The Globe-republican., 1906-10-11
NEW CANAL POLICY
No Governor of the Zone Will Be
Appointed to Fill Place Made
Vacant by Magoon.
STEVENS TO HAVE CHARGE.
II Has Been DEFINITELY Decided to
Try Digging the Big Ditch by
Contract 49, President to
Visit the Isthmus.

Visit the Isthmus.
Washington, Oct. 9.-President
Roosevelt mas decided to adopt a new
policy with regard 10 the administra-
ton Of the Panama canal zone. The
goyernorship Is to be left vacant and
affairs in the zone are to be admins.
tered by Chief Engineer Stevens and
the isthmian canal commission of
which he is a member.
The change in policy OF adm mis-
tering the canal zone Is due to the
desire Of Mr. Roosevelt to increase
the efficiency of the force engaged
In the construction OF the canal, as
well as to demonstrate to South
America his purpose to observe the
pledge of non-territorial aggrandize-
ment Secretary Root made on his re
cent tour. The president is endca-
voring also TO ascertain the views OF
expert engineers not connected with
the government on work thus fa-
done in building the canal, 1t must
not be believed tnat Mr. Roswell Is
finding fault with the way in which
the canal is being built,
The decision not to name a success
scr TO Charles Magoon as governor
Of the canal zone is due TO the presi
dents belief that all important admin
istrative questions requiring tie me
of one man had been settled and that
In the interests of a simplliel az
minstration IL IS adv sable to place
the government in the hands OF he
chief engineer. 1t was pointed Out
that the United States Is not trying
TO establish a colony ON the istamus,
but Is endeavoring to construct a
canal Mr.. Stevens was engaged in
bu lding the main line of the Cana.
dian Pacific road many years ago
and he and his section foreman man
tanned u.Sclpune dAon5 employees
ernor.
1t has been finally decided that
the canal will be completed by CON
tract. In few days the commission
will make public statement sctt ng
forth its reasons for favorng the con.
tract system and at that time form
eli contract will also probably be pub
lished showing exactly the sort of
document believed by tne commits.
sioners to be necessary for safeguard. !
ing the work
President Roosevelt is known to !
support the commission in its posi-
ton that the work can be done more
by contractors than by
The government. He llad a long
conference with Chairman Shonts |
Monday on the subject and the va.
rious arguments in favor OF the con.
.ract system we're discussed fully.
This change in building the cana.
will in no way effect the employment
If Chinese labor. Proposals for fur.
fishing the Chinese labor were made
nder such conditions that they can
e transferred to contractors and the
erms can be fulfilled in such a man
er that the government can give the
oolie5 just as muca protection as it
Guild if the government were the di-
ect employer.
1t is likely that no disposition will
Q made of the bids for supplying
hinese labor until alter the return
I Secretary Taft from Cuba as ne as.
sted in drawing the specification;
ndsr which proposals were offered
nd is much interested in the con
tions under which the Chinese are
} be taken to the lst:Imus.
President Roosevelt still intends to
sit the is.hmus this fall and unless
era be some change for the worse '
the Cuban situation will probably I
ave for Colon a short time after
e election. {