The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-30
Government, Work On the Canal.


Lieut. Col Cocktails chairman OF the
Isthmian Canal Commission. devotes
considerable portion of his annual report
TO the Secretary Of War to a discussion
of the relative merits OF government con-
struction and construction by private con-
tractors. He reaches the conclusion that
''the work can be done better. cheaper,
and more quickly by the government"-a
conclusion which is shared by the other
members Of the commission and by the
higher officials connected with the canal
work Col Goethals argues that the
special conditions of the canal construc-
ton make it possible for the government
TO do the work cheaper than any con-
tractor. Among these conditions may be
mentioned the character Of the plant.
which would be practically useless TO "a
contractor on the completion Of his con-
tract. but which may be utilized by the
government until worn out: the immeu-
sity of the labor force employed, requiring
special organization under unusual cir
cumstanceS: the superiority OF govern
ment experience in dredging and lock and
dam construction. and the ability Of the
government TO obtain competent engineers
from the army corps. The government.
says Col. Goethals. has actually secured
and maintained an organization on the
Isthmus that cannot be surpassed by any
contractor" Measured by results. there
fore. the government has made good
in carrying forward the canal construc-
ton.
Moreover. the government has under
taken what no private contractor would
have done. and that is 10 insure health
ful conditions of employment. As a re-
suit. no difficulty is experienced in Sc
curing plenty of labor both skilled and
nskilled By supplying an ample dietary.
the efficiency of common labor has been
Increased. Modern sanitation has sup
pressed yellow fever altogether and great
~ reduced the prevalence of malaria and
alimentary diseases. contributing st!H
further TO the efficiency Of the canal
forces. The government provides schools.
churches. hospitals, recreation centers.
comfortable and cleanly habitations. and
palatable food-all of the elements that
go TO make a contented and cheerful body
Of workers. The average contractor would
have provided none OF these things. re-
garding them as unessential from bust
ness standpoint They are not only es-
sential. but vital to the success of the
enterprise The sanitation OF the Canal
Zone as n preliminary TO the actual work
Of construction was a brilliant stroke OF
genius. II laid the foundation of sue
cess where no private contractor would
have laid il, but where it had to be placed.
IL the errors Of the French engineers
were not to be repeated A change from
the favorable conditions established by
the commission. as Col. Cocktails Justly
remarks. would diSOrganize the canal
work irreparably and largely increase its
cost and the time required for completion
Of the enterprise. We have no idea that
there will be any demand on the part Of
the Congress for any change in this re-
gard, and we have no doubt that Col.
Cocktails faith in the ability Of the army
engineers to complete the canal at less
cost and in a shorter time than a private
contractor Will be fully indicated by the
course of events.