[1] Here begins the "Panama Canal point," referred to in Chapter V. It continues until the "End of Panama Canal Point" footnote below.
First read the monologue including this point, then read it skipping the point—thus you will see, first, what a complete "point" is; second, what "blending" means; and third, how a monologist may shorten or lengthen his routine by leaving out or including a point. [end footnote]
And if you go to Washington, the Capsule of the United States, and ask them, THEY don't even know THEMSELVES.
Then they say, what keeps the country broke is the Pay-no-more
Canal.
It cost the Government nine thousand dollars an hour to dig the canal. THINK OF THAT!
Nine thousand dollars an hour for digging, and the worst of it is, they ain't digging.
Up to date, it has cost a hundred and seventy million dollars to dig a hole—they've been at it for over nine years—and the only hole they've dug is in the United States Treasury.
Every six months, the Chief Engineer, he comes up with a report;
He says: "Mr. Congress, the canal is getting better every day, a million dollars MORE please."
He gets the money, goes out, buys a couple of shovels, then sends back a telegram: HOORAY—The digging is very good, the two oceans will soon be one.