Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-30
GOTCANALCONTRACT
VIM. D. OLIVER CAPTURED Big
PANAMA Prize.
He, With A. M. Bangs, Was the Low
est 6idder-"Show Me" Policy Is
Aoopted-It is Said There Is No
Doubt Mr.. Oliver Will Fulfill Re-
quirements.

Quirements.
Washington, Jan. 2s.-Following a
conference at the White House yes
terday, it is announced that the con-
tract for building the Panama ca
nal would be awarded to William D.
Oliver, who. with Arson M. Bangs, was
the lowest bidder in the recent COM
petition, provided that within the next
ten days he and his associates, with
at least two Independent contractors
whose skill and experience are known.
shall demonstrate they can cover the
entire field of the work to be per-
formed under the contract.
The official announcement confirms
the recent statement of the Associated
Iress. President Roosevelt then
took the position that since Mr..
Oliver had met all the requirements
of the government it would be unjust
to reject his bid of 6.75 per cent of
the cost of the construction of the
init new bid for the contract. Mr..
oliver had informed the president that
it was his desire to submit an indie
pendent bid for the work and that
when the canal commission officials
informed him that it would be neces-
sary to form a partnership with some
other financially responsible contract
or, they went SO far as to suggest that
he enter into an agreement with An
son M. Bangs Of New York city. Mr..
Oliver said that after receiving this
suggestion from Chairman Shonts he
visited the war department and was
informed that Mr.. Bangs would be en-
tirely satisfactory to the government.
Mr.. Oliver told the president that with
this assurance as to the reliability of
Mr.. Bangs, he Immediately entered
into an agreement with the New York
contractor.
Powerful Influence at Work.
Powerful Influences were brought to
bear OIL tht president and Secretary
Taft to reject all bids and advertise
for new proposals, but the president
insisted that Mr.. Oliver should be
make a satisfactory arrangement to
substitute some other contractors or
group of contractors to take the place
of Mr.. Bangs. At the White House
conference held recently, the
friends of the Macarthur Gillespie syn
dictate argued that the contract figure
should be increased to per cent of the
totaI oO,t nf concentration opd tbot tho
contract be awarded to Oliver, Nc
Arthur and Gillespie.
This suggestion, however, did not
meet with the approval of the New
York firm, who insisted that they
could not undertake the work for less
than 1880 per cent of the total cost,
the figure mentioned in their original
bid. The president, Secretary Taft
and the canal commission officials
then decided to award the contract to
Mr.. Oliver, provided he could make
satisfactory arrangement with at least
two other financially responsible con-
tractors.
Secretary Taft and R. r. Rogers,
general counsel to tho canal commits
sion, were in conference with the
president for two hours, and the whole
matter was again gone over. At the
direction of the president Mr.. Rogers
prepared the official statement for the
press.
Say oliver viii Fulfill Contract.
When informed Of the statement Is
sued by direction of the president, Mr..
divers representative said: There
is absolutely no doubt about
Mr.. Oliver being able to fulfill the re-
quirements of the canal commission.
There are now at least 20 Of the most
responsible contractors in the United
States who have expressed a willing
ness to Join Mr.. Oliver in the work of
constructing the canal at the figure
mentioned in his original bids. These
names have been submitted to Presi-
dent Roosevelt. Before entering into
another arrangement, Mr.. oliver
wants 10 know positively that the
contractor he chooses will be accept
able to the government"