The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-23
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE
CANAL COMMISSIONERS
Letter of Commentator and
Warning to Men Who Will Dl-
rect Work in Panama.
LUNCH AT WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON, March, 22.-Preliminary
work was begun to-day by the 1sthmian
Canal Commission. The first full meeting
OF the commission was held in the offices
of Rear Admiral Walker. the chairman.
Little Of Importance was accomplished, the
session resolving itself into an informal
discussion Of various features of the pre-
liminary work and OF preparations for the
first visit of the commission 70 Panama
President Roosevelt entertained the men,
bers Of the commission and Secretary. Taft
at luncheon to-day. During the luncheon
there was general discussion of various
phases OF the canal question.
General instructions TO the members of
the commission were contained in a letter
from President Roosevelt TO the commission
under date of March s. The letter. which
was read at the meeting to-day follows:
Sirs-I have appointed you as the COM
mission which Is TO undertake the most inn
portant and also the most formidable en-
gfneer feat that has hitherto been at
tempted. You are TO do work, the doing
OF which. IL done well, will reflect high
honor upon this Nation and when done.
Will be OF incalculable benefit, not only to
this Nation, but TO civilized mankind.
AS you yourselves must individually
know, / have chosen you with reference
10 nothing save my belief after full and
patient inquiry, that you are among all
the available men of whom i have knowl-
edge those best fitted to bring this great
task to a successful conclusion. You have
been chosen because of your personal and
professional REGULATIONS for Integrity and
ability. You represent the whole country.
You represent neither section nor party l
have not sought TO find out the politics of
a single one of you, and indeed, as to the
majority of you, / have not the slightest
idea what your political affiliations
believe that each one of you will serve
not merely with entire fidelity, but with
the most efficiency. III at any time l feel
that any one of you is not rendering
the best service which II is possible to pro-
cure l shall feel called upon to disregard
alike my feelings for the man and the
mans own feelings and forthwith TO sub
stitute for him on the committee some other
man whom / deem capable of rendering
better service.
Moreover. l shall expect, If at any time
any one of you feel that the work is too
exhaustive and engrossng for hir- to do
In the best possible manner, that ne will
of his own accord so inform me, in order
that / may replace him by some man who,
to the requisite ability. joins to the will
and the strength to give all the effort
needed. But so long you render eff
cient service of the highest type in the
work you are appointed 10 perform, you
may rest assured of my hearty support
and backing in every way.
These are the conditions under which
you have been appointed and under which
] shall expect you to proceed. L shall fur
thermore expect you TO apply precisely the
same principles In the choice and retention
of the subordinates who do the work under
you 1 have applied in your choice and
shall apply Ia your retention. l shall expect
you TO appoint man for reasons other
than your belief in the aid he can render
you in digging the canal IT, having APP
pointed any man.. you find that your ex-
that from any reason he falls short of his
duty. / shall expect you TO dismiss him out
of hand: 1 shall expect that under such
circumstances you Will pay not the slightest
heed 10 any backing or influence the man
may have / assume matter of course
that in dealing with contractors you will
srt nrpCfSQfV the DrinCiDlpc w
apply In any great private business under
taking. There Is no man among you to
whom think il is necessary to say a word
as TO the standard of honesty TO be expected
had had the slightest ground for suspicion
that there were need 10 say such a word
10 any one of you should not have ap-
pointed him. But do wish to empha size
that need OF unceasing vigilance in the per-
Torrance of this great work.
LAS 10 the details of the work itself. 1
expeditiously as possible. and as econom-
fcally as is consistent with thoroughness
There is one matter to which 1 wish to ask
your special attentton-the question of san
itation and hygiene. You will take meas
ures TO secure the best medical experts for
this purpose whom you can obtain. and you
will OF course. make the contractors sub
NIT as implicitly as your own employees to
all the rules and regulations of the med
zeal department under you. l presume you
will find IL best 10 have one head for this
medical Separtment but that I shall leave
TO your own judgment.
''The plans are 10 be carefully made with
n view TO the needs not only OF the mo-
ment, but CT the future. The expenditures
are TO be supervised as vigorously as If they
were being made for a private corporation
dependent for its profits upon the returns.
country can afford to meet the conditions
created by every need which may arise
The methods for achieving the results must
be yours. What this Nation will insist upon
Is that the results be achieved