Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-22
PRESIDENT TO CHANCE PERSONNEL
Horace G. Burt Reported as Likely to Be New Chairman of Commis- sion-Magoon to Succeed Da-
 wis as Governor.

v1s as GOvernOr.
 WASHINGTON. March 22.-Secreta- ry of War Taft, addressing the presi- dent in letter, recommends com plete encouragement of the duties of the isthmian canal commission and a change in tbe personnel of the commis- sion.
 Secretary Taft has informed the pres ident of his intention to submit later definite plan of organization of the commission. Secretary Taft said:
 II herewith transmit the answer of the commission to the charges contain ed in the report of Dr. c. A. l.. Reed to me as to the sanitary provisions made by the istiMnian canal commis sion on the isthmus.
 T think that q reading of the two documents will show what indeed was apparent on the face of Dr. Reeds statement-that his charges against the commission were biased and contro- versial and not written in the judicial spirit that inspires confidence in their justice and accuracy.
 "Dr. Reed visited the isthmus at my request to act as an assessor of land up on commission provided by the trea- ty between Panama and the United States, but as he was the head of the American Medical association it seem- ed to me an opportunity on his return to secure information from one skilled in his profession as to the existing con- ditions- upon the isthmus In response to my queries he was so emphatic and so detailed in his charges that I asked him to make his statement in writing, which he did upon the same day by the use of stenographer. It is probable that had he taken more time he would have been more measured in his criti- cisms, less extreme in his statements and less flippant in his references to the action of the commission. The re-. port of Dr. Reed was published with out my knowledge or consent.
 With your permission will submit in day or two plan for the better carrying on of the work of the commis- sion which may be embodied in new series of instructions
 The president in reply said:
 II have received your report of March 17, together with the report of Dr. Reed and the answer thereto made by the commission. It appears from this that Dr. Reeds report (which, of course should under no circumstances have been given to the public until you chose so to.give it and until the answer thereto had been made by the cOmmis siom was without your knowledge printed in the Medical Journal.
 Tt further appears that the state ments which he thus published were in 1 many instances unwarranted by the facts and has accusations in many in stances unsupported by proof.
 Judging from your report, it ap- pears that the chief difficulties that have arisen have come from the inher- ent faultiness of the law under which i the commission was appointed. It fur ther appears, however, that in view of our experience with the workings of the commission arrangement of du- ] ties and change of personnel in view : of this encouragement should be made. l am glad that you are shortly to sub- init to me plan with these objects in view"
 It is said that Horace c. Burt, for mer president of the Union Pacific railroad, will be made chairman of the Panama Canal commission. but Secretary Taft. under whose depart ment the commission is immediately responsible. declines to make any com- ment on the report. The general un- derstanding has been that John F. Wallace. the present chief engineer of the canal, would be placed at the head of the commission to succeed Rear Ad- miral John q. Walker and that Charles : E. Magoon, the present legal adviser of the canal commission. would he ap- pointed governor of the canal zone to succeed Major General George W. Davis and minister to Panama to sue ceed John Barrett, who suggested to the state department that the offices of governor and minister should be merged. Mir. Barrett. in making the suggestion. expressly indicated that he n Al.