The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-07-05
TAFT's DEN|ALS
The Secretary Nails a Bunch Of
Rumors Regarding Panama
Canal Affairs.
WORK PROGRESSES FINELY
He Admits That Less Work Is Being
Accomplished and That Many
Changes Are Contemplated
in the Near Future.

Washington, June EFT is a It's
sue of falsehood" said Secretary Taft
Friday, when his attention was called
to the reports of dissatisfaction on the
part OF the administration of the man.
agement of affairs under the Isthmian
canal commission and of the intention
of the officers engaged in that work
to relinquish it and return to the
United States.
Continuing the secretary said:
The work appears to be progressing
finely. 1t is true that in a recent
month the excavations made under
Col. Goethals were 100000 cubic yards
less than under his predecessor but
this was due to strike and to other
causes beyond his control. Col. Goe-
thals will have all the help in the way
of army officers he may need. His as
sistants am leaving to his own Sc
lection
What about David w. Ross, the re-
firing general disbursing agent?" was
asked the secretary.
Mr. Ross resignation was not
asked for the secretary replied His
work has been in every way satisfac-
tory and he was one of the most eff
ficient officers we ever had. Because
of his private business Mr. Ross want
ed to leave the commission June |,
but wanted him to stay at least until
July IS
Secretary Taft declared that the
resignation of Engineer Ripley was
voluntary. "He and Col. Cocktails did
not agree as to the character of some
works and Mr.. Ripley retired" said
the secretary. He had been design
ing some locks. Nor has General
Manager Bird of the Panama railroad
resigned as has been reported.
IF Jackson Smith, the commissioner
who has charge of all the labor on the
isthmus has resigned continued the
secretary. Idon't know it. There is no
truth so far as | know in the reports
of his resignation.
CAS- to Mr.. Bishop, the secretary of
the commission who is now on duty at
Washington | am not prepared to say
what his future assignments will be.
That will be determined next week
Secretary Taft added that neither
Lieutenant Colonel Goethals, Major
,Gaillard nor Major Sibert has recently
applied for leave of absence. When he
was on the isthmus some time ago
the secretary explained, Col. Goethals
had spoken to him about his leave OF
absence, but there has been no recent
communication on the subject.
"The president promised the army
officers when they took up their work
on the isthmus," said Secretary Tart,
chat they have months leave each
year SO arranging their affairs that
one might readily take up the WORK
when another was absent.
IT don't know where all the reports
come FROM" added Secretary Taft.
Some one has gathered lot of cir
cumstances, having no connection
with each other and has put the whole
thing together as an evidence that dis
satisfaction exists. He reiterated that
the statements are not true
From Secretary Tafts statement
Friday it is evident that the whole or
portion of the work may yet be given
sout under private contract. Col Goe-
thals is under Instructions to submit
his views on this subject with a view
TO their presentation to congress.