been operated satisfactorily under head, controlled from a switchboard in the hydroelectric staThe tests of the Miraflores gates indicated defects in the meal work, necessitating overhauling and correction. These ges were not completed at the close of the fiscal year. The tal amount expended was $337,529.11, of which $236,045.26 were erled under the contract, and the balance for inspection and tion.

Toring-track material.-All the towing-track material purchased er the original contract was delivered previous to June 30, 1913. ing the year tests with the locomotives brought out the fact that Tas necessary to provide additional rack sections at the top and m of all inclines at the locks, and 606 feet of additional rack ins were made at the Balboa shops. At Gatun Locks 1,182 linear of rack section were laid, 3,438 linear feet concreted in, and a of 4.082 linear feet completed, making a total completed to te of 22.185 linear feet. At the Pedro Miguel Locks 1,518 linear of track were laid, 3,901 linear feet concreted in, making a total

of 13,696 linear feet completed to date. At Miraflores Locks 4,007 linear feet were laid, 8,160 feet concreted in, making 9,104 linear feet completed during the year, or a total to date of 18,144 linear feet. Of the total amount to be completed, 54,365 linear feet, 99.3 per cent were completed at the close of the year. Conductor-slot material, consisting of steel and copper conductor rails, insulators, brackets, and cover plates, was laid, and during the year 12,485 feet were completed, or a complete total to date at Gatun Locks of 45,084 linear feet; at Pedro Miguel 21,760 feet during the year, or a total to date of 36,292 linear feet; and at Miraflores 22,232 feet during the year, or a total to date of 28,162 linear feet. For the conductors copper tee rails were used for all towing tracks, inclines, and crossovers, steel conductors being used on the return track. The installation of single and double crossovers and turnouts was completed during the year at all the locks. The total cost of all towing-track material installed was $1,182,044.06, of which $767,173.93 were expended under the original contract and $414,870.13 for inspection, installation, and chipping of the rack rails.

Towing locomotives.-As noted in the last annual report, a contract was entered into with the General Electric Co for furnishing 40 towing locomotives of their design and manufacture, the first locomotive to be delivered by January 15, 1914, and four locomotives each month thereafter. Twenty-one locomotives have been delivered and are in operation. The total cost under the contract is $527,015 and there have been expended $301,859.21 on the contract and $22,329.40 for erection and alterations to the machines after their receipt. Tests so far made by actual service have not been sufficient to warrant an announcement that they are entirely satisfactory. Illumination of the locks.—The exterior lighting of the locks was described in the previous annual report. The exterior lighting circuits at all the locks were completed except for five posts at Miraflores, where the erection of the posts has been delayed by the sand operations which were transferred to this point from Balboa to allow for the construction of the terminal docks. There were installed at Gatun 206 standards, 116 single arm and 90 double arm; at Pedro Miguel, 130 standards, 80 single arm and 50 double arm; at Miraflores, 163 standards, 96 single arm and 67 double arm. Suitable sockets, with lights, were installed for illuminating the operating tunnels and valve wells. The total amount expended to June 30, 1914, on the electrical lighting equipment of the locks was $126,234.52.

Remote control.-The General Electric Co. was awarded the contract for furnishing the lock-control switchboards for Gatun, Pedro Miguel, and Miraflores Locks. The original specifications of the Commission were departed from as to the general construction of the board and also with regard to the method of accomplishing the re

quired interlocking of the control switches. The detail design of the board was left entirely to the contractor, the work being subject to the approval of the Commission's inspector in the United States. The switchboards are located on the second floor of the control houses and the interlocking racks on the mezzanine floor. The boards are designed to represent the locks in miniature, all machines being represented by individual control switches, and wherever it is important for the operator to know the exact position of the machines being controlled indicators are provided which operate in synchronism with the machines in the lock wall tunnels. With the exception of the cylindrical valve, auxiliary culvert valve, and miter forcing machines the operator is provided with means for having definite information with regard to the exact position of the valve or machine being operated by means of synchronous indicators, electrically connected, with transmitting devices mechanically connected with the large machines in the lock tunnels. The operation of the cylindrical valve, auxiliary culvert valve, and miter forcing devices is indicated by use of red and green lamps on the control board. Arrangement is also made on the switchboard by which the water levels in the lock chambers are indicated to the operator. The control board was completed at Gatun on May 9, 1914; at Pedro Miguel on June 26, 1914; and at Miraflores on June 25, 1914. The switchboards of all the locks have been satisfactorily used for remote control of the lock operations. The total cost of all lock-control switchboards was $108,079.50, of which $73,693.33 were paid out under the contract for the material, the balance representing expenditures for installation and inspection.

Hydroelectric plant.-The erection of the hydroelectric station continued under the Atlantic division until September 8, 1913, when the work was transferred to the building division of the quartermaster's department. With the exception of the doors and some of the carpenter work, the building was completed at the close of the fiscal year at a total division cost of $328,457.08. The installation of the equipment was continued during the year and was turned over to the operating force on June 18, 1914, without tests, which were made subsequently, and after correction of some of the defects the plant took over the load from the Gatun steam plant on July 13, 1914. The amount expended on the installation of the machinery was $300,355.60.

In connection with the power-transmission system there were constructed underground duct lines from the hydroelectric power house at Gatun to the locks and to the transformer substation at the point, at a division cost of $78,688.08; and from the Miraflores transformer substation to the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks at a division cost of $108,005.82.

A- netes 11. tin previous annual reperi. it was decided to= for the trans.....assion in an overhead systen. a: 42.00 volts, ez mg fron. Balbos to Cristobal, and connecting the existing Miri theat-power station with the Gatur. varoelectri: station. S: the mat in operated separately or paralie, as necessary. s.station are provided. located at Cristobal. Gata. Mirafiores but. To excavation for the Gatul substation was bera November 20. II. and the steelwork, farisht and erectec 1 contract. was completed on February 19, 19. The mstaliaz Lat cæcirca, equipment of the building has been governed i progress mac 1. building construction and at the close of the wa. 27 per cent completed. The total amount thus far expence 1king $40.717.9 and or the installation of the maci Sol. Tin Cristobal substation was installed for the pur of furnishing power required by the coal-handing plant. the M Hope pumping plant, and the miscellaneous requirements 1 vitints of Cristobal. Excavation for this structure was ner Maro 4 1914 and the erection of the steelwerk under contract completed of. Miny C. 1914. The amount expended on the bui ConstructOL. was $111.856.01 and on the electrical instali Mirafiore substation is being mstalted for the pose of caring for the power requirements of Miraflores and Fe Migue. Locks and aise for the purpose of serving a- & ster ur r former station for Mirafiore stean: plant. The foundation wiE commenced of October 29, 1918. and the steelwork under ronc completed March 9. 194. The electrical equipment is per completed. Ti annou exlended thus far is Son 5 2, K và $109,509.04 were for building construction, and $50.02616 for Mical installation. The balion substation was located for the post of supplying power to Balboa shops, the air-compressor pl get-over pumping piant, roa--handing piant, and Ancol puma puan as well as other ioca. purposes. Work was begun on this s estor or apri. 27. 1914, and the steelwork erected under contr completed or June 27. 194. Four per cent of the electri was installed. The total amount expended thus fr $4,69% of which $45,565.12 were for building construction. £ $60 fe for electrical installation. In order to supply power power as of the Darien wireless station. being constructed by z autuote for the Navy Department, arrangements have be may be metal al substation of 400-kilowatt capacity, t the bralishich in aut stepping the voltage down to +40 vai Change # to ratio of the pumping plant from Mirafiores Crahinoor ww necessitiet the instaliation of a substation at this loc tion. in order bo supp the necessary power in connection with ti pumping pan. atagem were made for the installation of r

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