New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
CONFERENCE ON CANAL.
Details of Reorgamaotion-Mr
OHUer Preparing Statement.

Washington. Feb 27.-The President had a
conference at the White House this afternoon
with Secretaries Taft and Root regarding the
working out of the details of the reorganization
scheme for the Panama Canal work 1t is un-
derstoOd that in addition to the changes in the
commission already reported it has been decided
that Colonel Hams L. S. A. Getired). and Ben
jamin Harrod civil engineer, both members of
the present commission, shall retire. Admiral
Endcott. who is the only remaining member OF
the old commission will be retained the new
commission. the law requires that civil
engineer Of the navy shall be included in its
membership.
In view Of the increased cost of living involved
in their transfer to the isthmus and the fact
that they to be called upon to undertake
professional work of high grade for which their
predecessors have been literally paid, the three
engineer officers Of the army, Majors Goethals.
Gaillard and Sbert. who yesterday were named
as members Of the commission and engineers to
control the canal construction. will receive sal
aries considerably in excess of their present ones
namely. $4,000 a year. 1t is the intention to
divide among them the salaries now paid to
Messrs. Shonts and Stevens aggregating S6O,OOO
n year so long as they are engaged in canal
work AS the President has power to fix salaries
of persons employed in this work there VIII be
no legal obstacle to this procedure.
1t is stated that Chief Engineer Stevens re-
signed with the statement that he would re-
main in charge the isthmus until his sue
cessor arrived there and was thoroughly ini-
tiated into the new duties and prepared to take
them over. As they are familiar with the con-
duct of large engineering enterprises, it is be-
lieVed that the army officers soon will feel able
to relieve Mr.. Stevens. and, as they sail from
New York March 6, il is probable that the
transfer can he effected early in April.
number Of kilograms have been received at
the White House to-day from the South asking
the President TO name w. !. Oliver, whose bld
for tho construction Of the canal was rejected,
IS a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission.
Secretary Taft tonight said that he did not be-
IeVe that the President considering the APP
pOintment of Mr.. Oliver a member of the COM
mission. Mr. Oliver said that he would not
Cept place on the commission II IL we're ten
dered 10 him. When he has been officially ad-
vlsed that the bid Of the Panama Canal Con-
strUction Company has been rejected. Mr.. oliver
will give out statement for publication.
only last Thursday he said tonight, the
President assured my friends that I would nc
that he would be down in Panama next Novem-
her, and said that he was confident that by
that time he would have the work well under
way"
The corporation organized by Mr. Oliver and
known as the Panama Canal Construction Com
Pany viii at once be dissolved. Mr.. Oliver says
that he has spent $4,000 in the preparation OF
his bids and in the organization Of the con-
StruCtiOn company. John b. Mcdonald. OF New
York, president Of the Panama Canal Construc-
ton Company will arrive in Washington to-
morrow and VIII assist Mr.. Oliver in the prep-
correspondence between Mr.. Oliver and his as
soCiates and the President. Secretary Of War
and Isthmian Canal Commission regarding the
canal contract, which will be given to the press