New-York tribune., 1907-06-29
TAFT'S STRONG DENIAL.
NO TROUBLE 1T ISTHJITyS.
Secretary Says administration and
officers 4re Satisfied.

Washington, June 2S.-'It is tissue of false
hood" said Secretary Taft to-day when his at
tentioE was called TO the reports of dissatisfac-
ton on the part OF the administration with the
management of affairs under the Isthrnian Canal
Commission and of the intention of the officers
engaged in that work to relinouish If and return
20 the United States. The Secretary was very
emphatic in his declaration that he had not
received single communication from Lielten-
ant colonel Goethals showing in any way that
lie was dissatisfied desired to end his connec-
ton with the work NO Immediate change is
contemplated in the administration Of affairs on
the lSthnlus, continued the Secretary land
u.ere has not been single kick of any sort
There is no truth in the stories Of the army
"1hcels asking for leaves of absence to return
TO the United States"
Continuing the Secretary said:
Ihe work there appears to be progressing fine
ly. It IS true that in a recent month the excaya-
tions made under Colonel Goethals were 10000
cupic yards less than under his predecessor, but
tIns was due TO a strike and to other causes be-
9ond his control Colonel Goethals will have all
the help in the way OF army officers he may need
with a view TO the thoroughness of the work
he has in hand His assistants 1 am leaving to
his own selection, nominating those whom 1
think Will be able assistants and leaving it to
him TO confirm Them
What about David W. Ross the retiring gen.
eral dsbursing agent?" the Secretary was asked.
Mr. Ross's resignation asked for
he replied His work has been in every way
satisfactory, and he one of the most efficient
officers we ever had. Because Of his private
business Mr.. Ross wanted TO leave the commits
sion June l, but I wanted him to stay at
least until July 15.'
Secretary Taft declared that the resignation
OF Engineer Ripley was voluntary. He and
Colonel Goethals did not agree as TO character
Of some works under way the isthmus, and
Mr. Ripley retired" said the Secretary. He had
been engaged in the designing Of some locks.
Nor has General Manager Bierd, of the Panama
Railroad, resigned. as has been reported Mr.
Bierd is one Of the most useful men we have on
the isthmus being at the head Of all the trans
portation work we have there.
IF Jackson Smith. the commissioner who has
charge of all the labor on the isthmus, has re-
signed" continued the Secretary. II do not
know It. There is no truth, as far as I know. in
the reports of his resignation, and think l
would know #"
LAS to Mr. Bishop the secretary OF the com
mission who is on duty at Washington 1
am not prepared 10 say what his future as
signments will be-" said che Secretary. THAT
wifi be determined next week"
Secretary Taft added that none of the three
army voficers-Iieutenant Colonel Goethals and
Majors Gaillard and Sibert-had recently applied
for leave of absence. When he was on the 18TH
mus some time ago. the Secretary explained,
Colonel Goethals had spoken to him about his
leave Of absence, but there had been no recent
communication on the subject. ne COnlIIiueu-
The President promised the army officers
when they took up their work the isthmus
that they should have ample leave Of absence,
no less than four months, IN fact, every year,
so arranging their affairs that one rnig>< readily
take I'D the work when another was absent.
don't know where It ali comes from. They have
gathered q lot of circunst tauces having no con-
nection with one another, and have put the
whole thing together an evidence that dissat-
isfaction exists. reiterate that the statements
are not true
The question of construction by private con-
tract was considered very fully by the Presi-
dent and the Secretary last winter, but it was
decided at that time not to accept any OF the
bids which had been submitted for doing the
work in that way. Colonel Goethals is under
Instructions from ice department TO submit his
views this subject, with view to their
presentation at the coming session OF Congress.
His reconrnendations and views are to cover
the question whether it IS expedient or advis-
able 70 undertake the construction Of the whole
Or any part Of the work by contract.
Secretary Taft said that the method in
cogue OF settling labor disputes on the isthmus,
which contempates the reference Of these mat
tere TO certain persons, had worked satisfac-
torIly. His plan Of reOrganiZing the clerical
force Of the commission contenplates the con-
rsntrati6h Of much Of the work on the isthmus,
hs the greater amount of the money is expended
there. The Office Of purchasing agent will re-
main in Washington, under the direction or
Major H. F. Hodges, Of the Corps Of Engineers,
who. with the large number Of men in this
corps Of the army, will be able TO handle the
purchase Of supplies readily and without great
rost to the government. There Will be a chief
fisbursing officer on the isthnUs and a deputy
disbursing officer in Washington, whose work
viii be that Of examining such accounts as
originate in the United States. There VIII be a
chief auditor on the isthmus and a deputy au-
1tor in Washington. This scheme viii prevent
the duplication and duplication Of many ac-
counts and papers. It's practical effect will be
10 reduce materially the number of clerical en-
ployes 81 the isthmian canal commissions office
here. The proposed changes have been sub
nitted TO Colonel Cocktails, and when approved
by him viii be made public. Secretary Taft
to-day said the retirement Of Auditor Benson
entirely voluntary. and that a civilian
would be appointed in his place