The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-07-04
NO CHANGES IS
CONTEMPLATED
IN MANAGEMENT OF ISTHMIAN
CANAL AFFAIRS.
CURRENT REPORTS FALSE
No designations Have Been Received
Nor Has Any Leave Of Absence
Been Granted Any Directors BY the
Commission.

faction on the part of the administra-
ton Of the management Of affairs
under the isthmian canal commits
sion and of the intention of the off
GERS engaged in that work to relin-
quish it and return 10 the United
States were declared by Secretary
Taft, to be "tissue Of falsehoods. !"
The secretary denied that he had a
single communication from Lieut. Col.
Goethchals, showing in any way that
he was dissatisfied or desired to end
his connection with the work.
"No immediate change is contem-
plated in the administration of af-
fairs on the isthmus," said the sec
rotary, "and there has not been a
single kick of any sort. There is no
truth in the stories of the army Off
GERS asking for leaves Of absence to
return to the United States"
Continuing the secretary said: 'The
work there appears to be progressing
finely. 1t is true that in a recen!
month, the excavations made under
Colonel Goethcals were $4,000 cubic
yards less than under his predecessor,
but this was due to a strike and 10
other causes beyond his control Col
Goetchals will have all the help in tue
way of army officers he may need
with view to the thoroughness OF
the work he has in hand"
What about David Ross, the re-
firing general discussing agent? 2" 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. Be-
cause of his private business, Mr. Ross
wanted to leave the commission June
!, but | wanted him to stay at least
until the 18th of July"
Secretary Taft declared that the re-
signation of Engineer Ripley was vol
sntary. 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 secreta-
~. "He had been engaged in the de-
signing of some locks. Nor has Gen
eral Manager Bird, Of the Panama
railway resigned as has been reported.
IL jackson Smith, the commission
er who has charge of all the labor Oh
the isthmus has resigned" continued
the secretary, 81 don't know it. There
is no truth so far as I know in the re-
ports of his resignation and I think
I would know it."
As to mr. Bishop, the secretary of
the commission, who is on duty at
Washington, I am not prepared to say
what his future assignments will be
That will be determined next week. !"
Secretary Taft said that none of
the three aimy officers Lieut.. Col Goe-
thals and Majors Gaillard and Ha
bert had recently apple for leave Of
absence.
1.-THE PRESIDENT promised the army
officers when they took ny their work
on The I'll mus" said Secretary Taft
"that they should have ample leave
Of absence, no less than four months,
in fact, every year and they are ar
ranging their affairs so that one
might readily take up the work when
another was absent. I don't know
where it all comes from. They have
gathered a lot of circumstances hay-
ing no connection with each Other,
and have put the whole thing together
as evidence that dissatisfaction exists.
I reiterate that the statements ar-
not true.o
From Secretary Taft's. statement
today it is evident that the whole or
. 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 pres
ident and the secretary last winter,
but it was decided at that time not to
accept any Of the bids which had been
submitted for doing the work in that
way. Col. Goethals is under instruc-
tions from the department to submit
his views on this subject with view
to their presentation at the coming
session Of congress.
Secretary Taft's plans Of reorgan-
ization Of the clerical force Of the
commission contemplates the concen-
tration Of much work on the isthmus
= the greater amount Of money IS
expended there. The Office Of pur-
Republic Of Mexico.
Mexico City. Alfonso, the two.
year-old son Of Ramon Corral, the
vice president Of the republic, died Of
Intestinal trouble. The child had been
i'll for long time. President Corral