1919-05-19 — Page 3

CHANNEL TUNNEL. SOME ENGINEERING PROBLEMS.

{BY THE DAILY TALKORAPH'S " moist

3D CORRESPONDENT. ]

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Recofstruction is at last fully upon ua. The industrial progress of the coun- try is necessarily bound up with schemer of co-operation, national and interna. tioanl On every hand projects of enormous magnitude and far-reaching The importance are under discussion, sanguine anticipations of the resourceful aad daring engineering minds are about to be put to the test. Transformations

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MUNDAY, MAY ÷ 19Tяp. 1919.

The Simplon tihnet marked another important stage in tunnelling. New dif Bculties were encountered. The work was begun in 1890, and. Afteen years wère occupied in completing the whole length of twelve and one-third miles. Boring through the mountain, the engineers en countered higher temperatures than had been anticipated. Ventilation problems offered difficulties, and special measures were necessary to dent with the enormous pressures caused by the weight of mate. rials above..

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FINANCE OF WAR.

OUR INDUSTRIAL FUTURE

MINERS' HOME LIFE.

DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS.

A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

Not since the Coal Commission, opened Addressing the members of the Institute has there been such an hour of gloom of Batikers upon the economic outlook, as that which was provided when the on March 95th, in the theatre of the inquiry was resumed on March 16th (saya School of Oriental Studies, Finsbury The Daily Telegraph) Statistics were circus, Mr. Edgar Crammond said that produced revealing the hazardous nature the most important wars since 1815 had of the miners' occupation; bat impressive been invariably followed by periods of as were the figures relating to the death- increased production and intense econo-roll of the mine. they appealed with less mic expansion. The total cost of the wat, force than the revelations of the home life including indirect lomes, might be put in certain colliery areas The informa down at £32,000,000,000. The war has tion was contained in the evidence of

io industrial methods are the order of quarters iniles in length, may be cited produced, Mr. Crammond pointed out, Mr. John Robertson, the chairman of

the day, and economy by organisation is the immediate watchword of the nation guardians of industry. Of some of the larger schemes under discussion may be mentioned those of nationalisation of

mines, railways, waterways, and electric power generation. These are at present engaging the attention of the authorities at Westminster, who were.re- turned under the definite promise to effect big things. Some of these efforts are to be made without delay. Some recognised wat measures came into opera tion by about the time the armistice was

signed.

when, under the first. concession from the French Government, a shaft wan sunk at Sangatte and a gallery driven

Still more recently, however, the case of the Mont d'Or tunnel, three and thece

as presenting special dificulties In the piercing of this connection between Frasne and Vallorbe, water caused con- siderable anxiety. At one time the inflow Amounted to no less than 93,000,000 gallons per day, and did considerable damage to the galleries. This large in low simultaneously caused a lowering in the Biel Rouge, which necessitated a stoppage of the factories running on

the Scottish Union of Mine Workers.

the greatest economie revolutions of which there was any record. The wages bill of the United Kingdom for 1916 was about Sackey, the chairman, read the statement Rising from his sent, Mr. Justice

2900,000,000 more than in 1913an in.

of the witness slowly and deliberately, crease of over 100 per cent.. During the war, the note circulation of the bellige The silence was intense as he gave ex- rents, excluding Rassia, advanced from pression to a written story of sordid He might have been human existence. £1,104,000,000 to £6.372,000,000-an. ia- crease of 4 per cent. During the same uttering a grave indictment from the

bench. Not's word was lost by the Com period their aggregate · gold

reservca.

however, most satisfactorily overcome. water power. These difficulties were, only increased by £317,000,000, or is permission or the public, but there appeared

and similar obstacles, should they crop

This

the

cúnt

"forward beneath the sea to a distance rank of one of the highest authorities in in 1919. Those factors, taken in ronjune.

this phase of engineering.

CHANNEL TUNNEL PROBLEMS.

follows:

An even greater increase had to be a feeling of relief when at the end up in the Channel Tunnel operations, taken place in the amount of the national of half-an-hour, he finished the read might with confidence be left to the debts of the belligerents, which had ad.ing of the document. It concluded with Among the big things now under con.gineers upon whom would devolve the vanced -from £3.334,000,000, in 1914. to

a quotation from Dr. Russell, former medical officer of the Local Government sideration is the Channel Tunnel, adso responsibility of the great work.

£31,000,000,000," at the end of 1918, and, onted as a practical proposition so long confidence is largely based on the ns- Ag an 1863, and. indeed, begun by ciation of the engineer to the Channel the time demobilisation was complet Board, the first part of which was as Tunnel Company Ltd. Sir Franks Foxed. their aggregate debts' would probably exceed £40,000,000,000. The burden of

*** Let us ask ourselves what life in one and the Simplon tunnels, These and other achievements place him in had, therefore increased from £900.000,000 to those 126,000 men, women, and child per annum in 1914 to over £2,000,000,000 ren, whose house in one single room, and consider whether, since the world began, of one and a half miles. Later, in 1861,

tion with the rise in wages and the price before them as the creation of the ele man or angel ever had such a task sei a tunnel 7ft.. in diameter was bored at

of commodities had a tremendous signi depth of 160lt, to a distance of 2,015

The problems of the Channel Tunnel Seance, and. in his judgment, implied meats of a bome, or the conduct of a yard's from Shakespeare Cliff, near run on somewhat different and Dover. Since the closing down of these more simple lines. The choice rape that they were in the presence of one of family life, within four bare walls. You of the the greatest and far-reaching economie mistresses of houses, with bed-rooms and preliminary operations their originators, route must, in the first place be determined movements in the history of the world

pictures, dining-room and drawing. of the strata. As is well Through all the economic records of the rooms kitchans and washing.houses,

put one room to the uses of all?",

The silence which fell upon the Com scaded was full of meaning.

mission when Mr. Justice Sanker con- The emo- tions of the Commissioners and the public had been stirred by a story of Mr... Bailour, in death, discase, and overcrowding. Then

the

and those who followed after, have never by the natureliffs of Dover find their past, it was possible to trace an advance Pantries and sculeries, bow could you project. Slowly, but surely, hostility on the other side of the Chan- in the standard of living for the masses

ceased to advocate the completion of the

to the scheme has been worn down.

with the statistics of the proposition. At cost of about £20,000,000, or say, three days' cost of the war to Great Britain-though the outlay would be shared by the two countries-seven or eight years work would result in open- ing nink of communication between the

would be

ing to some estimates, 1,500,000 passeng ers and untold quantities of merchandise day.

to

of nearly £1,600,000, in addition Fostering that good feeling between the mass of the populations, which makes for pence, unity, and progress.

NO INSUPERABLE DIFFICULTIES.

And yet it is perhape fortunate that an early attempt on so vast an undertaking ዘ። not made.. Years ago difficulties would undoubtedly have been met which might have involved considerable delas and disappointment. Today the project is not beset with any insuperable dif. ficulties. The achievements of tunnelling engineers constitute some of the greatest

be

excavated

concurrently with an increase in the amount of money in circulation and decline in the purchasing of money.

INCREASED POWER OF PRODUCTION.

war, it might be confidently asserted that our power of production had in creased by about 30 per cent, so that our post-war position should be roughly as follows:

£3,600,000.00

There were numerous houses, be added. with one apartment for busband, wife, Think of the con and seven children.

VICTORIA

THEATRE

Commencing TUESDAY,

MAY 20th,

THE FIRST MILLION DOLLAR ·

PICTURE

A DOG'S LIFE

nel. A complete survey of the interven Great Britain's splendid isolation has ng stratu constitute the format essential step p in any scheme of submarine now been surrendered by aeronautical tunnelling. This was undertaken by Sir developments. Who can estimate the

John Bawkshaw in 1966, and during the enormous advantages which would have period which has elapsed accrued and the influence on the early 7,000 soundings and borings have been country's power of production, and, from

20 fewer than

The war had greatly increased the course of the war had the rapid trans- made in the Channel. The very satisfac-

quiet, sympathetic port of men and material from this coun- tory results of the early and accurate

a close examination of the subject, he was tone, remarked to the witness, After try to France been possible through a survey revealed the fact that chalk con- convinced that our power of production the reading of the report, I am sure we submarine tunnel with a continuous stituted

the bed of the Channel. Below had increased by at least 50 per cut, shall not want to ask you many ques stream of rapid trains? During the the white chalk, however, is a stratum of ever the production of 1913. In the fight tions. If the conditions are re you say," war interest in the scheme as an im. grey chalk, 200 feet in thickness, which of these conclusions, he was unable to see they must be pat right." - Mr. Bobertson mediate after the war andertaking in turn rests upon gault Both of these any real grounds for the depression and contrasted districts with those in the

materials are has steadily increased, and to-day the

highly impervious to water. anxiety manifested in certain quarters whole of the United Kingdom He de tunnel is being widely, discussed. The The grey probably results from the 1s Lo our economic future. In 19

roted special attention to Lanarkshire, mad in the street is becoming conversant

percolation of liquid, clay, rendering it the estimated the national wealth, af and stated that at one place 29.5 of the watertight. The the grey chalk is exhibited in the cuttings £18,400,000,000 and the national income population lived in houses of one room; to which reference has been made, and the national wealth

at 20,440,000,000.

At the present time that in the case of 2,765 parsons there which, without any lining, have shown Kingdom might be safely computed at where 160 were concerned there were more of the United were more than five to the room, and that very little trace of percolating water over £24,000,000,000 and the national income than eight to the room. long periods. Boring through this chalk and blasting through rocks are different at 3,600.00.000. In other words, if they operations, and in the Channel Tunnel accepted and established the new valua two countries by means of which, sccord it is cqual to twenty-two yards per debt would be only equivalent to a sum ditions in these single rooms," be con

that the rate of cutting tion of money, their post-war national would contribute to an annual income 80s, bontributing the most modern; wealth, and their postwar Budget would front of the fire in the same room where to this rapid pro representing 90 per cent of the national tinued, with pit clothes drying in aethods of bandling

not amount to more than 2 per cent of the family sleep., Do we wonder when the wagons, the transit of which would would, of course, fall, but it was of vital depressing were the statistics relating to material on highspeed endless belts to the national incorce. Commodity prices the womenfolks losa heart?" Even more be greatly expedited by the proposed con importance that the fall should be grad tuberculosis in Lanarkshire, groups of necting passages between the two eighteen-an, and that it should be balanced by figures being given showing how sleep. feet tannels which are the chief feature of the work. Electrical power o

would pro-

are an increased production, so that the accommodation was shared. In reply to a member of the Commission, the witness vide for all the energy required both national income might be maintained at during constraction and use and electric level of at least 30 per cent. higher thai said he wished to be charitable in regard traction lemon considerably simplifies the prob- it was before the yar. As a result of the to Lanarkshire. After costing his mind

which would have beep

over the other countries he had been in. Lanarkshire as decent, but he would not he would describe some of the houses in one of great difficulty in the days steam locomotives, and which factor has

all the ideal added to the difficulties of previous tunnel feet below the bed of the Channel would marks of progress in engineering in recent years, and provide ground for the infiltration. Provision for drainage, adequately safeguarded from water supremest confidence that no circum- stances can legitimately be anticipated of eleven feet diameter, sloping down; however would be made in a lower tunnel which cannot be immediately and success. wards from the middle of the Channel Fully met. Engineers will watch with to shafts on either coast, from which considerable interest the progress of the water could be pumped. It is proposed work, and it appears that the plans of that work shall first concentrate upon the tunnel-or" "túrnels-have been so drainage tunnel. The experience thus carefully worked out, and so far com gained would contribute to the more pleted; that, once the necessary autho rapid and successful bering of the two rity is granted, the undertaking can be main tunnels, and from chambers opening embarked upon without delay. The work out from the centre of the drainage would provide another landmark in tunnel the boring of the main tunnels engineering enterprise which, in this could be undertaken, the work thus pro- country, has now for some years been ceeding from four points. confined to comparatively small' under- takings, and would stimulate interest in the whole Beld of engineering expansion, The victories of tunnel engineering of recent years must considerably relieve any undue anxiety which might ordi narily attend the labours of the designs and contractors. Similar works in this country and on the Continent call for passing notice in this connection.

taken Thus, in this country the Severn Tannel, four and a half miles in length, and occupying twelve years in construe tion, waarried through in spite of altogether unexpected difficulties. In rushes of water most frequently occurred, and on one occasion involved a twelve an enormous increase in traffic is widely Through the tunnel, when completed, months' delay in pumping operations. || anticipated. Discussion turns upon 'the At one time no fewer than 24.000006 frequency with which trains can be sont gallons of water were pumped out pad scheme into operation

through

The long delay in putting day. Even after the first train had passed through the tunnel, in July, 1887, have guaranteed that the water inrushes necessitated the instal. provided would be cotamensurate with the liebted whip subway of twenty (10.)-Wanton destruction of religious,

accommodation lation of special pumping machinery. developing demands. If

Country and the avanti,

present at the quas Facilities for freef euraalation of experience remarkable pected in the of Continental visi carry added advantages and result in tion and boats and increase may be ex- intercourse between the two peoples would and passenger vessels without examing- progress has since been made. Again, on ters to this cour

country. There are, tong the Continent, the three great Alpine other means of travel that electric rail widened knowledge, sympathy, and desire tunnels of Mont Cenis, the Bt. Gothard, ways. The rapid expansion in automo- for peace. As a separate project, and Simpson, are striking an

this

new

£2.700,000,0x0

CRIMES OF THE ENEMY.

A TERRIBLE CATALOGUE.

The catalogue of crimes compiled by the War Guilt Commission according to one of the sub-committees, comprises a list which will for centuries to come blacken of no lower than thirty varieties of crime the names of Germany and her associates. The list is made up as follows

(1)-The massacre of civiliana. (2)-Putting hostages to death. Torture of civilians. Starvation of civilians,

Cost of living, say 50 per National income, say

cent increase on 1914 figures. Available for depreciation, and repairs, renewals and

investments » abroad and at home... 900,000,000 It would be a great advantage to our anafacturers in planning their post war scheme of production to know that. there would be a huge market for their. output. and he suggested that the next(a) ten years should be regarded as a transi tion period during which we should endeavour, to invest abroad at least Many doubtless will wonder-as accuracy with which these tunnels can be soned and deliberate conviction that.

the 300.000,000 each year. It was his rea driven in order to meet. In this conneca result of the war, the economic develop tion, however, it must be remembered that progress in surveying has been of a rapid ment of the world had been impelled for been brought to a high state of precision were on the eve of a period of intense Burveying instruments have ward by at least two generations, and we Readings on such instruments to the never known. He was further convinced be activity in trade such as the world had repeatedly in order to attain not cause the engineer much anxiety. mic machinery of the new social condi- most accurate result. The matter does that the process of readjusting the econo Evidence upon this point is forthcoming tions would not be followed by any ill from the Simplon Tunnel of twelve consequence if we recognised the position. miles, in which case the two borings on. meeting wero but a little over sin out.

and took a broad and enlightened view.,

เพิ่

character.

MOTOR TRAFFIC:

!

(5. (B.)-Abduction of girls and women for

18. Internment of civilians under of enforced prostitution. purposes of

brutal conditions.

(7)Deportation of civilians.

(9.)-Putting civilians to forced labour the enemy. in connection with military operations of

military occupatory

(10.)Usarpation of sovereignty during

among inhabitants of occupied territory.

(11.)Compulsory enlistment of soldiers

(19)onfiscation of property.

13.

14.) Exaction of illegitimate or ex orbitant contributions and requisitions.

(15)Debasement of carrency and issue of spurious currency.

(10.)-Imposition of collective penal-

future, it is not surprising to find that tics. the proposal for the construcion of a sepa (17.)-Wanton devastation and destruc-

rate tunnel for motor traffic is being put tion of property. forward. The time occupied in the (16)-Bombardment of undefended Journey

sach an electrically places,

betweep

educational, and bistorical and monuments,

miles would-ordinarily be lost in utraction of merchant ships

These, however, were the early days of sipated to Larger in it undoubted single delay in loading "up care, n

wabmarine tunnelling, and with the a

"dowa far

of engineering success. In the first case, cipation of

however, progress was much more rapid

been

the

of

Chips.

ricotruction of fishing (22) Athardment

of hospitals.

on and destruction of hos.

Ling-g

of the total length of 7.9 iniles, only one should not bay of the cheaper cart 4ge on the score of high initis alpital shim

be overlooked, in considering cd be most advantageously)...

As an. adjunct to the present and a half feet were attained each day nay, scheme of transport Tearing on the

the cost and. execution of the work (24) Breach of other rules relating to for the first few years. Bubsequently. Continent the British has in the Auenced. It is gratifying to note that (25) Use of deleterious and asphyxiat-

ins Rod. Oroen greatly restricted by the such a suggestion has not been overinoka "at the rate of thit. per day ho total 4 dilleulting of transporting-caps, Fracticed by the designing engineers, and though (20) Use nes

ally a day is lost in the Channel eroes- time occupied in the work was thirteen, years, and the cost £3,000,000. The 808 Though some saving of time stands Gothard Tannel was started upon in Tunnel, still, in anticipation of the

to be affected by transit through 1872, the nine and a quarter miles taking eight years for its completion.

(Continued at foot of nest column.)

the

the

explosive, and expanding. motor tunnel does not constitute, a part bullets, Traders spe the day of opportunity for, & serious dis-

present scheme there is a growing (27) Directions to give no quarter. body of opinion that the present provides (28) il-treatment of prisoners of War

Misnao of flags of truce. ouasion of the proposal.

30) Poisoning of wells.

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THREE REELS OF CHARLIE

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Booking at ANDERSON'S.

THE

1771

WAR IS OVER

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THE 'NEW FRENOS KEME HE