New-York tribune., 1907-01-25

laugh. well. the French idea had good long
trial, didn't it7 Isn't that a pretty good
answer2'
Mr. shonts was accompanied to Kansas City
IN his private car by George Il. Ross. general
superintendent and vice-president OF the Clover
Leaf Route.
MR. sHoNTs TELLS OF WORK
In his address tonight before the Knife and
Fork Club Mr.. shonts said:
vsG te ne To .sas sns tS a.
period OF actual operatIon BT The erea{ % SarinS f
mean that Of preparatory work. In this Il has
which the men who are to perform the labor On
ths canal are to be collected. housed and fed but
prSleet Is 70 be conducted. and the engineeFins
need not say 20 YOU who are practical men or
fhs mos, tHa c, the Tsf nd stage OF the work Is at 09ee
6S not well and thoroughly done IN every part me
capped at every step
Mr.. shOnts then told in detail Of the work
OF preparation the isthmus. the sanitation,
preparation Of quarters and esta blishment OF
restaurants and forms OF amusement. and of the
reorganization OF the Panama Railroad. He
continued:
IN harmony with what seemed 70 be popular de-
victions on the subject we decided several months
aso as soon as II was possible to do after the
eompletins the construction Of the canal by con-
tract We took this step in the belief that the
pest trained contractors and construction men In
the country could be induced 10 undertake the
work and to give the government the benefit OF tha
eAlsuhs organizations which they had spent years
III pertecting. II this could be brought about il
was our belief that the canal could be completed in
sAorter time and for less money than would be pos
siole IN any other way. The plan upon which bids
were invited contemplate3 a competition for the
work between two or more groups OF contractors
eacn group composed OF contractors who have
scheved significant success in at least OF the
departments of construction involved the
Endertaking and whose combined experience covers
the whole task
That. gentlemen Is the record OF things done
we have created state Ne have created a great
human machine 10 carry on the work l mean by
approved scientific admins strative lines under which
the various branches Of the work are divided and
distributed among departments each OF which has
us own well defined field Of duty and each Of which
mus healthy place In which to work. We have
putt quarters for the workers and have provided
Tor them abundant supplies OF wholesome food and
pure water We have built up railway system
well as commercial business. We have accuTnu-
lated the plant with which to do the work We
nave completed the engineering plans upon which
the work is 70 proceed
With the broad policies Of which have SPOKEN
carried Into operation. the creative period has come
70 an end. and the period OF active construc tiOn
mas begun AS TO the manner in which the creative
TASK has been performed we content to let
understand me, am sure IL cite tribute, as
gratifying as IL Is Just. to those associates and
agents or the commission whose unsweTviug loyalty
and unttring zeal have made possible the results
achieyed; After petsOnal inspection OF the field
President Roosevelt said In his message: ''The
wisdom OF the canal management mas been shown
IN nothing more clearly than In the way in which
the foundations have been laid"