The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-08
NAVY Man Is CHOSEN
Civil Engineer Rousseau on
Panama Commission.
ORGANIZATION NOW COMPLETE
New Member of the Canal Board One
of Youngest Oascers la the Navy
and Among the BFiEhtest-Presi-
dent Satisfied That Army and .hvy
Engineers VIII Make Dirt Fly.

The new Panama Canal Commission has
been completed The last member Of that
body TO he selected By the President is
civil Engineer Harry h. Rousseau, the
present chief Of the Bureau Of Yards and
Docks
The new commission as thus completed
viii consist of Lieut.. Col. George w.
Cocktails, Majs David Du b. Gsillard.
and William l.. Sibert, of the Engineer
Corps Of the army; Col. William c. Cor
gas. Assistant Surgeon General of the
army. former Senator J. c. 5. Blackburn
Mr.. Jackson Smith. who has charge of
transportation on the isthmus, and Civil
Engineer Rousseau.
Thus the skilled engineers Of the army
and navy will constitute strong ma
jority Of the new organization, and the
great work intrusted 90 them viii proceed.
/ il is believed, without the harassing differ
Iences Of opinion that have rent the former
commissions and thwarted the purpose OF
the President TO expedite the digging and
/ Let the present generation see the compile
ton Of the canal
Pushed 10 the Front.
Civil Engineer Rousseau is ore of the
youngest officers If the navy. His recent
promotion from the rank OF lieutenant TO
that Of rear admiral by reason Of his ap-
pOintment 90 succeed Civil Engineer Nor
decal r. Endic0tt as chief Of the Bureau
Of Yards and Docks. attracted 10 him the
attention OF the whole country. Such an
advancement has been extremely rare in
the navy, although the army has become
used 20 il during the administration Of
President Roosevelt
Mr.. Rousseau is native Of Troy. y. r..
thirty-fiye years old and graduate OF
Rensselaer, Polytechnic Institute in 1891.
He entered the navy after a competitive
examination September - 1sgS For three
years be was engineer ln charge Of draft
I ing and designing in the Bureau Of
/ Yards and Docks. during which period he
[ had experience on the large dry docks
that have been under construction in the
( past decade. Since 1893 he has been sta
Toned at Mare Island. where he has had
charge OF the tetty work that has been
employed 10 preserve and improve TIA"
+ Mare Island Strait Under the recent
/ law requiring that the Bureau of Yards
/ and Docks should hereafter he admins
tered b. some member OF the civil en-
gineers staff of the navy gave the Pres
1 ideut opportunity 20 single Mr.. Rousseau
out for the distinction which has led on
T 90 the most important position he has
F thus far IN his life had The step from
+ the rank Of lieutenant. with pay of $500
/ Il year TO that of rear admiral and
member Of the Canal Commission, with
$500 a year, is one that would be inn
possible ia the navy for any other than a
member Of the Engineer Corps.
Probably Permanent Commission.
! Mt Rousseau completed his first two
/ months service in his new position al
/ the head o. the Bureau Of Yards and
Docks last Monday In that time he has
convinced Secretary Metcalf that he is an
official Of unusual skill and energy. Ii is
expected that De will for the present con-
tinue his duties al the head OF the bu-
reau while q member Of the Canal COM
mission. I'm his double service be viii
/ have charge OF the expenditure OF many
millions OF dollars. and carry response
bility that rarely comes 70 an official 50
young in years.
/ Mr. J. B. Bishop, who has discharged
the duties ~ secretary Of TN, commission
I SO acceptably t0 the President and 20 the
/ country. Notwithstanding the criticism
that has been visited upon him from
I time 20 time viii continue to have entire
/ charge OF the clerical department Of the
/ canal organization.
With the appointment Of Mr. Rousseau
/ TO the commission and the completion of
/ the new commission, the President hopes
/ that the organization may assume "a per
maneut character and 60 forward with its
duties without serious intcrruptiou