The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-17
Continued from page Three.) }

examination tended to show that some
of the departments had doubtless neces-
sarily) become overdeveloped. and could
now be reduced or subordinated without
impairment OF efficiency and with a saw
ing OF cost. The chairman OF the commits
sion Mr. Shonts, has all matters OF this
kind constantly in view, and is now reor-
ganizing the government OF the Zone. so
as TO make the form OF administration
both more flexible and less expensive
subordinating everything to direct emil
cheney with view TO the work OF the
canal commission. From time TO time
changes OF this kind will undoubtedly
have TO be made. for II must be remem-
bered that in this giant work OF con-
etruction, IL Is continually necessary to
develop departments or bureaus, which
are vital for the time being. but which
soon BECOME useless: just as 1t will be
continually necessary to put up build
tngs, and even to erect towns, which In
10 years will once more give place 10
Jungle, or will then be at the bottom OF
the great lakes at the ends OF the canal.
Doubling Thomases
II Is not only natural, but Inevitable,
that work as gigantic as this which has
been undertaken on the isthmus would
arouse every species OF hostility and crit
fcism. The conditions are so new and so
trying, and the work so vast, that II
would be absolutely out Of the question
will occur. Unforeseen difficulties will
arise From time TO time seemingly we'll
settled plans will have to be changed. At
present 25, 900 men are engaged on the
task. After while the number will be
doubled In such n multitude 1t is in
evitable that there should be here and
there a scoundrel.
Very many OF the poorer class OF la
borers lack the mental development TO
protect themselves against either the ras-
cality OF others or their own folly, and IL
Is not possible for human wisdom to de-
wise plan by which they can invariably
be protected. In a place which has been
for ages a byword for unhealthfulness.
and with so large congregation of
strangers suddenly put down and set to
hard work there will now and then be
outbreaks OF disease. There will now and
then be shortcomings in administration;
there will be unlookt-for accidents TO de-
lay the excavation OF the cut or the build
ing OF the dams and locks Each such
incident will be entirely natural. and.
even tho serious. no one OF them will
mean more than little extra delay or
trouble.
Yet each, when discovered by sensation
rnongers and retailed to timid folk OF
little faith. will serve as an excuse for
the belief that the whole work Is being
badly managed. Experiments will con-
tinually be tried In housing. in hygiene,
IN btrNet IN 0reOg1ng, ana IN
digging earth and rock. Now and then
an experiment will be a failure; ands
among those who hear OF IL, a certain
proportion OF doubling Thomases will at
once believe that the whole work Is a
failure. Doubtless here and there some
minor rascality will be uncovered: but
as TO this, i have To say that after the
most painstaking inquiry have been un-
able TO find a single reputable person who
had so much as heard OF any serious ac-
cusations Affecting the honesty OF the
commission or Of any responsible officer
under It, append letter dealing with
the most serious charge, that OF the own
ership OF lots in Colon; the charge was
not advanced by reputable man, and Is
utterly baseless. II IL not too much to
say that the whole atmosphere OF the
commission breathes honesty as it
breathes efficiently and energy Above
all. the work has been kept absolutely
clear OF politics. have never heard
even suggestion OF spoils politics in con-
nection with IL.
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 indi-
Gated in the course OF this message. I came
10 the conclusion that there was foun-
dalton for the complaint, and that the
methods of the commission in the respect
complained OF could be bettered In the
other instances the complaints proved
absolutely baseless. save In two or three
instances where they referred to mis-
takes which the commission had already
Itself found out and corrected
sianderers md Libelers
So much for honest criticism. There re-
mains an immense amount OF as reckless
slander as has ever been published Where
the ISLANDERS are OF foreign origin | have
no concern with them. Where they are
Americans, ] 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 10 bring to naught the efforts of
their countrymen to put TO the credit OF
America one Of the giant feats Of the
ages The outrageous accusations or these
siandereres constitute a gross libel upon a
body of public servants who for trained
Intelligence. expert ability, high charac-
ter and devotion TO duty, have never been
excelled anywhere. There is not a man
among those directing the work on tho
isthmus who has obtained his position on
any other basis than merit alone. and not
one who has used his position in any
way for his own personal or pecuniary
advantage.
Plan 10 Build by Contract
After most careful consideration we
have decided TO let out most OF the work
by contract. II we can come TO satisfac-
tory terms with the contractors The
whole work Is OF a kind suited TO the necu-
liar genius OF our people: and our peopie
have developed the type OF contractor best