The Washington times., 1909-11-30
BUSINESS METHODS
NEEDED IN PANAMA
Harmonious Working Or
ganization Should Replace
Present Regime.
CONTINUED from First Pase)

work in combinations. In other words.
there is a game Of log-rolling constant
" IN progress. .s.
You help me on this proposition. and
I'll help you on yOUrs.3 seems to be
the motto or division officials who
seem determined 70 have their own way
regardless OF the chairman. To put
the man in charge OF the work i'm the
position OF complaining to the President
when matters do not suit him is not
tenable. There IS not a railroad presi-
dent in the United States who would
be expected TO consult mis- board Of
directors before removing a division SUI
perintendent. and Colonel GOethals or
any other man in charge OF the con
str7lction OF the Isthmisn canal should
not be expected to ask permission Of
the President TO remove a man who is
not delivering tie goods II he were
given supreme command, so far as his
working organization Is concerned, he
would be in a position 10 compel every
man on the canal to do the work as
he desires # done
Personnel of Board
The present commission consists OF
Colonel Gcethals, chairman; Lieut. Col.
H. +. Hodges. L. s. A. assistant TO COL
onei GOethals and ia charge Of engi-
neering work in the administration
building at Culebra; Lieut. Col d. d.
GafIlard. In charge Of the central divi-
sion: Major William I. Sibert. in charge
Of the Atlantic division; II. Il. Rous-
seai1. civil engineer, in charge of me-
chanicaI work: Jo S Blackburn. civil
governor, and Col. W. G. Gorgas, sani-
tary officer.
Ar example OF how the Job should be
run IS seen in the Pacific division or
the canal. There the work is directed
By s. r. Williamson. an exceptionally
capable engineer. lie is responsible to
the commission. buC takes his orders
from Colonel Goethsis. 1t is in that
division, more than any other, perhaps,
that Colonel GoethaIs has an oppor
tunity to run the job as he pleases. The
Pacific division Is operated far more
economically than the other divisions.
The difficulty in the other divisions, as
pointed out before, is that the man re-
sponsible for the entire work cannot
20 to a member of the commission in
charge Of a division and order work
done IN a particular way. He must
haggle over the matter at 2 meeting Of
the commission and trust TO luck on
getting votes enough to support his con-
tentlon.
waited II Congress passes at the coming
session the bill introduced in the Sixty
first Congress by Representative Mann
End passed by the House. The bill pro
vidcs for the appointment of one chief
engineer. one director and a civil gov
ernor. The two first nOsitiOns may be
combined III the President desires. It's
merit lies in the elimination Of the pres
ent unnecessary O-ge aization. Mr.. Mann
has made a studz Of condition in the
Canal Zone.
Need of Head.
The necessity for director. however,
Is not entirely understood Fear is ex-
pressed that while the friction Of the
present organization would be elimi-
mated tho bill makes possible a similar
state Of affairs In event the President
should see fit to appoint a director as
well as a chief engineer. The rumor
is prevalent on the isthmus that Colonel
Roosevelt will become director. Where
the rumor originated is not known. For
the purposes Of illustration. however.
the possibility OF his appointment serves
an excellent purpose suppose he
should go 10 Panama as director ANY
one familiar with the former President
knows he would be boss Of the job, and
he would find "a way 20 make the ell
Eineer I'm charge Of the work his sub
ordinate. This Is exactly what is not
wanted in Panama. The appointment
Of a civil governor IS necessary. and
Tho duties Of that official would In no
way conflict with the construction OF
the canal
The United states viii be fortunate.
indeed. II the health % Colonel Cocktails
permits him to remain on the canal
until the work III completed. He is the
right man ip the right place His eN-