New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-14
culebra Slide Not Regarded Serious.

recent SllUS III L4le ANIeDTd cut is not
regarded as serious and the extent 10
which the top Of the cut must be widened
20 prevent further damage has been deter
mined upon.
The proposed early opening OF the canal
IS already having an effect upon shipping
interests. especially on the Pacific, and in
quiries are coming in as 10 the estimated
rates Of toll. President Taft was informed
to-day that one line supplying the Ha-
waIian trade viii have forty-fve ships in
commission by the time the canal is opened.
This line now has its freight transferred
across Mexico by rail II the rates Of toll
through the canal viii make he cost OF
shipping less the company viii use the
waterway: otherwise il will continue its
present method. The canal. first Of all, il
IS declared, Is q business proposition. and
must De so treated The outlay of money
and human effort is so great that the Presi-
dent feels he can not afford 10 neglect the
canal If by a personal visit he can help 10
solve the problems that have arisen and
give the work a greater impetus.
The subject OF certifying is another that
is pressing for determination Plans for
this will come from the army engineers,
but Mr.. Taft wants 10 be able TO pass on
them with q personal knowledge Of par
ocular phases Of the situation.
FORM OF Government in Doubt.
Il viii - for Congress 10 determine
whether the Canal Zone shall have a mill
tary or civil form OF government. The
authorities on the isthmus at the present
time are strong in their recommendations
for the former. With garrison on the
is,hmus in command Of the fortihcations
il Is argued that the military authority
could very easily be extended 10 al parts
OF the zone and would make the problem
Of policing the canal and the strip adjoin-
ing il d simple one. The advocates Of
civil government. with d governor appoint
ed by the President, or Of even a still more
popular form. are pressing their claims for
consideration. and the problem Of govern
ment. the President believes, cannot be too
quickly decided by Congress.
Colonel GOethals reported 10 the Presi-
dent to-day that ths higher classes of
workmen employed "a the canal. the en-
gineers and machinists IN particular. are
asking for an Increase in wages in keeping
with increases recently granted their fellow
artisans in the United States. At the Same
time report comes from Panama thac the
cost of living on IN. isthmuS has not in
Creased - II fdS, II llAc 4 nlIei states.
The question Of regulating the sale OF
coal on the IsthmUs Is an Interesting one.
Colonel Guethals believes. il is said. that II
private interests allowed TO build
pockets AT either end OF the canal oppor-
tunitv will ne offered for extortiou and
m 1nopoly in supplying ships which may
arrive Al tie canal IN want Of fuel The
government must build naval coalin., STA
lions at either end or the canal and in
doing 20 IL Will be ar -s-v matter 10 pro-
de facilities for supplying merchant ships
win limited quantities Of fuel. This IN
itself II is declared. might act as d check
ou the private dealers j has also been
suggested thai the government might pro-
vide for the sale IF coal by granting con
esssions under conditions which would pre-
vent evils Of exrortion or discrimination.
Congress will be asked 10 decide as between
Tho concession plan and government sale.
President Taft has made no further en-
esgemerfS for tii.- remainder Of his stay in
BeverI,. Secretary Norton left Beverly to-
night for nis home ~ Chicago, where he
goes 10 register in order to be able to vote
Al the November election.
Mr.. Taft will go 20 Cincinnati TO vote on
November s. arb will proceed from 'inrin-
matt to Charleston to take ship for Panama.