The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-12-22


should aroure every species OF hos
tility and criticism. The conditions
are so new and SO trying. and the
work SO vast, that II would be abso-
lutely out OF the question that mis-
takes should not be made. Checks
will occur. Unforeseen difficulties will
arise. From time TO time seemingly
well.settled plans will have 10 be
changed Az present $4,000 men are
engaged on. the task. After a while
the number will be doubled. In such
A multitude IL is inevitable that there
should be here and there scoundrel.
Very many OF the poorer class OF Ia.
borers lack the mental development TO
protect themselves against either the
rasoality OF others or their own folly,
and II is not possible for human wis.
dom to devise plan by which they
can invariably be protected. In
place which has been for ages by
word for unhealthfulness. and with 30
large a congregation OF strangers sud.
denly put down and set TO hard work
there Will now and then be outbreaks
OF disease. There will now and then
be shortcomings I'm administration
there will be unlooked-for accidents
to delay the excavation of the cut or
the buildingi Of the dams and locks.
Each such incident will be entirely
natural, and even though serious no
one OF them will mean more than a
little extra delay or trouble. Yet
each, when discovered by sensation
mongers and retailed to timid folk OF
little faith. will serve as an excuse for
the belief that the whole work is be-
ing badly managed. Doubtless here
and there some minor rascality will
be uncovered but as to this. have
TO say that after tho most painstaking
inquiry | have been unable to ind a
single reputable person who had 80
much as heard OF any serious aeouna-
lions affecting the honesty Of the COM
mission or Of any responsible officer
under It. II In not too much ~ say
that the whole atmosphere OF the
commission breathes honesty as II
breathes efficiency and energy. Above
all. the work has been kept absolutely
clear OF politics. I have never heard
even a suggestion OF spells politics In
connection with II.
so much for honest criticism.
There remains an immense amount OF
as reckless Islander az has ever been
published. Where the slanderers are
OF foreign origin / have no concern
with them Where they are Ameri.
cans feel for them tho hesrtiest con-
tempt 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 nauHht the ef-
forts OF their oountrymen TO put TO
the credit OF America one OF the giant
feats OF the ages. The outrageous ac-
cusations OF these slanderers eonsti-
tute gross libel upon a body OF pub
lie servants who. for trained intelli.
gence. expert ability, high character
and devotion TO duty have never been
excelled anywhere. There Is not
man among those directing the work
position on any other basis than merit
alone, and not one who has used his
position In any way for his own per-
sonal or pecuniary advantage.
After most careful consideration we
have decided 10 let out most OF the
work by contract, n we can come TO
satisfactory terms with the contract.
III. al
suited to the peculiar genius OF our
people; and our people have developed
the type OF contractor best fitted TO
grapple with Il. The plan as promul-
gated is tentative: doubtless Il Will
have 20 be changed In some respects
before we can como 60 n satisfactory
agreement with responsible contracts
ors-perhaps even after the bids have
been received: and OF course Il is pos
sible that we cannot come TO an agree.
ment, in which case the government
will do the work itself Meanwhile
tho work on tho isthmus Is progress
ing steadily and without any let-up.
Confident OF Ultimate Success.
or the success or the enterprise ]
am as well convinced as one can be
Of any enterprise that Is human II
Is a stupendous work upon which our
fellow-countrymen are engaged down
there on the isthmus. and While we
should hold them to a strict acoountse
bility for the way in which they per
form II, we should yet recognize. with
frank generosity. the epic nature OF
the task ON which they are engaged
and fits worldwide importance. They
are doing something which will re-
dound immeasurably 10 the credit Of
America, which will benefit all the
world, and which will last for ages 20
come. Under Mr.. shonts and Mr..
Stevens and DIR. Gorgas this work has
started with every omen of good for
tune. They and their worthy assc-
ciates. from the highest 20 the lowest,
are entitled to the same credit that
we would give to the picked men OF