The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-04-23
Tells Of Panama, Cuba and
Porto Rico
CANAL REPORT IS COMING
At the Request of Colonel Goethals
the War Secretary Asks Him to
Answer Questions About
Constructing Dams.

Washington. April 22.-secretary Taft
and party arrived at the Washington
navy yard on board the Mayhower to-
night after an absence OF exactly a
month, on trip that included Panama.
Cuba and Porto Rico. The secretary and
Mrs. Taft were Immediately driven to
their residence. Former Governor Beck
man Winthrop and Mrs. Winthrop wers
guests of the secretary on the return
trip. The others in the party included
Representatives Burton of Ohio and De-
Almond of Missouri, Senator Kittredge
of South Dakota and Miss Margaret Ide.
Secretary Tafts statement fellows
1--WE reached Colon on Saturday, March
so. We spent Saturday, Sunday, Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday on the isthmus.
The test pits had been sunk on the pro-
posed sites of the locks and the en-
gineers, Messrs. Coble Stearns and Free
man, made their examination They in
formally reported to me that the foun-
dations were entirely satisfactory but
they expect to make formal written re-
port l Also at the request of Colonel
Goethals, requested them to answer cer-
tain technical questions as to the best
means of constructing the dams, both at
Gatun and Sosa.
Heard Complaints.
II held a long conference with the Pan
anna authorities in the presence of Sena-
tor Kittredge of the canal committee OF
the senate and Minister Squiers, in re-
spect to number of matters which need
ed adjustment between the gone authori-
ties and the Panama government, and we
tentatively reached satisfactory ar
rangement which will be formulated in
subsequent correspondence.
II also heard certain complaints con-
cerning the dealing of the Panama rail-
road with its lots in Colon. and took the
matter under consideration awaiting q
fuller statement of the details to be made
by the lot holders.
II also heard the applications of the
steamship shovelmen and the construc-
tion train conductors, with reference to
their terms of employment, including
wages. ! have forwarded a report on this
matter to the President. What has hap
pened in respect to this I do not know.
We were very busy during the five days
spent in Panama.
Il left the engineers and Mr. Rogers.
general counsel of the isthmian canal
commission. on the isthmus, the engineers
for the purpose of making further re-
] referred to them, and Mr.. Rogers for
the purpose of pushing some condemna-
tion litigation to acquire title to land
which is now in the progress of work,
becomes necessary for us to take over.
II found Mr. Stevens on the isthmus
and also Col Goethals Majors Hilbert
and Gaillard and Admiral Rosseau. Mr.
Stevens is very much out of health and
needs a long rest. He has brought to
an efficient state a great organization
which is doing the work and making the
dirt fly And he has done his utmost TO
transfer this organization in its efficient
condition to the control Of Colonel Goe-
thas and his assistants
1--WE left Colon on Wednesday, April
and reached Havana on Sunday, April
Z. spent Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday in Havana comforting with
Governor Magoon, Colonel Crowder, Con-
sui General Steinhart and others and also
with the representatives of the various
political organizations and business peo-
pie of Havana
Satisfactory in Havana.
Il found matters in what under the
circumstances, must be considered a very
satisfactory condition, and this is large
~ due to the hard work and political
capacity and level-headedness of Governor
Magoon The result was in effect one upon
which substantially parties in interest
agreed. There are certain questions that
were submitted by Governor Magoon and
discussed which await decision by the
President or by the department after my
return.
both reported that order is excellent IN
the island. and while there is good deal
of suppressed political feeling and excite
ment ] think there Is every ground for
hope that the plan adopted of taking
census and holding a primary election and
- -I1 nax he la
will result in the selections of president
and congress who will be able to main
tain themselves and give a stable rule TO
the island.
THE delay in taking a census and hold
ing a primary election are taken by the
people of the island not as an indiea-
tion that the government of America
wishes to remain permanently, but on the
contrary as an earnest desire to secure
stable government before It leaves, so
there shall bo no excuse for a second
Intervention with ali the consequences
that might be likely to follow from such
an Intervention. Cuba will have the
largest sugar crop in her history, ara
the tobacco crop is one of the best she
has ever had. There has been long
drouth and that, taken with the disturb
ance OF the resurrection. has interferred
somewhat with the sugar planting, but
all are quite hopeful that this defect soon
will be repaired
Prosperity In Porto Rico.
1--WE left Havana midnight of WeGnes-
day, April 10, and reached Porto Rico on
Sunday April IA. We spent four days in
the island and had there TO consider at
the instance Of Bishop Jones OF sseito
Rico some questions which are st;ll
pending of prop --ty between the govern
rnent and the chuIch. and also soals mill
tary questions as to the abandonment OF
N ba in ha
Abandonment to the civil government OF
some property in San Juan, now used as
a hospital for the army.
1--WE crossed the island to Ponce by one
road and returned by another. We at
tended the Inauguration of Governor Post
and then brought away with us Governor
and Mrs. Winthrop and Mrs Taft and
Miss Ide, who were visiting them at the
time.
ION every side we found evidence of the
most encouraging prosperity, and also .hc
strongest indication of the love and re-