Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1906-12-21


and there some minor rascality will BIS
uncovered; but as to this, have to say
that after the most painstaking inquiry
/ have been unable to find single reput-
able person who had so much as heard
Of any serious accusations affecting the
honesty of the commission or OF any
responsible officer under il. | append
letter dealing with the most serious
charge, that of the ownership of lots In
Colon; the charge was not advanced by
reputable man. and is utterly base
less 1t Is not too much 70 say that tho
whole atmosphere Of the corDmission
hreathes honesty as it breathes efficiency
been kept absolutely clear Of politics. I
have never heard even suggestion of
spells politics in connection with 1t.
I have investigated every complaint
brought to me for which there seemed
to be any shadow OF foundation. In
two or three cases. all of which
have indicated in the course Of this
message. I came to the conclusion that
there was foundation for the COM
plant. and that the methods of the
commission in the respect complained
stances the complaints proved abso-
lutely bassless. save in two or three
Instances where they referred to mis-
takes which she commission had al
ready found out and corrected.
ISLANDERS and Libelers.
SO much for honest criticism. There
remains immense amount of az
reckless Islander as has ever been pub
lilshed Where the slanderers are Of
foreign origin / have no concern with
them. Where they are Americans. I
feel for them the heartiest contempt
and Indignation: because. In a spirit
OF wanton dishonesty and malice
they are trying to interfere with and
hamper the execution OF. the greatest
work OF the kind ever attempted. and
are seeking to bring to naught the ef-
forts OF their countrymen to put to
the credit OF America one of the giant
feats OF the ages. The outrageous
accusations OF these slanderers con-
stftute a gross libel upon a body Of
public servants who for trained intel
tetr and devotion 70 duty have never
been ercelled anywhere. There is not
a man among those directing the work
on the isthmus who has obtained his
alone. and not one who has used his
position in any way for his own per-
sonal or pecuniary advantage
Plan to Build by Contract.
After most careful consideration we
have decided TO let out most of the
work by contract II we can come to
satisfactory terms with the contract
suited to the peeGiiar genius Of our
people: and our people have devel-
oped the type OF contractor best fitted
much better to do the work in large
part by contract than to do II all by
the government. provided II IL pos
sible on the one hand to secure to ths
to make IL worth while for respon
sible contractors OF the best kind to
undertake the work and provided on
the other hand IL can be done on terms
which will not give an excessive profit
to the contractor at the expense OF
the government. After much con-
sideradon the plan already promul-
gated by the secretary of war was
adopted. This plan in it's essential
features was drafted after careful
and thorough study and consideration,
by the chief engineer. Mr.. Stevens.
who. while in the employment of Mr..
Hill. the president of the Great North
Of this very type OF contract: Mr..
Stevens then submitted the plan to
the chairman of the commission. Mr..
Shonts. who went carefully over IL
the commission. to that all legal
difficulties were met. He then submit
tary Taft and myself. Secretary Taft
submitted il to some of the best coun-
sci at the New York bar and after
wards I went over it very carefully
laid the plan in its general features
before Mr.. Root MY conclusion is
that IL combines the maximum OF ad-
vantage with the minimum of disad-
vantage. Under il a premium will be
put upon the speedy and economical
construction of the canal. and pen
atty imposed on delay and waste. The
plan as promulgated is tentative;
dou btless it will have to be changed
in some respects before we can come
to a satisfactory agreement with re-
sponsibIe contractors-perhaps even
after the bids have been received;
and of course il is possible that we
case the government will do the work
itself Meanwhile the work on the
isthmus is progressing steadily and
without any let up. So
Single Commissioner Desired. -
A seven-headed commission is of
course a clumsy executive instrument.
We should have but one commission
er. with such heads of departments
and other officers under him as we
may find necessary. We should be
expressly permitted to employ the
best engineers in the country as con-
sulting engineers.
accompany this paper with a map
showing substantially what the canal
will be like when il is finished When
the Culebra cut has been made and
the dams built III they are built at
at both the Pacific and Atlantic ends
Of the canal two great fresh-water
lakes. connected by a broad channel
running at the bottom Of ravine.
Those hest informed be-
lieve that the work will be completed
in about eight years; but 1t is never
safe to prophesy about such a work
as this. especially in the tropics.
Confident of Ultimate Success
OF the success of the enterprise 7
am as well convinced one can be
IF any enterprise that is human II
s a stupendous work upon which our
elbow countrymen are engaged down
here on the isthmus. and while wa
ihould hold them to strict accounta-
,ility for the way in which they per-
orm it, we should recognize with
rank generosity the epic nature of
he task upon which they are engaged
nd its worldwide Importance They
re doing something which will re-
loud immeasurably to the credit of
america. which will benefit all the
World. and which will last for ages
D come. Under Mr.. Shonts and Mr..
tevens and Dr. Gorgas this work has
tarted with every omen of good for
une. They and their worthy associates,
rom the highest to thee lowest are
ntitled to the same credit that we
,ould give to the picked men of
ictnrious arnv; for this conquest Of
eace will. in its great and far-reach-
1g effect stand the very
reatest conquests. whether of peace