New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-09
PANAMA CANAL WORK.
Mr.. T'4LFTsS REPORT.
what Has Rsen Done at the Isthmus
-PhlI3piRe Conditions.

rTorhircfoT IF-c. important nart
he annual report of Secretary Taft Of the War
rsnsrrrnent relates the work done and planned
:. panama y. the construction OF the great inter-
ooeanic canal across the isthmus.
After r.r1ewing in detail the steps taken TO Sc
,uYe the. appointment of the present commission,
secretars Taft continues:
asucs care was taken in selecting man for
ssT IAN AS the great constructive enterprises
o. re s probiem Of chief difficulty in building the
essaI one Of transportaten the railroad circles
resf enterprise TO conclusion. Mr.. T. p shonts
, Wa in railroad matters and had shown by
~ energy and high character that he was well
Esbfe task As another member capable of acting
N the executive committee of the commission, Mr.
Wallace. The chief engineer, appointed and
\ thiTd member yon selected Charles E Megoon,
lnsaSs TeE governments for our new possessions
T5eneer in devising ways and means fer the pur-
hers of the commission We're added four distin-
gaished ngneeTsmeene g aai2s United z States IS
fime on a former commission TO the investigation
Colonel Ernst also OF tlle army ehSlheers, VINO
md been on a previous canal commission; Ad-
tI .1Sseu md Docks and Mr. BENJAMIN Harrod a
member of the former commission and member of
The Mississippi River Commission. Under the reg
April g. 1906. An executive committee was APP
pointed consisting OF Shonts: Walace and Wagon:
The executive work was dlVldeq among Mt
shonis, who, chairman, took charge of the
he purchase of material and general executive
c5n;,o of the whole business of the commission;
become = member of the commission and eXeeu-
tire commit VINO LoohA ClldLs 81
;e.bmuS and Governor Magoon who succeeded
ssneraI Davis as Governor Of the zone, and who
sssuuled control of the whole sanitation of the
sstbnts with Colonel Gorgas the immediate
chief sanitary officer This arrangement was put
IN force at once. and Governor Magoon and Mr..
wallace went to the isthmus. while Mr. Shonts
remained 10 reorganlze the once OF the commits
son in Washington. As alreauy said one of the
S.spnns had been the delays attendant upon his
reousitions for all sorts of supplies, which ii was
the proper Office OF the home organzation TO FUR
nsn h54i Of the washington once
Nr Shonts drafted into service to assist him in
the reorganization of this office Colonel Edwards,
tbs chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs whose ex
ssT4ence in organizing his most efficient bureau
regarded of especial value at this time David
" Ross, gentleman of wide and varied expert
ence as purchasing agent for great raiiway sys-
and E. 5. Benson gentleman av1ng similar ran
road experience auditor Of many different
Is auditor Il was not thought wise to economic
In the matter of salaries to be paid in the selec-
enee s. nh NJ Sbonts himself received s9oOO0
TspT Mr. Wallace $1,000 and Governor Magoon
STE Subsequently, Governor Magoon ap-
sointed Minister to Panama. and thus united in
ne nerson the executive or the zone and the
diplomatic representative Of the United States to
This was in accord with the wish Of the author
e S 81 I9 comfort to those Who have had to deal
with The republic, because II removes doubt as 10
urhaf
matte representative of the United States with the
cannot draw two salaries so that he draws no
ss~s not expected to take active executive func
lions but only advisory and supervisory, are paid
r50 year BY this arrangement the new com
mission is not more Of charge to the canal funds
IN the matter Of salaries than the walker SenmS
sion, but by distribution Of duties greater eceney
has been obtained.
CASE OF CHIEF ENGINEER WALLACE.
ls,oiv, v.-fI7p a
notice to return TO the isthmus as chief engineer
p me csl.eI @ To the government FOR while
he had organized on paper only some six or eight
divisions Of work upon the isthmus. at the head OF
each Of which there was to be an engineer Of great
experience 10 be paid from Slete 10 $i9,Oo d ya,
man. At the time Mr.. Wallace laid down his
Office conditions the isthnlus were most chaotic
and it seemed to you and 70 thai proper l9yalty
TO the enterprise required that Mr.. Wallace should
Sis raca and 70 tnmnJete the mere skeleton organ
ization which he leaving. and which would
necessarily fall apart his withdrawal He gave
isthmus OF not That. he said. was settled.
The publication Of the Interview with Mr. Wal,
lace was made after consultation Win you. 91d
was made not for the purpose OF punsning M II.
Wallace. but because the public Were entitled 20
discourage others engaged in responsible positions
notice This l. All there is of the Wallace incl
dent. except that l have peen very glad TO assure
the advisory board the board Of consulting engi-
experienced engineer and an honest man who had
large opportunities for acquiring INFORMATION which
would be valuable TO them ] advised them II call
him. Mr.. Wallace has fully and freely responded
. the call has answered all questions. has given
the board bic Information. ana has declined
any compensation whatever.
BY great good luck. after Ar. Wallaces separa-
ton from the service. found that had then
u me EMPLOY Of the government a man whose
peculiar fitness u DO the executive work of chief
engineer on the isthmus was fully shown az in
vestgaton was made into his experience and repu-
taton and MS achievements a constructing engi-
neer | refer TO Mr.. John r Stevens. We had
enjoyed him in the Insnlar Bureau go TO the
fnlIpplnes and supervise ths construction o. loo
miles Of railway the bids for the building OF which
We're 10 be opened on December 10 next.
with good deal of hesitation Mr.. Stevens, who
was on the OF his trip the Philippines ac-
eepea the new position pToffered him a salary
., &900 year. and went to the isthmus in July
81 this year The executive committee of the
mission now consisted only of Mr.. Shonts and GOV
eTnof Aagoen and the chief executive work in
Washington and elsewhere falls upon Mr.. Shonts
as chairman. who is in general control especially
q the work of construction the isthmus. through
NJ Stevens Governor Magoon still has charge of
sanitation and of the government of the zone The
whole commission meets regularly every quarter
ana acts upon that which has been done by its
agents