Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-06
DIGGING THE BIG CANAL
Decision in the Matter Not Expected
Today.
WITH ASSOCIATES
Thomas +. Ryan Discusses With the
President Mr. McDonald's Posi-
ton in Construction Co.

Mr.. w. ]. Oliver. with one of his associ-
ates. called at the isthmian canal COM
missions offices this afternoon and at
2:12 o'clock filed with Mr.. Rogers, gem
erai counsel for the commission. the per-
fected proposition he had promised to
submit. A conference mediately ensued
between those present in reference to the
details of the proposition. Mr.. Rogers
has been keeping in close touch with
every development of the bidding, and.
indeed. II is known that he had much to
do with framing the original speciica-
lions upon which the proposals were In
/, vited.
Since the reception of the bids a fortnight
ago, Mr.. Rogers has been In almost daily
conference with Secretary Taft and fire.
quent visitor at the White House. all in
relation to the bids. 1t Is expected that he
will. after being fully acquainted with the
nature of the Oliver proposition. report per-
sonaily to Secretary Taft, and then to the
President himself. The next stem will he
Tor the latter to announce formally
whether or not any one of the bids shall re-
celve the award or whether the government
itself shall retain control of the work of
canal construction.
Mr.. Oliver looked thoroughly confident as
ne visited the commissions headquarters
this afternoon. feeling assured that he had
gathered about him an array OF construc-
i've talent that would insure the. construc-
ton of the canal within reasonable time
IL any body of men in America can do it.
Mr.. Oliver. who has been for the past
week engaged in perfecting he terms OF
his bid according to the suggestions of the
President and Secretary Taft. returned to
Washington today prepared to present his
completed proposition to Secretary Taft
This was the last day Of grace allowed by
the President since the conference was
held at the White House between Mr.
Oliver, the President. Secretary Taft and
others. January q. and in the meantime
- ltyrnr hno ct,oa AaI L., lt.,f
services Of a number of prominent capt.
tslIsts and contractors and in organizing
ana incorporating corporation to under
take the construction of the canal IL the
contract Is awarded to theFAs1 aa''
No Decision Today.
1t is not expected that any decision
will be rendered today by the executive.
but that Mr.. divers amended proposition
will be taken in hand along with the other
bids submitted fortnight ago and care
full examination made to determine wheth-
er or not any one of these bids shall be
accepted. or whether the government shall
continue to dig the canal under the man
agement Of Chief Engineer Stevens.
Mr. Oliver and a number OF the contrac-
tors whom he has associated with him. in
Guiding John b. Mcdonald of New York,
were engaged most of this morning. with
the assistance Of Judge Morgan J. O'Brien.
In completing the papers preparatory to Ill
ing them with the isthman canal commits
sion. Chairman ShOnts OF the fsthmian
canal commission Is not In Washington to-
day. but his presence was not deemed nee
essary to the submission of the documents.
Why Ryan Saw the President.
: 1t Is learned that the visit OF Thomas F.
Ryan to the. White House yesterday was
for the purpose of discussing with the
President the proposed connection Of John
B. Mcdonald with the Panama canal con-
structiOn The result of his conference with
the President yesterday Is not known, and
no statement on the subject is obtainable
at the White House.
Mr.. McDonald's work as the builder OF the
New York subway Is highly regarded by
Mr.. Ryan, and he is vice president of the
marlborough metropolitan company. All
kinds Of rumors are being circulated I'm
connection with the election of Mr.. McDon-
aid president of the Panama Construc-
ton Company yesterday, and Mr.. Ryan's
position in the matter is not clear. But 1t
Is known that Mr.. Ryan would be glad to
have Mr.. Mcdonald remain In his present
position and have charge of further subway
construction in New York.
At the same time it is presumed that the
Interborough's vice president did not ac-
company without Mr.. Ryan's knowledge
and it IS believed that some effort Is being
made to employ Mr.. Mcdonald In such a
way as to be acceptable both to President
Roosevelt and Mr.. Ryan.
1t is not yet known. OF course, whether
Mr. divers bid to construct the canal
will be accepted, but he has endeavored TO
put his proposal in such shape as to make
IL accountable to the government.