New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-22
PANAMA REORGANIZATION.

Reports of impending reorganization OF the
Panama Canal Commission are suspicious. 1t
has long been evident that commission of
seven, however we'll it may have served the
preliminary demands of the enterprise, would
be too complex and unwieldy for the practical
stages of construction which are now at hand
That we believe has been the conviction of
Secretary Taft, than whom there is no better
authority upon the subject and nobody bearing
more responsibility. If in the absence Of
amendatory legislation, which Congress at the
late session failed to provide, "a commission Of
seven must still nominally be maintained. it
will probably be found practicable to have
three members dominating the administrative
features of the work. with the others as ex-
pert advisers In engineering.
The two names which are mentioned as those
of new members of the commission will be re-
ceived with unqualified approval. AS legal adj
wiser to the commission Judge MagOon has al
ready done invaluable work and has manifest
ed q singularly lucid and masterful comprehen-
sion of the whole situation upon the iSthmus
He has, moreover. won in a marked degree the
confidence and respect of the PanamanS. q
fact which would count for much if he should
become Governor of the canal zone. The praC
teal achievements already recorded, of Mr.
Wallace as chief engineer. and the sane and
progressive views which he is known to hold
concerning the plan or the canal and It's exc
cution, would make his appointment upon the
commission, which is said to be decided upon,
of happiest augury. A commission of such men
as these spending ten months of each year
upon the isthmus, and having plenary discre-
ton and power in all matters of detail, would
assure the completion of the canal in the mini
mum of time, at the minimum of expense and
with q minimum of danger of untOward COM
plcations.
The feature Of the case which will probably
provoke most comment, and perhaps some con-
troversy, is the proposal to combine in one per-
son the functions of Minister to Panama and
Governor of the canal zone. That proposal
originated, we believe, with the present Minis
ter to Panama, Mr.. Barrett, at least was
made by him some time ago. Whether he is
still persuaded of its wisdom and desirability,
we do not know. There have been some pro-
tests against it, made by Panamans who seem
TO think it would reflect somewhat upon the
dignity, if not the sovereignty, of their repub-
lie. They think they are worthy to have a
Minister pure and simple sent to them with
out sharing his functions with any other place.
There would, of course, be no intention of re-
fectlng in any unpleasant way upon the re-
public of Panama. If there were such a
doubling up" Of offices, 1t would be the Min
lister to Panama who was also Governor of the
zone, and not the Governor of the zone who
was also Minister to Panama. Beyond doubt
some friction, If not actual conflict, of authority
would be avoided through such merging of
the Offices, and If man so persona grata to
the Panamans as Judge Magoon were appoint
ed to the place, we should probably hear no
complaints and have no trouble.