Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-05
NO PLEDGE TO OLIVER.
Statement Reiterated Regarding the
Canal Contract.

With nothing but newspaper reports to
acquaint them W. n the progress Mr.. Oliver
is making in his efforts to combine a suf-
ficient number of reputable contractors to
dig the Panama canal the President and
Secretary Taft are awaiting the expira-
ton of the ten days allowed Mr.. Oliver to
perfect his bid. That period expires
tomorrow. II. in the meantime, the
bid shall have been put In regular
form In accordance with the sugges-
tions offered by Secretary Taft. II will be
other bids on the 18th ultimo To correct
any possible misunderstanding on the sub
ject, 1t 10 again stated that there was no
pledge Giyen by the President pr by any
authorised ofhciai that the Oliver bid or
any other bid. even provided the necessary
combination was effected. and abundant
capital procured. would be accepted. All
oliver bid was made to conform with the
requirements OF the specifications would
be considered on Its merits In connection
with the whole general subject OF the al
lotment of the contract for this great work.
Indeed, 1t IL stated. II may be decided that
the canal shall be constructed by the gov
eminent itself, either under the absolute
neer In charge, or by the army engineers.
willing to Undertake Task.
The latter have made no move whatever
toward claiming the management of this
great project. The corps is limited in num-
Der and heavily Overtaxed, nearly every Of
ficer being charged with the direction Of
projects in some cases almost rivaling In
importance 1.-The Panama canal itself.
Thus. for instance. as a mere incident to
a mass of other work. the engineer officer
in charge Of the district including New
York harbor ts supervising the deepening
of Ambrose channel. the work involving
the excavation Of almost as much material
as will have to be removed at Panama. yet
this work is attracting very little attention.
However though not seeking the canal con-
struction, the Engineer Corps would cheer
fully assume the great task for the sake or
the imperishable renown that would attach
to the successful opening OF the isthmian
waterway.
Local Clerical Force.
The large force Of employees of the canal
commission in the Washington quarters In
the Mills building Is a good deal disturbed
over the current report that II is to be con-
siderably reduced as incident to execution
If the canal work by contract. AS mat
ter of fact a considerable change will be
necessary in the cfice methods regardless
of the award Of the contract. Even II 1t Is
decided that Mr.. Stevens should continue a
complete reorganization OF the canal COM
mission Is expected to follow the adjourn
ment Of Congress. Secretary Tart has an
nounced that a great deal of the clerical
work now being done in Washington could
be done on the isthmus. So 1t Is expected
that as soon as the necessary clerical quar-
ters are completed on the isthmus. and the
reorganization has been effected good
many of the employees will be transferred
from Washington to the place where the
work il actually going on. Also. It is prob
able the purchasing bureau will be In part
transferred to New York. where II can Dc
kept lin closer touch with sources OF sup
plies. With all Of this. however, con-
siderable force of employees will be kept In
Washington though what proportion II Will
bear to the present establishment has not
been determined