194 
REPORT ON THE PANAMA CANAL 
The hill upon which the village of Culebra stands will be called Culebra 
HiU. 
The general direction of the Canal is nearly northwest and southeast, 
but nearer north and south than east and west. The various stretches 
vary considerably in this direction. For the sake of brevity in de- 
scription, the Canal will be regarded as running north and south, and 
directions at right angles to the Canal will be called east and west and 
those parallel with it north and south. 
The term 'slides' when unqualified will be applied alike to material 
which is now in motion and to that which once has been in motion but 
is now quiescent. Where it is necessary to discriminate between these 
two conditions of the slides, one will be called 'active' and the other 
'quiescent.' 
The Culebra district was visited by all members of the Committee 
five days, and a number of the Committee spent several additional days 
in this area. The attention of the Committee was primarily directed to 
the question of the control of the active East and West Culebra Slides, 
but the extensive Cucaracha SKde, now quiescent, was also examined 
with care. The Committee also examined the massive hills of the 
Culebra District and especially Gold, Culebra, Zion and Contractors 
Hills, all of which are adjacent to the great slides. 
The work of the Committee in the field was facilitated in every way 
by Major General George W. Goethals, Lieut. Col. Chester H. Harding, 
Lieut. Col. Jay J. Morrow and Rear Admiral H. H. Rousseau; General 
Goethals furnished records from his office, a brief history of the slides 
and their movements, and much other information which the Committee 
desired; in short, all possible help has been given to the Committee so 
so that its members could carry on their work most effectively in their 
own way. 
The Committee has profited greatly by the geological studies of Mr. 
Donald F. MacDonald and by conferences with him in the field and in 
the office. 
As the uninterrupted operation of the Panama Canal is a matter of 
great national importance, the Committee plans a further study of the 
available data and expects in due time to make a fuller report; but it 
seems desirable to present promptly to President Wilson, a preHminary 
report containing the views of the Committee (so far as they can now 
be formulated) , and such practical suggestions as the Committee is able 
to offer. 
