Bisbee daily review., 1906-12-18

 curves. But the recent cars hold from 25 to 30 yards apiece, and in stead of the old clumsy methods of unloading them, steam blow s'drawn from end to end of the whole vesti- buled train, thus immensely economic ing labor. In the rainy season the steam shovels can do but little in dirt. but they work steadily in rock and in the harder ground. There were some 25 a work during the time I was on th eIsthmus. and their tre- mendous power and efficiency were most impressive
 sIanderers and Libeiers.
 have investigated every com complaint brought to me for which there seemed to be any shadow of In two or three eases. all of which I have indicated in the course of this message. l came to the conclusion that there was foundation for the complaint. and that the meth oas 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 10 mistakes which the com mission had already itself found out and corrected.
 So much for honest criticism. There remains an immense amount or as reckless islander as has ever been published. Where the slanderers are of foreign origin l have no concern with them. Where they are Ameri- cans, feel for them the heartiest contempt and Indignation: because, In A sairit of wanton dishonesty and ma lice. they are trying 10 interfere with, and hamper the execution of, the greatest work of the kind ever at tempted. and are seeking 10 bring 10 naught the efforts of their country men to put to the credit of America enc of the giant feats of the ages. The outrageous accusations of these slan5erers constitute a gros libel upon 2 hody of public servants who for trained intelligence, expert ability. high character and devotion to duty, have never been excelled anywhere There is not a man among those di- recting the work on the lsthmus who has obtained his position on any other hasis than rierit alone, and not one who has used his position in any way fer his own personal or pecuniary ad- vantage.
 Plan to Build By Contract. After most careful consideration we have decided to let out most of the work by contract. if we can come to satisfactory terms with the contract nrs. The whole work is of a kind
 suited to the peculiar genius of our people: and our people have developed ithe type of contractor best fitted to graople with it. It IS of couse much better 10 do the work in large part by contract than to do 1t all by the gov ernment. provided IL is possible on tre other hand to secure to the con tractor a sufficient remuneration to make t worth while for responsible contractors of the best kind to under take the work; and provided on the ether hand it can be done on terms which win not give an excessive profit to the contractor at the expense Of the government
 A Single Commissioner Desired. A seven-headed commission Is Of course q clumsy executive instrument. We shoald have but one commission l CT. with such heads of departments and other officers under him as we may fine necessary.
 ConTQCnI or OtlffIldtC SbC1cSS. II Is A stupendous work upon which our fellow-countrynsen are engaged down there on the Isthmus, and while we should hold them to strict ac- l couptabiIity for the way Tn which they perform it, we should yet recognize, with frank generosity, the epic nature of the task on which they are engaged an dits worldwide importance. They ! lint prh siound lmmeasurably to the credit of America. which win benefit all the
 world and which will last for ages 10 come. Under Mir Shonts and MT Stevens and Doctor Gorgas this work ihas started with every omen of good fortune. They and their worthy as sociates. from the highest to the low est. are entitled to the same credit i that we woulo give 10 the picked men of victorious army, for this conquest | Of peace will. in it's great and Tar reaching effect. stand as among the very greatest conquests, whether ol peace or of war. which have ever been i, won by any of he peoples of mankind A badge is to be given to every American citizen who for specified itime has taken part in this work; Tor participation in it will hereafter be held to reflect honor upon the man participating just as it reflects honor
 upon a soldier to have belonged to 2
 mighty army in great war tor right
 eousness. Our fellow-countrymen or
 the Isthmus are working for our in teresf and for the national renown 1T
 the same spirit and with the same ef | ficiency that the men of the army and navy work in time of war 1t be
 hooyes us in our turn to do all We
 can to hold up their hands and to aie them in every way to bring their grea' work to a triumphant conclusion
 THEODORE ROOSEVELT
 The White House,