The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-14
REDUCE CANAL COMMISSION.
PRESIDENT ASKS CONGRESS FOR
Authority TO DO 1T.
lie Says the Commission Should Connst
OF five. or Preferably or Three Nein-
bers. WIN Advisory EnEinerrs-Pa'
elnc Mail Contract TO BE Abrosated.

eInc AIaII Contract to BE Abrosated.
WASHINGTON. Jan. i3.-Tho expected
happened to-day when President Roosevelt
sent TO Congress a recommendation that
legislation DO provided permitting him
70 reduce the membership Of the Panama
Canal Commission. In this be followed
tho advice Of Secretary Taft and went
contrary TO soms OF tho present COM
missioners. The Presidents view is
that the commission as at present organ
lied. with seven members. Ia clumsy
and Ineffective. and he thinks there should
be not more than five commissioners, but
preferably three, with an advisory board OF
engineers
The President practically adopts without
change the suggestion, advanced by Chief
Engineer Wallace. who started tho oppo-
sition 10 the continuance OF the present
commission. Mr. Wallace Is commended
by tbs President and there can be no doubt
that II the Presidents recommendations
are carried out MIR. Wallace will have full
sway in carrying out his plans for build
ing the canal. leaving the three or five
commissioners to attend 10 executive busl-
ness only.
An interesting piece Of news in connec-
ton with Panama Canal affairs IL that
Secretary Taft has served notice on the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company Of the
abrog cation OF its special contract with the
Panama Railway Company on July II. The
Presidents message follows;
TO the Senate and House Of e, prcsentdtireS:
i transmit herewith the report Of the
Isthmidn Canal Commission. accompanied
10y lottcr OF the Secretary OF War, under
whose supervision | have hy executive or
der placed the work Of the commission.
| concur with the Secretary Of War in the
view that che present provision OF the law,
by which the work OF building the canal
has - be done only through body of sc ven
mcilbers, Il inelastic and clumsy, and
earnestly recommend change 90 that the
President, who Is charged with the response
biity Of building the canal. may exercise
greater discretion IN the organization Of the
personnel through whom he - TO discharge
this duty.
Actual experience has convinced me that
il will be impossible TO obtain the test and
most effective service under the limitations
prescribed 10y law. The general plans for
the work must be agreed upon with the aid
of tho best engineers Of the country, who
should act a. an advisory or consulting
body. he consulting engineers should not
he put on the commission, which should be
used only a. an executive instrument for
the executive and administrative work,
The actuai work of executing the general
plans agreed upon 10y the commission. after
receiving the conclusions OF the advising
engineers must be done by an engineer in
charge. and we now have an excellent
engineer.
1t is. in my judgment. inadvisatle
therefore, to re,trict the Executives choice
OF CON ni.Noners TO repro ,entatives Of the
engineer corps of the army or Of the navy.
The COMM, sion should consist Of FIVE. or
=attN Of
tive duties powers and salaries should he
assigned 10 them by the President, and
who should be placed under the member Of
the Cabinet whom the President desires
OF these men the one appointed "a admins
traitor OF the Canal strip should also serve
as Minister 10 Panama
"THFonoRE ROOSEVELT
The WHITE House. Jan 10, 1905.
In transmitting to Congress the first
annual report Of the Isthmian Canal Com
mission, Secretary Taft summaries that
very elaborate document lie says IL
shows that a great deal OF the work Of or
Raui1ation, sanitation and preparation "a
build the canal he's been done. The cha9
oC2ciiiCn Of eiiaIs in the lsihmus. due 70
tho tina which has earsNd since the New
French Canal Comrany ceased 10 work
the lack Of care Of the plant and equipment
and the rapid growth Of vegetati on in that
soil and climate. all brought about such
state Of confusion tina it win REQUIRE several
months vet 20 restore the condition % the
work Of cepal building to that OF going
concern. Substantial Progress Res Teen
n 70 ir ~" s"'itrtior ~ tNo cFrnl s'rio
Tho Secretary recommends the ncuusi-
ton Oy the Government OF the per cent Of
the stock Of the Panama Railroad Com
pany IN private hands, which NAV be Sc
cured by condemnation. or through lease
of the road 10 the Canal Commission. which
will practically effect ne same purpose as
actual ownership OF the stock
The Secretary thinks the existing con-
tract between the Panama Railroad Com
panv and the Pacin, Mail Steamship Com
pany. giving the latter exclusive right to
issue through bills OF laling on business
betw San Francisco and Neg York,
Is inraid under the laws OF Colombia and
the laws OF Panama. but at anv rate he IS
clear that the United States Government
cannot consistently, and with due regard
to It's own pubic policy make itself party
to such n contract Therefore he has
directed the commits sion 10 sec to IL that,
a. a majority Of the directors Of the railroad
conn anv, they serve notice on the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company Of he intent on
Of the railroad company 10 withdraw from
the contract at the end of six months.
ine eclrlaiy AZ. ves WITH ten Davis
that rfe wiser policy Tor Tire commission
would ba TO get out OF the IT ans p bust
nes4 by either lease or a sala OF the steam
eis owned by the railroad company. under
a stipulation which lall secure reas Enable
rates and proper weekly service between
New \ ork and Colon"
The first annual report Of rho Canal Com
mission and tho rer0rt Of Gen. Davis Gov
crnor Of the Cinal 2 ,ne were sent TO Con-
Rress with Secretary Taft's communication
The commission says that a change Of
plans so "a 20 provide for building a sea
level canal In place of a lock and dam canal
cannot he decided until surveya are com
pleted The use Of Southern States negroes
for canal work is considered praciica bic.
but not adivsable. owing to the friction
that would ensue If the American negro
was brought into contact with other Ethi-
ouians.