Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-12
AT THE White HOUSE
Panama Canal Commissioners
Call.
ALSO Mr.. BARRETT
GO OVER MATTERS CONNECTED
WITH CANAL CONSTRUCTION.
Ex-senator Washburn and Stewart L.
Woodford Talk to the Presi-
dent on Politics.
ALSO Mr.. BARRETT

Six of the seven members of the Panama
canal commission-the absentee being Colo
mel Davis-spent some time today with
President Roosevelt going over canal and
other affairs on the isthmus. Their talk
with the President was interrupted at in
tervals by visitors, and when 1t was over
Admiral Walker, Colonel Hecker and
others said they had paid compliment
tary' visit to the President. AS the visit
was unusually long one for a compli-
mentary affair, the conclusion Is that Ad-
miral Walker overlooked many of the
things that were talked about.
There Is little doubt that the chief subject
of the conference was the differences that
have arisen between the American authori-
ties on the isthmus and the authorities Of
the republic of Panama, together with a re-
puted misunderstanding between Minister
Barrett who has recently come to this
country, and Admiral Walker as to man
agement of affairs. There is some political
agitation on the isthmus among the natives,
and this fact Is inducing some charges
against this country as to arbitrary conduct
and Interpretation of agreements made be-
tween the two countries. The feeling IN
administration circles, however. Is that all
these matters will come right before
great while.
The members of the commission desired
to acquaint the President informally with
what they nave accomplished DIT tuc SCI lcS
of meetings which were brought to
close today. Most of their work has con-
sisted in making decisions on proposals
for supplies notably thirteen huge steam
shovels which were decided on, and 5000
900 feet of lumber. In case the work is
subsequently given out by contract,
specification will be inserted for the pur-
chase of these steam shovels. and all SINH
lar equipments that the commission is
now acquiring. by the contractors 1t will
be some months before decision need be
reached on the question of building direct
ly under the commission or through con-
tracts. and the result will depend upon
what the contractors are able to offer by
comparison with the cost of operations
now.
Many advantages will result, the COM
mission explained to the President today,
from making substantial progress on the
work before contractors are asked to look
into it. This will remove the element of
uncertainty as to cost of operation. Con-
tractors who went in now would add a
certain percentage to their normal esti-
mates to allow for the peculiar difficulties
that might arise in that territory. as well
as their allowance for profit. The COM
mission, after it has carried on eXcavating
and other work for year, Will have
reached a substantial basis of reckoning,
by which both lney and the contractors
may know with approximate accuracy
what things will cost. These findings will
doubtless be worth millions Of dollars to
the government in reducing the bids of
contractors if the work is finally done in
that way, and it is not unlikely that the
commission will keep right on doing the
work itself. Important questions of route
and of plan remain to be worked out, but
there are sufficient tasks which must be
done any way to keep the army of en-
ployes busy until the engineers have reach
ed their final conclusions.
Minister Barrett in Conference.
Later in the day John Barrett, the United
States minister to Panama, had long con-
affairs of all kinds, but especially. of course,
relating to diplomatic relations of this coun-
try with the Panama republic. Mr.. Barrett
automatically AYERS that there are ques-
lions in dispute between the two countries
that cannot be amicably and easily ar
ranged.
After his interview with the President,
Mr.. Barrett, in answer to questions, said
that there is a mistaken impression as to
differences between this country and Pana-
ma. Il do not know how these stories
arose They seem to have all started in
this country, Mr.. Barrett said. When L
left Panama had perfect understanding
with the Panama authorities and l am here
now working out the agreement I had with
them. The main difference as to sovereign
ity will be settled within a short time to the
satisfaction of all concerned. Our relations
with Panama are of the most pleasant and
amicable kind There will be many new
questions arising at times, as is natural
under circumstances unprecedented and I'M
usual
There is absolutely no truth in the
stories of friction between myself and Ad-
miral Walker. We have naturally had some
differences. but they have been entirely
friendly and frank. 1t would be almost i'm
possible for two men to work alongside of
each other and have identically the same
views and opinions and that Is just how
much truth there is in the talk of friction
of any kind"
A Republican Landslide.
The November election will be a republi-
can landslide-a regular landslide that even
the leaders of the party don't foresee.'
SO stated ex-senator Washburn of Min
nesota at the White House today The
Minnesota ex-senator arrived here last night
and will be here several days. He called
on the President for a few words of per-
sonal nature and to assure him that his
election was certainty.
Every northern and northwestern state
will give a plurality for Roosevelt" con-
tinued Mr.. Washburn. 1T Is not impossible
that one or two of the little western states
by reason of local fights and disturbances
may vote the democratic ticket, but my be-
lief is that the solid south will be the only
portion of the country to cast an electoral
vote for the democratic nominees
There is no inducement for any man to
vote the democratic ticket this year. What
attraction is there for young man, for
instance? They want to something
done, and they know the election of Par
stand still. Business men. men of nearly
every class, find nothing in the democratic
nominees or platform to attract them. and
that feeling is so overwhelming I cannot
see what the democrats expect or hope for.
AS to Minnesota. the majority will be not
less than $4,000, the greatest figure ever
given presidential candidate. The Presi-
dent Is the most popular republican nom-
nee for chief executive the party ever had.
This is particularly true of the west and
1 am informed that the popularity of the
President increases in the east every day."
''It is in the Air-Roosevelt"
| Stewart L. woodford, former minister of
| the United States to Spain. called on the
| President today. He is here in attendance
| upon the Supreme Court
Il have been in Europe all summer" said
Mr. Woodford, land have not kept close
| track of the political situation. but in New
| York it seems to be in the air that Roose-
! Welt will carry the State and the country
| That is certainly the drift of things"
LAS to the state ticket?"
II do not know so much about that But
! it Is unfortunate that the fight on the state
| ticket should have been made at this time,
| for If there is an honest, manly man in
| New York 1t is Frank Higgins, the repub-
| lican nominee for governor.
| Secretary Morton of the Navy Depart
| ment told the President today something of
what he has seen and heard In the west