Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-06
Executive Order Modified by
the President.
PROSECUTION OF THE WORK
Organization Into Several Depart
nents and Duties.
CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLIES
Those for Over $4,000 Made After
Advertisement and Award
to Lowest Bidder.

The executive order Of November IL,
1905. regarding the isthmian canal COM
mission was today modified by the Presi-
dent as follows:
The commission shall hold sessions
upon the isthmus at the call Of the chair
man. -Four members shall constitute a
quorum and the action of such majority
shall be the acton of the commission
The commission. under the supervision
of the Secretary of War and subject to
the approval Of the President. is charged
with the general duty of the adoption OF
plans for the construction and MAIN
ment and the fixing of the compensation
OF engineers or other persons necessary
for the proper and expeditions prosecu-
ton of said work; with the making of all
canal or any of its needful accessories;
with the duty of making to the
President annually. or at such other
periods as may be required either
oy law or the order of the President.
full and Complete reports of all their
actings and doings and of all moneys re-
ceived and expended in the construction
OF said work and in the performance Of
their duties in connection herewith
and with the duty of advising and as
sisting the chairman in the execution of
the work OF canal construction, with the
government and sanitation of the Canal
Zone and with all matters of sanitation
in the cities of Panama and Colon and
the harbors thereof. and with the pur-
chase and delivery of supplies. machinery
and necessary plant
Organization Into Departments.
For the proper prosecution of the work.
the organization shall be divided by the
chairman. with the approval of the Sec
rotary Of War or the President, into such
departments as seem advisable.
Among such departments shall be de-
partment of construction and engineer
ing which may be subdivided into divts-
ions in the discretion of the chairman,
who will also be the chief engineer.
A department Of civil administration,
charged with the duty of administering
the civil government within the canal
zone. &,
A department of law, charged with
the general supervision Of the legal
matters pertaining to the commission.
whether In the United States Or on the
Isthmus Of Panama, including the ac-
QUESTION OF right Of way and the adj
justment Of land damages.
A, department Of sanitation. charged
with the duty of preserving the santa
ton and health conditions upon the
A purchasing department. charged with
the purchase of all supplies. machinery
and necessary plant.
A department or disbursements, charged
with the preparation of vouchers and the
disbursement of funds for the commission,
and with the keeping of the general books
Of the commission upon the isthmus.
A department of examination of ac-
counts charged with ,he duty Of exanin-
ing into and checking the accounts of per-
sons charged with the custody and dispo-
sition OF the property and funds of the
commission
A department charged with the duty of
ASvn 1rxytt, he loS,<
for the commission; with the keeping of
the personnel records of employees: with
the care of quarters. and with the opera
ton of commission hotels and mess
houses. 81.
Each of the foregoing departments shall
discharge such further duties as may be
assigned to It from time to time by the
chairman, and the chairman. with the
approval of the Secretary of War or the
President, may transfer from time to time
specific duties from one department to
another.
Heads of Departments.
The heads of the several departments
shall be appointed by and report to the
chairman. and their salaries, except as
otherwise provided. shall be fixed by him.
subject to the disapproval Of the commits
sion.
Oficers and employees in the several de-
pdTLNlSutS DC dppOtutSu du0 lAcib
salaries primarily fixed by the head of the
department in which they are engaged.
after consultation with the chairman OF
the commission.
Contracts for the purchase of supplies
involving an estimated expenditure ex-
ceeding $4,000 shall be made only after
due public advertisement in newspapers
OF general circulation and shall be award
ed to the lowest responsible bidder, except
in case Of emergency, when, with the ap-
proval Of the Secretary of War. advertis-
ing may be dispensed with In the max
ing of contracts for supplies or construc-
ton involving an estimated expenditure of
more than 81 900 and less than 10000 COM
pettive bids shall be secured by invitation
or advertisement whenever practicable.
The head of each department shall
make report upon the work and opera
ton Of his department to the chairman
Of the commission as often as may be re-
quired.
The chairman Of the commission shall
make report to the Secretary Of War
setting forth the results accomplished by
each department OF the work at least