New-York tribune., 1907-01-25
STEVENS TO HEAD WORK
WILL SUCCEED SHONTS.
President Plans to Reduce the Canal
Commission to One.
[From The Tribune Rureaul

washington. Jan. 24.-Secretary Taft an
nounced to-day that Chief Engineer Stevens had
been selected for chairman of the Isthmian Canal
Commission, 10 succeed Mr. Shonts and that
four bureau chiefs on the isthmus will be ap-
pointed to I'LL the vacancies on the commission.
The appointment Of these chiefs Is simply TO
comply with the mandatory law which provides
that the commission shall consist OF seven MEM
bers, but there is reason to assume that Con-
gress will soon comply with the Presidents rec
onmendation and reduce the commission 70
one. John r. Stevens viii. OF course, be that
one.
Senator Millard, chairman of the COMMITTEES
on Interooeanic Canals. has prepared bill car
rying into effect this recommendation OF the
President. This bill will be introduced in the
Senate probably tomorrow. and 1t Is the ex-
pectation Of Mr.. AIillard that 1t viii come before
his committee when 1t meets on Tuesday.
Present Indications are that the letting Of the
contract for the construction Of the canal will
be followed by a material reorganization OF the
offices OF the commission In this city. The foroe
will be considerably reduced as the chief duties
of the Washington end Of the commission will
be the purchasing OF supplies, the auditing OF the
accounts. the preparation OF the reports and the
preservation of the records. II is expected that
Joseph B. Bishop. who has for some time been
virtually vice-chairman. will be placed IN full
charge or the washington bureau.
Senator MiIlards bill, which will doubtless bs
altered to conform to the Views OF the Secretary
of War provides for a disoontinuance Of the
Washington Office OF the commission. in It's pres
ent form. and its reorganization a bureau OF
the War Department. This plan would meet
with the signal disapproval Of the President and
the Secretary OF War, and for obvious reasons
Should Il become necessary to select a sue
cessOr 20 Secretary Taft the President would
Immediately conflde the ultimate supervision OF
the canal 20 the Secretary OF State. as Mr.. Root
has frequently consulted with Mr. Taft, IS thor
oughly familiar with his and the Presidents
views. and could continue the supervision OF tho
work far better than any new 20 whom
might be conhded the portfolio OF War.
When II is reflected that the Secretary OF War
has now, in addition to the responsibilities
which formerly devOlyed upon the War Depart
ment supervision OF Philippine affairs. super
vision OF the government OF Cuba and super
vision OF the Panama Canal it can be appre-
ciated how important II IS for tho last named
enterprise 10 remain IN such a condition that
the President can transfer It's responsibilities
TO the Secretary OF State In case he shall DO
compelled to invite a new man 10 become Sec
retary OF War, even though no such unfortunate
contingency is contemplated
Senator Millard estimates that his bill will
effect a saving OF 100000 year 20 the gov
ernment so there is every reason to believe that
with the slight change necessary To make ie
conform TO the views OF the Secretary OF War
Il will receive the approval OF the committee and
OF the Senate No work has been done in the
House along these lines yet but unless the
House committee has determined that Il will
accept no legislation passed by the Senate there
seems 10 be no occasion to fear obstacles 20 the
measure at that end OF the Capitol
The resignation Of Chairman Shonts II was
announced to-day, will be accorapanied bv HIS
resignation as president of the Panama Railroad
Company. to take effect upon the date that he
sewers his connection with the Isthmlan Canal
Commission The resignation as president OF
the Panama Railroad Company VIII be sub
mtted TO the directors OF that company at the
annual meeting in New York in Aprll