The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-11
After an executive session the Senate
adjourned until tomorrow.
--------------------
WAR SECRETARY
DENIES CHARGES
General Fefutation of All Of Big
lows Charges of Canal Mis-
management.
(By Associated press.l

(By Associated PressD
WASHINGTON, u. c., January f0.--An
elaborate and comprehensive answer to
the charges against the Isthman Canal
Commission contained in an article In
"The Independent" has been made Ivy
Secretary Taft. 1t Ia in the form of
letter to the president, who, on jan
uary 9Th, In a communication to the
secretary; said his attention had been
directed to an article purporting to have
been written by Poultney Bgeiow, "at-
lacking the administration OF affairs by
the Canal Commission and yourself on
the isthmus," and adding, will you
please advise me what basis II any, there
Is for these charges"
In his reply Secretary Taft first briefly
summarizes the charges, as follows
Alleging that the conditions in Colon
are SO unsantary as to create great ne
elect In providing for the health of the
employees OF tho commissions; alleged mis-
treatment OF negro laborers; that per-
sons appointed to the isthmus are incom-
petent and have been given their places
through political influence and official
incompetency or misconduct. the latter
involving tho charge that there is so
much "red tape" necessary to bring about
the construction of buildings that great
misery has come to the laborers on the
isthmus.
Discussing conditions at Colon, the Sec
rotary says, owing to higher death rate
at Panama the commission felt Justified
in establishing water and sewer system
in Panama first. He denies that q large
number of canal employees live In Colon
and says provision has been made for
an ample water supply
Labor Eighty Gents Day.
Secretary Taft declares the rate OF
wages is we'll advertised throughout the
West indies at 10 cents gold an hour .or
a day of eight hours, which may be in
creased by diligent work to 10 cents an
hour 1t Ia also untrue, he says, tnat
a great prejudice exists against negroes
IN the railroad management. The Secre-
tary saws 1t Is charged that the chair
man OF the commission and all others
wrongly look upon the tropical negro
laborer as poor labor. The conclusion OF
Mr.. STEPHENS and of every observer on the
isthmus, he declares, is TO the ellece .tat
this labor is Inefficient Regarding the
abatement that the negroes age leaving
the isthmus in portentious nui'sAeFs pe
cause of mistreatment, Mr. stevens testi-
fies. the Secretary says. that just before
the holidays great NUMBER ol iaoo 10
returned to the Islands whence they
came. 49,
This. the secretary says. has been the
custom ever since the beginning OF the
French construction. Many OF the IA
borers leave their families. and because
Transportation is cheap, are abe 10. go
back and then return. The secretary
shows there are now on the pay roll
1000 laborers.
No Political Influence.
As 70 tho charge that officials on the
Isth,nus were appointed through congress
sionai or political influence, the secretary
SAYS the chief engineer categorically De
mics this. land l am able from stand
point of Washington also categoricaliy to
deny IT." He says political influence mas
played no part whatever In the selection
OF appontees.
Secretary Taft declares that the charge
of DELAY by red tape" In the construc-
tion of buildings on the Isthmes IS shown
to be untrue by the statement OF the chiei
engineer.
Secretary Taft says the charge that
quarantine officials construy the law and
enforce 1t as far as possible to Interfere
with commerce. Is utterly unfounded.
Secretary Taft repeats his former state
ment that the charge that boatload OF
black women were imported from Mar
Unique for immoral purposes is false.
Quick Conclusion.
Secretary Taft states that the writer
OF the article containing the charges ar
rived at Panama November soth and left
December 1st, and that cit is not unfair
TO say that his opportunitiesT Tor observ-
ing were limited to twenty-eight hours,
including daytime and night"
In view oft his statement the Score
tary says the writer should not take
exception to the seven or eight days
which twelve of the most distinguished
engineers in the world in canal construc-
ton devoted to the same task.
Secretary Taft describes the witnesses
referred to In the article as having ami
mus against the government. They are
identified as Tracy Robinson and John
Lundie. Robinson failed to ge:. 5000
place with the commission, and Lundie
was an applicant for membership on the
advisory board OF engineers. but his appli-
cation was rejected. The private interests
of both men. according to Secretary Taft.
had come in conflict with the canal gov
eminent In various ways.