Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-10
THE CANAL COMMISSION.

Ever since the passage of the Pan
ANA canal bill during the first session
OF the tifty-seventh congress, Presi-
dent Roosevelt has been bcsieaed by
q small army of men seeking appoint
ment to a place on the commission.
Several United States senators, whose
terms will expire on March 4 have
been among the applicants and have
brought all possible pressure to bear
upon the President to insure their Sc.
lection. Added to this number have
been many prominent politicians, who
have urged their claims for appoint
ment
The strife has been so acute that it
has compelled President Roosevelt to
announce that only men Of push and
energy, men who were fitted for the
work could hope to secure place on
the commission. 1t is now assured
that the selection of the canal commits
sion will not depend upon the poiiti-
cal tendencies of the aspirants but
upon their ability to complete the con
structior of the trans-isthmian water
way in the shortest possible time. In
commenting upon the selection of the
members of the commission promi-
nent senator has aptly declared Presi-
dent Roosevelt's position. He says:
There will be no repetition of the
French scandals over the construc-
ton of the canal by the United States
if President Roosevelt's plans are car
ried out. The President, as | under
stand it, has practically eliminated all
the list of candidates in the senate.
with possibly one exception. AS a
matter of fact do not expect him to
appoint any man who has been men
toned in connection with places on
the commission, unless he may select
Senator Harris, OF Kansas, on account
OF his expert knowledge as an engi-
neer, in addition to his other aualifi-
cations. The President will not toler-
ate set of canal commissioners who
would want to spend their time in fine
ly furnished offices in Washington and
conduct the business of the commits
sion at long range. AS | understand
it, he expects the members OF the
commission to personally oversee and
superintend the active operations on
the isthmus, spending at least ten
months of the year there, actually
keeping track of what is going on,
just as contractor on big job would
be expected to personally look after
the work If this plan is carried out
the enthusiasm of some of the appli-
cants will be considerably dampened."
This beirg the position of Presi-
dent Roosevelt concerning the APP
pointment of the canal commission it
should receive the hearty endorse
ment of every American citizen. This
work will be Of immense Importance.
Millions of dollars will be at the dis
posal of the members of his board.
The speed with which the work is
pushed will largely depend upon it's
thorough supervision of the work by
those in charge. Upon the knowledge
OF the commission of proper methods
of construction for such an immense
work will depend the stability Of this
great engineering problem. President
Roosevelt is right, the only require
ment for the men who shall be placed
in charge of this great work should
be that Of suitable qualification. Pref
erence to persons of the same politi-
ca. beliefs should be matter of sec
ond Importance to securing men who
are capable to handle such large prop
ositions and properly direct the ex-
penditure OF tie vast amount of funds
that will be necessary for the con
struction of this great waterway.