The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-30
CANAL BOARD IS
FORCED TO QUIT
President Demands and Receives
designations of the Entire
Commission.
New York Sun Special Service.

Washington, March 30.-The 18TH
mian canal commission was wiped out
OF existence late yesterday afternoon,
when each member rendered his resig-
nation to take effect at once. Admiral
Walker collected the designations of his
five colleagues on the commission, add
ed his own and forwarded them all to
Secretary Taft.
The dissolution of the commission,
which has been expected since the adj
journment of congress, was precipitated
by a fat request for the designations
OF its members. The commissioners had
refused to accept hints and announce
ments, made thru various sources, of i'm
pending changes. They several days
ago reached conclusion to await a
formal demand for their designations
consideration for more than a month to
the selection of new canal commission
ers. Because of delay in receiving
replies to. tenders Of positions on the
commission, it is not now believed that
the names of the new members can be
made known before he leaves next Mon
day on his southern trip.
Shonts as Chief of Board.
Glover Leaf railroad, running from TO
ledo to st. Louis, has been selected as
chairman Of the reorganized canal COM
mission. He has not finally accepted
the place, but it is believed he will do
SO upon his arrival here Saturday. He
is now member of Secretary Morton g
party on the dispatch boat Dolphin.
Judge Charles E.. Magoon will be
made a member of the commission and
After July l he will also discharge the
duties of American minister to Panama.
John +. Wallace, at present chief
engineer Of the canal, will be men,
Der of the commission.
The additional members must be Of
hcers OF the army and navy, either on
the active or retired list. Colonel Clar-
ence E. Edwards, now chief Of the in
sular affairs bureau, is strongly sug-
gested as the army representative.
The other two members will be engi-
neers. 1t was expected the president
would reappoint William Barclay Par
son of New York and Professor Burr,
but this is now regarded as unlikely.
z. The Old Commission.
The retiring commission was appointed
early in 1904. The selection Of Admiral
Walker as chairman was forced. upon
the president by Senator Allison. There
were all manner Of discussions among
the members from the beginning. The
attention Of the commission was largely
given to trivial matters, while the
great work of actually constructing the
canal languished. AS conditions grew
worse, and personal bitterness among
the members developed, Colonel Frank
j. Hecker of Detroit resigned, and his
place was left vacant.
Taft Takes a Look.
The removal of other members was
then discussed and it became evident
the president was determined to effect a.
complete reorganization Of the commits
sion. Secretary Taft was sent to Pan
ANA, one Of the chief missions being to
ascertain just what the commission had
accomplished and how the work Of
When Mr.. Taft submitted his report the
president permitted it to become known
that new set of commissioners would
be chosen and Chief Engineer Wallace
given a free hand in prosecuting the
work.
The immediate execution of the presi-
dent g plan was blocked by the infu-
ence in congress Of Mr.. Allison. He
refused to sanction any legislation
which would result in the removal of
Admiral Walker from the commission.
His power was such that all matters
relating to the canal zone failed Of pas
sage and the president was left to act
on his own discretion.
The determination Of the president
to relieve Minister Barrett at Panama
also followed Secretary Taft's visit Of
inspection. 1t was decided to make
the change at once, but representations
from the Panama government caused a
deferment until July 1.