Evening star., 1907-06-29
TAFT CORRECTS STATEMENTS
REoRGANIzING CLERICAL FORCE
OF PANAMA CANAL COMMISSION.
Contemplates Concentration of Much
of Its Work on the Isthmus-Re-
ports of Dissatisfaction Denied.

Secretary Taft's plan of reorganiZng the
clerical force of the Panama canal COM
mission contemplates the concentration of
much of the work the isthmus, as the
greater amount of the money is expended
there. The office of purchasing agent will
remain in Washington under the direction
OF Maj. II. F. Hodges of the corps of engi-
neers. who, with the large number of men
in this corps OF the army, will be able TO
handle the purchase of supplies readily
and without great cost to the government.
There will be a chief disbursng officer on
the isthmus. and deputy disbursing officer
in Washington whose work will be that
of examining such accounts originate
in the United States. There will be a
chief auditor on the isthmus and a deputy
auditor in Washington. This scheme will
prevent the duplication and triplicatlon
of many accounts and papers. Its pracu-
cal effect will be to reduce materially the
number of clerical employees at the isthman
canal commissions office here. The pro-
posed changes have been submitted to Col.
Goethals, and when approved by him will
be made public.
Work Progressing Finely.
Discussing canal affairs, Secretary Taft
said last night:
The work there appears to be progress
ing finely. 1t is true that in a recent
month the excavations made under Col
Goethals were 10000 yards less than under
his predecessor. but that was due to a
strike and to other causes beyond his con-
troll. Col. Goethals Will have all the help
In the way of army officers he may need
with a view TO the thoroughness of the
work he has in hand. His assistants l am
leaving to his own selection, nominating
those whom | think will be able assistants
and leaving II to him to confirm them
.l,x u
general disbursing agent?' was asked the
Secretary.
Mr. Ross resignation was not asked
for the Secretary replied. His work
has been in every way satisfactory, and
he was one of the most efficient officers We
ever had. Because of his private business
Mr. Ross wanted to leave the commission
on the list of June. but l persuaded him to
stay at least until the 18th of July"
Engineer Ripley's Resignation.
Secretary Taft declared that the resigna-
tion of Engineer Ripley was voluntary
He and Col. Goethals did not agree as to
the character of some works under way
on the isthmus and Mr.. Ripley retired
said the Secretary. He has been engaged
In the designing of some locks. Nor has
General Manager Bierd of the Panama rail-
road resigned, as has been reported. Mr..
Blerd Is one of the most useful men We
have on the isthmus, being at the head of
all the transportation work"
Secretary Taft said the retirement of
Auditor Benson was entirely voluntary and
that a civilian will be appointed in his
place.
IF Jackson Smith, the commissioner who
has charge of all the labor on the isthmus
has resigned" continued the Secretary Il
don't know It. There is no truth so far
as ! know in the reports of his resignation,
and think l would know It,"
'As to Mr.. Bishop, the secretary of the
commission, who is now on duty at Wash
lngton. / am not prepared to say what his
future assignments will be- said Secretary
Taft. That will be determined next week"
Secretary Taft said that none of the three
army officers, Lieut.. Col. Goethals and
Majs. Gaillard and Sibert, had recently ap-
piled for leave of absence. When he was
on the lsthnus some time ago, the Secre-
tary explained. Col. Goethals had spoken to
him about his leave Of absence. but there
has been no recent communication on the
subject.
Leaves of Army Officers.
The President promised the army officers
when they took up THEN work on the 18TH
mus" said Secretary Taft that they
should have ample leave of absence. no
less than four months, in fact every year,
SO arranging their affairs that one might
readily take up the work when another
was absent. i don't know where all these
rumors come FROM added Secretary Taft
In closing this branch of the conversation.
iHey nave gathered lot or CirCum-
stances, having no connection with each
other, and have put the whole thing to-
gether as an evidence that dissatisfaction
exists reiterate tnat the statements are
not true
From Secretary Taft's statements it is
evident that the whole or a portion of the
work on the canal may yet be given out
for construction under private contract
This question was considered very fully by
the President and the Secretary last winter
but II was decided at that time not to ac-
cept any of the bids which had been sub
mltted for doing the work in that way
Col. Goethals is under instructions from
the department to submit his views on
this subject with a view to their presenta-
ton at the coming session of Congress
His recommendation and views are to
cover the question whether it is expedient
or advisable to undertake the construction
OF the whole or any part of the work by
contract. Secretary Taft said that the meth
cd now In vogue of settling labor disputes
on the isthmus, which contemplates the ref
erence of these matters to certain persons,
had worked very satisfactorily.