The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-04-07
MEN TO BUILD CANAL
New Commission Named By President
Roosevelt.
TREE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.
President Also Sets Forth General Scheme
for Conducting Work and Government Of
Canal Zone-Advlsory Boards Of Experts to
Be Named as the Work Progresses-New
Commission Meets.

Washington, Especially. - The new
commission TO build the Panama Canal
was announced Monday and in state
nent issued by the President in the
shape of letter to the Secretary of War
Mr.. Roosevelt makes it clear to his new
commissioners that he expects them to
get to work and dig the canal. A new
organization is provided, for the Presi-
dent announces that he will carry out his
pet project of appointing boards of en-
gineer experts, who are to work out the
various great engineering projects that
will CONFRONT Chief Engineer Wallace
in his work of constructing the canal.
Within half an hour after the Presi-
dents departure from Washington Sec
rotary Taft, directly in charge of canal
matters, made public the personnel of the
new commission and the division of du-
ties among them. Only one member
of the old commission was reappointed,
Mr.. Benz amin M, Harrod. Otherwise
the commission is new from top to bot
tom, for there is a top and bottom and
considerable difference between the func
tons and pay of the commissioners.
Finding he was obliged legally TO ap-
point seven commissioners the Presi-
dent did so, but he carried put his own
plan by making three of them practical
ly the commission.
The other four, though bearing the
title of commissioners, not only receive
much lower compensation, but are as
signed much smaller fields of activity.
The President also has carried out his
scheme of dividing up the work of canal
building among the commissioners, SO
that, nominally acting as body on stated
occasions, each individual member would
operate in a special field. The head Of
the commission is trained railway man,
chosen for his administrative abilities
in the financial and purchasing field; the
new governor of the zone is lawyer,
who also has had to do with state affairs !;
the engineer-commissio already IS
known for his abilities in the execution
of the practical work of canal cutting.
The other members of the commission
are men of high ability as hydraulic en-
gineers. Secretary Taft told them that
they were expected to show results. and
that is said to be the keynote for the
Presidents action.
This Is the Commission.
Theodore P. Shonts, chairman.
Charles E. Magoon, governor of canal
zone.
John E. Wallace, chief engineer
n III 7
N.
Brigadier General Peter c. Hams, Y.
Col. Oswald M. Ernst, Corps Engi-
neers, U. S. A.
Benjamin NJ Harrod.
In connection with the announcement
Secretary Taft gave out for publication
a statement showing the allotments OF
salaries to the new commissioners and
his own letter to the President and one
from the latter explaining the plan OF
reorganization of the commission; the
reasons therefor, and the particular du-
ties to be assigned to each commissioner
The Salaries.
"The President has made an order al
lowing salary of $500, with travelling
expenses, to each member OF the COM
mission, and to the CHAIRMAN of the COM
mission the additional compensation OF
SEE, 500; to the chief engineer the addi-
tional compensation of $I7,5oo, and to the
governor of the zone the additional COM
pensation of $4,000. The head of each
department is allowed the use of fur
nished house upon the isthmus, and his
travelling expenses when travelling on
the business of the commission.
"The total is $Io2, 800. The salaries
and allowances under the former COM
mission amounted to $4,000 The total
compensation OF the governor OF the
zone and the chief engineer are IN effect
unchanged. 49,,
"Prof William H. Burr and Mr.. Will
liam Barclay Parsons, civil engineers,
will be appointed as members OF the con-