The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-10
RULES TO GOVERN
CANAL BUILDING
Presidents Letter to the
Secretary Of War.
TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY
Supervision of Details to Rest in Cab
met 0ficer-General Davis Will
Act as Governor.
TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY

The details of the agreement reach
ed at yesterdays Cabinet conference.
when the President consulted with Sec
retaries Hay. Taft, and Attorney Gen
eral Knox as to the administration Of
Panama Canal affairs, are embodied
IN a letter from the President to the
Secretary OF War, which was given out
at the White House last night As
published in yesterdays Times, the gist
or the arrangements is to place the ad-
ministration, through the commission.
under the direction of the Secretary OF
War. as the personal representative Of
the President, IN whom all the rights
and powers are vested by law.
After reciting in detail the provisions
or the laws of 1902 and 1904. investing
the President with certain functions,
the letter proceeds:
1t becomes my duty. under the
statutes. to secure the active prosecu-
ton of the work of construction of the
canal and its auxiliary works. through
the lsthmian Canal Commission, and in
connection with such work and in aid
thereof, TO organize and conduct a tenn
porary government of the zone. so as
TO maintain and protect the inhabitants
thereof in the free enjoyment of their
liberty. property, and religion.
Transfers Authority.
''Inasmuch as it is impracticable for
the President, with his other public
duties. to give TO the work Of super
Vslng the commissions construction of
the canal and government of the zone
the personal attention which seems
proper and necessary. and inasmuch as
the War Department is the department
which mas always supervised the con-
sII uctlon OF the great civil works for
improving the rivers and harbors OF
The country and the extended military
works OF public defense and as the
SAID department has from time TO time
Deen charged with the supervision of
the government of all the island Dos
eesSlons of the United States and con-
tlsues 10 supervise the government OF
the Philippine Islands, l direct that all
the work of the commission done by
virtue OF powers vested in me by the
act or Congress approved June IS. 1872
Ii the digging. construction. and COM
pietion Of the canal, and all the gov
einmental power in and over said canal
zone and its appurtenant territory,
gress approved April % 1904. and those
instructions. shall be vested IN said
Isthmian Canal Commission. shall be
carried on or exercised under your
OF War.
VI
Subject 10 the limitations of law and
the conditions herein contained, the
lsthmian Canal Commission are au
thorized and directed:
4 To make all needfuI rules and
regulations for the government OF the |
zone and for the correct administrad N |
OF the military. civil, and judicial al
falrS Of its possessions. until the close
CT the tlfty-eighth session OF Congress. |
- To establish civil service for the |
government OF the strip and construc- |
ton Of the canal. appointments to |
Which shall be secured as nearly as |
practicable by merit system.
3 To make or cause TO be made al |
nesdful surg eys bOrings. designs plans
and specifications of the engineering, |
hS dlaulic and sanitary works required. |
ana TO supervise the execution OF the |
same.
a To make and cause to be executed |
after due advertisement all necessary /
contracts for any and all kinds Of engi- /
neering and construction works
%. To acquire by purchase or through /
proper and uniform appropriation pro- /
ceedlngs. 10 be prescribed by the COM |
property whose ownership by the United /
States is essential to the excavation and i
completion OF the canal.
e. To make all needful rules and regu-
lations respecting an economical and i
correct disbursement and an accounting /
for all funds that may be appropriated |
by Congress for the construction of the /
canal. its auxiliary works. and the gov
eminent Of the canal zone; and also 70 |
establish proper and comprehensive |
system Of bookkeeping. showing the
state Of the work, the expenditures by |
classes and the amounts still available.
-. To make requisition on the Secre-
tary OF War for funds needed from time
10 time In the proper prosecution OF
the work, and TO designate the disburs-
ing officers authorized to receipt for the
sans.
Rule in Canal Zone.
''The inhabitants Of the isthmian canal
zone are entitled to security in their
persons, property, and religion, and in
all their private rights and relations.
They should be so Informed by public
announcement. The people should be
disturbed as little as possible in their
customs and avocations that are in
harmony with principles Of well ordered
and decent living.
'All laws, rules, and regulations OF 4
governmental character enacted by the
commission hereunder shall be submitted
TO you for your approval, and should
such law, rule or regulation, then from
that time the law. rule or regulation
shall thereafter have no force or effect.
NAL Gen George w Davis, l. 5. A
retired, member of the canal commits
sion, Is hereby appointed governor OF
the tsthmian canal zone.
prepare for Congress and place in your /
hands on or before December OF each /
year a fun and complete report Of all /
their acts and Of the operations con
Quoted by them IN respect to the canal /
construction and the government of the 1
canal zone. These reports will contain
a detailed account OF all moneys re-
ceived and disbursef in the performance
OF their duties and OF the progress made
IN the construction of the canal.
Control by Government.
by virtue Of the ownership by the
United States OF about sixty-nine seven
tieths OF the shares Of the capital stock
OF the Panama Railroad the general
policy Of the managers OF said road viii
be controlled BY the United States. AS
soon as practicable desire that all the
members OF the Isthmian Canal Com
mission be elected 20 the board OF d.
rectors OF the road. and that the policy
of the road be completely harmOnized
Of /