The Washington herald., 1907-01-31

In a statement made at the White
House last evening, IL is said emphati-
cally that no decision has been reached
that William j. Oliver is 90 be given the
contract for the construction Of the 18th
mian Canal Earlier in the day the same
announcement was made, although not
in as formal way as by the written
statement furnished this evening by Sec
retary Loeb.
Not only does the announcement de-
clare that Mr.. Oliver has not been award
ed the contract. even Professionally, but
il opens the possibility Of the work go
ing TO the MeArthur-Gillespie combina-
tion. which submitted the only bid other
than that Of Mr.. Oliver to receive seri-
Gus consideration.
For several days there have been symp-
toms Of a desire on the part of the
President 10 have the government do the
work. and Il is believed that this will
very likely be done The statement Of
last evening indicates that it is possible.
Mr.. Oliver and his associates are sur
prised over the attitude taken by the ad-
ministratiou. They refuse 20 talk openly
about the matter. but il is known that
since last Sunday. when an announcement
was made that Mr.. Oliver would be given
an opportunity to get the contract, they
have thought that all thet stood between
them and the contract was the forming
of an association of contractors which
would meet the requirements of the gov
ernment. Most people considered that
the whole matter was closed. for Mr.
Oliver said that be could get associates
who would be satisfactory TO the gov
crument. and that he would meet every
requirement made by the Canal C0mmis-
sioa.
No Assurances Given.
From the White House it is declared
that no assurances "0f any form. shape.
or manner had been made To Mr.. Oliver
that he would get the contract Instead.
il is declared. ar. Oliver was told that
he must within ten days. associate with
him ar least two partners. and that then
his bid would be given consideration The
statement from the White House follows.
Reports in the papers seem TO indicate
a belief that the canal contract has been
.conditionally awarded to Mr.. Oliver This
is not So No decision has been made
even that the contract viii be- awarded
90 any OF the bidders Mr. divers bid
was 50 hOpeiessly defective that il could
not be even considered. and time was
given him 20 complete 81 in shape that VIII
enable it 90 receive consideration. If il is
put into such shape Il viii be considered,
together with the bid already made by
3. .frrsrr -
which may itself be altered. and then
whichever bid. after the most careful ex-
animation. seems most advantageous may
he taken. or both bids rejected and the
canal be constructed under the direct su-
pervisiou of the government
would Merely BE Agents.
I'm such a case the government would
wherever il chose. use contractors simply
as agents. The real object IN contract
ing the work is 10 have assembled a
large number Of the best specialists iT
each class Of work. and the prime con
sideration viii be the ability and fitness
shown I'm a variety Of directions by the
man making the bid. The President and
the commission would not even consider
a bid Of merely one or two mcn Tie
work is already going we'll over halt 2
million cubic yards were taken out of the
Culsbra cut iR January. and the amount
being taken out is steadily increasing
Air. Oliver since informed that his first
partner. Arson N. Bangs, was not accept
able 20 the government, has been nogo-
tiating with other contractors, and has
about completed his combination His
efforts in this direction viii not be re-
tarded by the statements made from the
/ White House, but he viii go ahead and
perfect his organization. and will ther
ask that his bid be accepted.