The Washington herald., 1906-12-03

omy of Having Work Done by Con-
tract-President's Visit Beneficial.
Secretary of War William H. Taft
writes of "The Panama Canal for the
Christmas issue Of the Century Magazine,
setting forth the political and physical
problems that are being sturdily overcome
on the isthmus and at home.
The Secretary pronounces grOundless re-
cent predictions that the San Francisco
earthquake is u bad omen for the perma-
nency of work in the Canal Zone. He de-
clares the creation Of the Panama repUb-
lie and the firm prohibition Of revOlu-
tions" by the United States furnish a
strong guard against hampering political
disturbances. Mr.. Taft asserts further
that Chinese labor Is necessary, and Incl
dentally he takes a rap at the hindrances
caused by twenty-eight hour" muck
rakers.
when the facts in regard TO the action
Of the San Francisco earthquake are eX-
alnined," writes Mr.. Taft, they mini
mize rather than increase the probability
Of danger from this source. 1t is prob
able that with respect to the earthen
dams on the canal an earthquake would
do no harm.
Experience in San Francisco shows
that the material best able to resist the
earthquake shock is the reinforced con-
crete, and this is the material of which
the canal locks are to be constructed.
~ one kauf n,
earthquake would not destroy them. the
experience Of San Francisco shows that
such structures have stood even the di-
rect thrust Of the shock of an earth
quake.
Concrete Dam VIII Hold.
There was one concrete dam. known
as the Crystal Springs dam. IN a reser-
vOlr on the peninsula OF San Francisco.
which yas moved two ways by the thrusts
and pulls Of the earthquake, and yet
stood and held the water It was intended
TO hold. Under these circumstances II
seems Unwise and unnecessary 10 con-
slider the dangers Of seismic disturbances
on the isthmus. There have been earth
quake disturbances there. but the condi-
ton of many old buildings is such as to
show that they could not have been par
ticulariy severe.
The enormous advantage that we now
have through exercising sovereignty over
the canal strip in facilitating construction
cannot be exaggerated. We have stamped
out yellow fever, greatly reduced malaria.
which was the bane of the isthmus, and
We have produced a condition OF health
about equal TO that which prevails among
tar fr~.4Fs 1.A
the Southern States. The new Republic
of Panama suffers, as the republics of
South American origin have suffered,
from instability.
The people are bad winners and bad
losers. 1t has been necessary, therefore,
for the United States government 70 as
sert itself under the treaty, which was
made with great foresight. and 70 advise
all political parties IN the Republic of
Panama that in order to avoid obstruction
10 the building of the canal the United
States will not permit revolutions IN that
republic.
Refers 90 Chinese Labor
Objection is made to the introduction
in the Canal Zone of Chinese workmen
by representatives Of labor organizations
in this country. Ny impression is that
the representatives Of labor organizations
VIII not add to their prestige or their
reputation for common sense by opposing
the use Of Chinese in a region in which
Il is impossible to induce American labor
ers TO remain a work and where il Is
necessary TO use foreign labor in any
event
The canal must be built. and as IL can
not be built by American labor IL must
be built with that labor which is most
effective. There is not the slightest differ
eIce in principle between the employ
ment Of the West Indian blacks and the
Chinese, except that the Chinese are more
efficient
The canal ought TO be built by con
tract, because the government ought 20
enjoy the benefit which comes from the
economy that the prospect OF private gain
and personal interest in the performance /
Of contract always secures from pri-
yate managers, but In so large a contract
II seems unwise and impossible to invite |
bids upon the work in the usual form, on
the basis Of either a lump sum OF unit
prices for work done.
'One of the Indispensable accountant !
ments OF a work OF this kind is interfer-
ence with its progress by unjust and ma
fcious criticism. This cannot be avoid
ed. It IS essential IN our community and
under our form of government that it
should be so, and in the end it cures It /
self, because the people. after having been
shown once or twice the utter lack UI
foundation for such charges. simply dis
regard them. Thus far no corruption or
graft of any kind has been disclosed in !
connection with the construction Of the
canal
The visit of the President to the 18th |
mus is a matter of the utmost impor- |
tance. II emphasizes the national and |
worldwide importance of the enterprise. |
1t gives to him who is charged with |
executing the task the personal touch /
and local atmosphere so useful in deter
mining questions arising for his decision. /
1t thrills those directly engaged in the
work with the inspiration to energy and /
fidelity which comes from this concrete /
evidence that they are working under the /
eye OF a great nation
BLACK PATTI" IS DEAD.