Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13
.OL|vER SAYS HE
HAS MADE GOOD
SUBMITTED BID AS REQUIRED BY
THE PRESIDENT.
WOULD HURRY THE WORK
Responsibility of Stockholders Will
be Closely Investisated-No In
easiness Regarding Labor or sani-
tary Conditions at the Isthmus-
High Compliments for Gorgas.

Washington, Feb. by noon to-
day William J. Oliver, Jr, of Knox
vile, Tenn. who was the lowest bid
der under the proposal for digging
the Panama canal by contract and
who has formed a company of con-
tractors known as the Panama Con
struction company will know when
he may expect a final decision. Ac-
companied by his counsel, Judge
Morgan F. o'Brien of New York, Mr..
Oliver called yesterday after
noon at the offices of the
canal commission and submitted
his bid in accordance with
the requirements of the president
after having been given 10 days time
in which to do So In the absence of
Chairman Shonts, the documents were
delivered to Richard r. Rogers, gen
eral counsel of the commission, who
perused them carefully in the pres
ence of Oliver and O'Brien and found
them in correct form, except as to
one or two minor details.
A number of papers were submit
ted including not only a list of those
whom Oliver proposes to associate
with him in the actual work of CON
struction, but als) the names of the
stockholders and the amounts sub
scribed by each.
Taft Has Charge.
1t was ascertained that the orig
inal figure by Oliver, 6.75 per cent, of
the estimated cost of construction,
was adhered to in the papers filed yes.
terday. Last evening Secretary Taft
and Messrs. Oliver, O'Bren and Rog-
ers, held short conference, at the
conclusion of which Secretary Taft
said he would tonight receive the re-
port from Mr. Rogers on the papers
filed, and that he today would take
the whole matter up with the presi-
dent and make the announcement as
stated.
Secretary Taft saiG he did not wish
1t to be understood that at noon to-
day Oliver would get his final answer,
but that he would know at that time
when he may expect it.
at the war department it was
stated that the closest investigation
would be made regarding the stock.
holders, and in fact regarding every
body interested in the company.
Incorporators are one thing" said
one of the officials. 'and stockholders
are another. The question OF skill.
experience and the financial interest
and responsibility of those with whom
Oliver has associated himself with
viii be gone into"
After his interview with Secretary
Taft, Mr.. Oliver declared he had got
ten together a combination of the
greatest contractors in the world
While | am not inclined to discuss
the matter" he said, ''inasmuch as It
is now before the secretary of war.
yet feel that rave dissappoir M
some people who thought | could NOT
make good"
Would Hurry Work.
Asked as to how soon he would be
able to begin operations in the event
ne was awarded the contract, Oliver
said he could not say but that he
would act with all facility.
Regarding the question of labor he
feit no uneasiness, he said. 1--WE viii
be able to get all the men We want
The sanitary conditions on the 18th
mus are well nigh perfect and labor.
ers VIII not hesitate to go there on
that account" Incidentally, Oliver
paid high compliment to Colonel
Gorgas, q. s. A, chief sanitary officer
Of the canal zone, for the work don.
by him in Kidding the isthmus of all
infectious diseases and placing il in
a thorough sanitary condition.
Makes Names Public.
-eichard r. Rogers, general coun-
sci for the isthmian canal commits
sion, last night made public the
names Of those constituting the board
of directors and list of stockholders
Of the Panama Construction com
pany. Included in the directors is
Patrick J. Walsh of Davenport, Iowa.
Each of the directors subscribed
for so shares and paid in $4,000 when
the company was Incorporated in AL
bany. The articles OF incorporation
call for $4,000 shares of stock at the
par value of 800 each. AS required
by the government 100000 of this
amount will be represented by a
bond which the successful bidder ia
required TO give and the remaining
SO 900 is to be represented by &C
tual cash or securities. Of the s3,OO0-
900 cash capital. one half OF the
amount, $1,5O0.0OO, must be paid in
when the contract is signed, and the
second $15O0.0O0 must be payable on
demand
Five stockholders have already
subscribed s1,50O,o0O and the other
Sl,50000O have been subscribed pay
able on demand.
The corporations s2,000,0 900 bond
is given in several large security
IcOmpanies