THE
AMERICAN TYPE
OF
ISTHMIAN CANAL
HON. JOHN FAIRFIELD DRYDEN
THE JOHN F. DRYDEN STATUEThe above is a picture of the bronze statue of the late United StatesSenator John F. Dryden, Founder of The Prudential and Pioneer ofIndustrial insurance in America, erected by the John F. Dryden MemorialAssociation, with this inscription: "A tribute of esteem and affectionfrom the field and office force." The statue is located at the HomeOffice of The Prudential, Newark, N.J., and is unique, being the gift ofa staff of over 16,000 employees. It cost $15,000. The sculptor was KarlBitter.
No. 8
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 thecompletion and successful operation of the PANAMA CANAL, fittinglycommemorated by the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Among themen who contributed in a measurable degree to the attainment of thisnational ideal was the late United States Senator, John F. Dryden,President of THE PRUDENTIAL. As a member of the Senate Committee onInteroceanic Canals, Mr. Dryden, after mature and extendedconsideration, gave the weight of his influence and vote in favor of thelock-level principle of canal construction. The lock-level type wasfinally decided upon, although the majority of Mr. Dryden's confereesand the International Board of Consulting Engineers at first stronglyfavored the sea-level type. By his determined support of the one and hiswell-reasoned opposition to the other, Mr. Dryden was able to secure theenactment of legislation in accordance with his views and to bring aboutthe completion of this tremendous undertaking within our time, thusleaving a permanent imprint upon the country's history.
THE AMERICAN TYPE OF
ISTHMIAN CANAL
It was on June 14, 1906, when the Canal subject was up for finalconsideration, that Mr. Dryden addressed the Senate. The officialrecords show that "S. 6191, to provide for the construction of asea-level canal connecting the waters of the Atlantic and Pacificoceans, and the method of construction," was before Congress, andit was in opposition to this measure that Mr. Dryden patrioticallypledged his devotion to American enterprise and American ability bydeclaring for the lock-level type of canal, built by Americanengineers and under American supervision, concluding with thefollowing words, which deserve to be recalled on this memorableoccasion as a tribute to the native genius and enterprise of theAmerican people:
"I am entirely convinced that the judgment and experience ofAmerican engineers in favor of a lock canal may be relied upon withentire confidence and that such an enterprise will be brought to asuccessful termination. I believe that in a national undertaking ofthis kind, fraught with the gravest possible political andcom