Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-21

and ten minutes on the isthmus The ten
minutes are important. for person OF such
extraordinary powers OF observation and
Of material in that time. He landed al
Colon on November 30 at 10 a. m. and
sailed away on the same steamer from
those tventy-eight hours and ten minutes
he accomplished a fund of exact knowl-
edge suficient 20 enable him 70 draw a
general and sweeping Indictment Of the
president, Secretary Taft. the canal COM
mission. Governor Msgoon, Chief Engineer
Stevens. Colonel Gorgas and everything
that has been done on the isthmus since
the American government came into pos
session Of the canal zone.
snnihilated by Secretary Taft and Mr..
Stevens. and l shall waste no time with
him. One point only will i mention as an
illustration of his miraculous powers OF
observation. He said that during a recent
rain the volume of water was so great in
the sewers of Panama that II backed, the
sewage up into cellars and ruined many
houses" There Is not a cellar in Panama
and never has been.
Speaking for tine members OF the commits
sion as well as for myself. ] wish to say
with all possible emphasis that We not only
II as right. II we are doing our work
honestly and efficiently. our hands should
be upheld: II IL is shown that we are doing
Il inef1ciensly. we should be removed: and
n we are doing 1t dishonesty. we should be
exposed, convicted and sent to prison.
Neither knaves nor incompetents should be
magnitude, But while we court the fullest
investigation. we earnestly ask that il be
absolutely nonpartisan; that IL be made by
persons of character and standing. either in
public or private life. whose recognized in
telligence and fair-mindedness are such as
be made upon the ground.
We ask further that the investigation be
made promptly and ended as soon as II can
be and have its work done thoroughly. This
Is absolutely necessary II we are to main
tain any degree OF efficiency in the organi-
zation: The feeling Of uncertainty and un-
commission and its work creates is destruc-
tive OF that interest in the work which is
essential IL the best results are to be Sc
cured. II Is impossible to retain good men
In the service under such conditions
Protest I'm Name of Fair Play.
We protest in the name OF American fair
play against the dissemination in the United
States OF libels and ISLANDERS upon the eff
cheney and character of faithful workers
on the isthmus, who, by reason OF their alb
fend themselves from such assaults. Many
OF them went to the isthmus before IL was
made a healthful place in which TO work,
as the soldiers faces IL from the bullet on
the field of battle. They saw many of their
selves either escaped It entirely or recov-
cred from its attack. more loyal, faith
full. efficient body Of men than these ser
wants of the United States on the isthmus
Is not to be found anywhere on earth. Their
devotion TO the interests Of their country
entities them TO the gratitude OF their rel
low citizens, and should protect them from
/ the cowardy attacks OF that most despic-
able Of all assailants, the man who slabs In
/ the back.
Gentlemen, believe in the canal; besieve
that II can be built in a reasonable time and
believe that when, through American gen.
crosby and under American control. II shall
be thrown open to the commerce of the
world IL will be hailed and will prove to be
priceless boon to all mankind. II will
! justify the faith of the American people in
I its wisdom and worldwide benefcence. and
| Will Justify also the expenditure OF millions
! Of American money for its construction
I When II shall be opened for traffic the posi-
/ ton OF this nation in relation to the trade
| and commerce of the world Will be a most
/ favorable one.
| We shall have a virtually continuou,
| coast line from the northeastern extremity
! Alaska, open alike to the ships of the At
! lantic and the Pacific. and giving to both
4 the opportunity 10 trade directly with each
| other. San Francisco will be within four
teen days of New York by steamers making
sixteen knots an hour instead Of sixty days
and within twenty-one days OF any English
port, instead OF eighty-five.
! The west coast Of South America will be
5000 miles nearer to our ports than to those
, of Europe, opening to our products an en-.
tirely new field of commerce which has in Il
great possibilities. These are the broad
general facts in the case, and / need moi
explain to you that they have in them op-
portunities that are of incalculable value
They open to the United States new mar
for that enlargement of foreign trade which
our rapidly growing production is demand
ing year by year.