The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-17
CANAL ZONE MADE HEALTHFUL;
WORK MAY BE DONE IN 8 YEARS

much better 10 do the work in large part
by contract than to do II all by the gov
ernment. provided IL Is possible on the
one hand 10 secure to the contractor
sufficient remuneration to make 1t worth
while for responsible contractors OF the
best kind 10 undertake the work: and
provided on the other hand II can be done
on terms which will not give an excessive
profit to the contractor at the expense Of
the government.
After much consideration the plan al
ready promulgated by the secretary OF
war was adopted. This plan I'm its essen
tial features was drafted, after careful
and thoro study and consideration, by the
chief engineer, Mr.. Stevens. who, while In
the employment OF Mr.. HILL the president
OF the Great Northern railroad. had per-
sonal experience OF this very type OF con-
tract. Mr.. Stevens then submitted the
plan to the chairman OF the commission.
Mr.. Shonts, who went carefully over II
with Mr.. Rogers. the legal adviser OF tho
commission, TO see that all legal Difficult
ties were met. He then submitted copies
OF the plan 10 both Secretary Taft and
myself. Secretary Taft submitted II TO
some OF the best counsel at lhe New York
bar, and afterwards l went over IL very
carefully with Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Shonts,
and we laid the plan In its general feat
ures before Mr.. Root My conclusion Is
that IL combines the maximum of advan-
tage with the minimum OF Disadvantage
Under IL premium will be put upon the
speedy and economical construction of the
canal, and a penalty imposed on delay
and waste. The plan as promulgated Is
tentative doubtless il will have to be
changed In some respects before we can
come 10 a satisfactory agreement with
responsible contractors-pArhaps even af-
ter the bids have been received: and OF
course II is possible that We can not come
m AAe L..
eminent VIII do the work itself Mean
while the work on the isthmus Is progress
ing steadily and without any lct-up.
A single Commissioner
A seven.heade6 commission is OF couse
clumsy executive instrument. We should
nave but one commissioner with such
heads or departments and other officers
under him as We may find necessary. We
should be expressly permitted to employ
the best engineers In the country as con-
sulting engineers.
I accompany this paper with n man
showing substantially what the canal will
be like when II Is finished. When the Gu
ZEBRA cut has been made and the dams
ouilt or they are built as at present pro-
posed) there will then be at both the Pa
clnc and Atlantic ends OF the canal two
great fresh-water lakes. connected by a
ravine, across the backbone OF the
western hemisphere Those best informed
believe that the work Will be completed
IN about eight years; but II is never safe
10 prophesy about such a work as this
especially in the tropics.
am informed that representatives OF
the commercial clubs OF four cites-Bos-
ton, Chicago. Cincinnati and ST. Louis
the membership OF which includes most
Of the leading business men OF those cit
les, expect 10 visit the sthmus for the
purpose OF examining the work OF con-
struction OF the canal. / am glad TO
hear 1t. and shall direct that every IA
ciiity be given them TO see all that is to
be seen In the work which the govern
like this would Indicate will have a good
enect upon the men who are doing the
work. on one hand. while on the other
hand IL will offer as witnesses OF the ex-
act conditions men whose experience as
business men and whose impartiality will
make the result or their observations of
value to the country as a whole.
CONFIDENT OF Success
or the success of the enterprise I am
as well convinced as one can be OF any
enterprise that is human II is a stupen-
dous work upon which our fellow coun-
trymen are engaged down there on the
TO strict accountability for the way
In which they perform IL, we should yet
recognize, with frank generosity, the epic
nature OF the task on which they are en-
They are doing something which will re-
dound immeasurably TO the credit of
America, winch VIII benent all the world,
and which will last for ages TO come.
Under Mr.. Shonts and Mr.. Stevens and
DR.. Gorgas this work has started with
every omen Of good fortune. They and
their worthy associates from the highest
TO the lowest, are entitled TO the same
credit that we would give to the picked
men OF victorious army: for this con-
quest OF peace will, in It's great and far
reaching effect stand as among the very
greatest conquests, whether OF peace or
OF war, which have ever been won by any
OF the peoples OF mankind badge IL
tn be given TO every American citizen who
for a specified time has taken part I'm this
work: for participation I'm ~ will here
after be held to reflect honor upon the
man participating just as II reflects honor
upon a soldier to have belonged 10
mighty army in great war for right
eousness.
Our fellow -countrymen on the isthmus
are working for our interest and for the
national renown In the me spirit and
with the same efficiency tnat the men OF
tho army and navy work in time OF war.
II behooves us in our turn 10 do all we
can TO hold UP their hands and TO aid
them In every way to bring their great
work TO a triumphant conclusion.
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