The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-16
MAY HEAD The CANAL
Jackson Smith Is Placed on
Panama Commission.
IS AN EXPERT IN HIS LINE
Significant Manner in which New
Commissioners Appointment IL An
nOunced-LaFge Experience in the
Face of Many Difficult Propositions
In Railroad Building and Operation

The manner in which the appointment
of jackson Smith, chief of the department
OF labor and quarters at Panama, to be a
member of the Canal Commission was
announced from the White House yester-
day mas given rise TO the belief that the
President has in mind for Mr.. Smith a
more important career in connection with
the canal than membership on the COM
mission.
BY some it IS expected that he has
been singled out TO be the successor Of
Mr.. Stevens should the latter decided TO
resign, as he recently suggested he might.
A long statement was given out last
night at the White House. including a
complete biography of Mr.. Smith. The
new canal commissioner is a South Caro-
linian by birth, about forty years old
and has had much successful experience
in railroad construction and management
Invited Into the Work.
In the fan OF 1904. MIR. Smith, who had
been assistant TO the president Of the In
ternational Railroads Of Mexico, gave up
that position, owing 10 a change IN the
ownership Of those railroads. and visited
friends in Washington on his way to New
York, where he expected TO consider future
opportunities. While here he called on
Chairman Shonts. of the Canal Commits
sion, and Chief Engineer Stevens. who
had a short time previous been appointed.
His conversation showed such valuable
familiarity with work similar TO that 10
be done on the isthmus that he was re-
quested to delay for a few days his New
York trip for the purpose Of a more ex-
tended conference with Mr.. Stevens. The
result Of this conference was that Mr.
Stevens urged him 10 accept a position as
his assistant in Che canal work, and 10
accompany him upon an early trip to the
isthmus.
High Praise from stevens.
The President met Mr.. Smith for the
first time during his recent trip to the
isthmus. and was so impressed with his
work and his grasp Of affairs that ne
slated him for consideration as MEM
Der Of the commission, and asked Mr.
Stevens for a special report regarding
his services. In the course Of his re-
port to the President Mr.. Stevens said.
In my thirty-three years Of varied ex-
perience he is far superior along the
lines which are absolutely necessary TO
the success Of our organization 70 any
man that / have ever come in contact
with His qualifications under the law
and under our practical requirements, in
my judgment eminentIy ct him for the
position Of commissioner. His appoint
ment would strengthen my hands more
in this work than any other action which
could be taken"
From boyhoJd Mr. Smith has dealt
with the problem of construction and
operation In railroad properties. receiving
special training in traffic and operation
in the Atlantic Coast Line and the Louis
vile and Nashville.
In 1897 ne was sent to Jamaica to repre-
sent the American interests which had
the concession for the construction Of the
jamaican Railway, and that road to-day
is being run upon the plan which he OUT
lined In 1901 he entered the services of
the James p. Mcdonald Construction and
Engineering Company, Of New York and
for two years managed their affairs IN
South America. His most important work
there was the construction of the Guaya-
gull and Quito Railway, in Ecuador.
where ne assembled and maintained a
force in a country as barren Of facilities
as was the Isthmus Of Panama when the
United States first started the canal
project He accomplished wonderful re-
suits in the face Of terrific odds in the
OF funds and the scarcity Of
labor.
The Guayaquil and Quito Railway IS
conceded TO be one of the most difficult
ever encountered. At the end
Of 1902 Mr.. Smith entered the service Of
the Mexican International Railroads as
assistant 10 the President, and was put in
charge of all details of reorganization. !
traffic transportation. and operation. At
he same time he undertook the organfza- /
ton of an engineering corps to survey
and locate the contemplated line from the
,ity Of Durango, its western terminus. 10
Mazatlan, on the Pacific coast Previous
attempts to locate this road had been met
with the opinion Of experts that II was a
physical imposibility. Mr. Smith success /
July located the line with approximately /
per cent grades.