The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-10-18
Differences Over
The Psnama Canal.

since the return OF Secretary Taft
from his Philippine 5unket q breach
Dr. the relations between he and Mr.
Sbonts, chairman Of the Panama Ca
nal Commission. has apparently deveI-
oped 10 such an extent as to cause
considerable friction between them,
relative to Panama matters, and Il is
possible. the trouble may become Of
such a serious nature that the admin.
istration viii be compelled 10 take a
hand The Savannah News sees trou-
Die IN the present condition Of affairs
and after reviewing the differences be
tween the two big men of the Panama
canal proposition, suggests that. pos
sibly. the digging Of the big ditch wiz
he facilitated by letting the work out
10 private contractors. The News has
the following to say upon the sub
ject
A day or two ago there was a news
paragraph In the newspapers in which
81 was stated that an effort had been
made 10 place the Panama canal
under the jurisdiction Of the State De
partment, and that Secretary Root
had declined TO accept the response
bility AS is well known IL is now
under the jurisdiction of the War De
partmeut.
The paragraph wasn't generally IN
6erstOod at the time OF its appear
ance. Ii now develops that there Is
likely 70 be trouble between the Pres
ident and Secretary Taft 81 the Secre-
tary isn't permitted 70 have full au-
th0rity in the construction of the
canal On his return from the Philip
pines the latter found that the Presi-
cent and Mr.. ShOnts. the president of
the Canal Commission. had run things
petty much as they pleased while he
was away, that is, they had done about
IS they wanted 10 without regard 70
the law governing government con
tracts. IL seems that Mr.. ShOnts liT-
Cd s little way from the Presidents
summer home, and that be was with
him every day or two Tt VIII be
recalled that Mr.. Shonts let a very
large contract late In the summer AMI
that there was an outcry against him
because the lowest bidder had been ig-
nored. Il seems, however, that the
President looked into the matter and
approved Mr.. ShOnts's action. Accord
ing TO report there have been several
important contracts let by Mr.. Sh0nts
without any regard 20 the law.
OF course Secretary Taft isn't going
% stand anything of that sort. and
De isn't going 10 permit the President
% butt IN whenever he feels like do
tng so unless the latter assumes the
entire responsibility for the building
OF the canal He doesn't purpose tOi
take the responsibility and let Mr.. /
Shonts and the President run things
tc suit themselves.
And Mr.. ShOnts is a man who frests /
81 any sort OF restraint He wants 4
10 build the canal IN as short a timel
as possible and az the least cost. Hel
wants 10 cut out an red tape and-tOI
report what he proposes TO DO and
what De does direct % the President +
Therefore o. is expected that he will
strongly object 10 playing second I'D \
ole 20 the Secretary of War. II he
cannot have his way. N he isn't 10
have power commemorate with his
duties, The chances are he win resign
There is q probability therefore that .
when he finds out that the cabine-t
81 ITS recent meeting decided that Mr..
ehOnts must report 70 Mr.. TAFT as
his superior officer. he nav notify the \
President that the time has come for
getting another chairman Of the canal
commission III it comes TO the point +.
a. giving up his Secretary Of War or
chairman OF the Panama Canal Com
mission the chances are the President
VII give up the chairman.
After al, wouldn't il be better to-
let the work on the canal out 10 con
tractors? II is practically certain thar
TIE work would be done much sooner
than ~ The government undertakes to
% ii. and there Is no doubt 81 would
be done az much less cost. AS long,,
as the government undertakes TO do
the Work there is certain to be fric-l