PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION
MEMORIAL PUBLICATIONS OF THE PRUDENTIAL
INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
THE AMERICAN TYPE
OF
ISTHMIAN CANAL
SPEECH BY
HON. JOHN FAIRFIELD DRYDEN
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JUNE 14, 1906
1915
PRUDENTIAL PRESS, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
_The ancient "Dream of Navigators" has at last been realized in the
completion and successful operation of the PANAMA CANAL, fittingly
commemorated by the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Among the
men who contributed in a measurable degree to the attainment of this
national ideal was the late United States Senator_, JOHN F. DRYDEN,
_President of THE PRUDENTIAL. As a member of the Senate Committee on
Interoceanic Canals, Mr. Dryden, after mature and extended
consideration, gave the weight of his influence and vote in favor of the
lock-level principle of canal construction. 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._