The independent., 1907-01-31
MUST GET NECESSARY HELP
RESPONSIBLE ASSOCIATES ARE
YET TO BE SECURED.
Ten Days Given I'm Which to Join
Hands With Two Independent
COntractors-Furth Bids
Not Desired

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.--FolIowing
conference at the white house to-
night II was officially announced that
the contract for building the Panama
canal would be awarded to William ID.
Oliver, who with Anson M. Bangs.
was the lowest bidder In the recent
competition, provided that within the
next ten days he associates himself
with at least two independent con-
tractors whose skill and experience,
combnel with his own, shall cover the
entire field of the work to be per-
formed under contract.
The official announcement tonight
confirms the Associated press state
ment Of last Fridayfrnight. President
Roosevelt then took the position that
since Mr.. Oliver had met all the re-
quircments Of the government, 1t
would be unjust to reject his bid of
6.75 per cent for the construction Of
the canal, or even to require him to
submit new bid for the contract
Mr.. Oliver had informed the pres-
dent that it was his desire to submit
an Independent bid for the work and
that when the canal commission Off
cials informed him that 1t would be
necessary to form partnership with
some other financially responsible
contractor they even went so far as
to suggest that he enter into an agree
ment with Anson M. Bangs of New
York city.
Thought Bangs Satisfactory.
Mr. Oliver said that after receiving
this suggestion from Chairman Shonts
he visited the war department and
was informed that Mr.. Bangs would
be entirely satisfactory to the govern
ment, Mr.. Oliver told the president
that with this assurance as to the re-
liability of Mr.. Bangs he Immediately
entered into an agreement with the
New York contractor.
Powerful influences were brought to
bear on the president and Secrc<ary
Taft to reject all bids and advertise
insisted that Mr.. Oliver should be
given a reasonable time in which to
make satisfactory arrangement to
substitute some other contractor or
group of contractors to take the place
OF Mr.. Bangs. At the white house con-
ference on Saturday night the friends
of the Macarthur Gillespie syndicate
argued that the contract figure should
be increased to per cent of the tota
cost of construction and the contract
. be awarded 10 Oliver Macarthur &
Gillespie This suggestion. however
did not meet with the approval of the
New York firm, who insisted that they
could not undertake the work for les:
than 1850 per cent OF the total cost
the figure mentioned In their origina
bid The president, Secretary Taft an,
the canal commission officials then de
clded 20 award the contract TO Mr.
Oliyer, provided he could make salts
factory arrangements with at least tw,
other financially responsible contrac
tors,
Whole Matter gene over.
secretary TAFT and H. r. Rogers
general counsel 20 the canal commits
sion, We're in conference With tn
president for two hours tonight, an,
the whole matter was again gone over
Al The direction OF the president. MI
Rogers prepared the official statemen
for the press.
When informed Of the statement Ia
sued hy direction of the president Nj
divers representatives tonight said
"rhere IA absolutely no doubt nf MI
Oliver being able 20 fnlfill the require
menta % the canal commission. Their
arc now AZ least twenty of the mos
responsible contractors III the Unite
ot.t.a tVha have exurcSsed "A willing