The Washington herald., 1910-11-16

Panama. Nov 15.-Col, Goethals has
recommended to Mr.. Taft chat the canal
be fortified by the military government
of the Canal Zone. tine army and navy 10
be represented on the fortihcstlons board.
and each branch Of the service to have
control OF the matters appertaining 10 il.
The navy is represented In The confer
enees now going on here by Rear Admiral
stauntoR and capt Maxwell. Of the For
tifications Board.
The naval officials favor the construo-
ton OF dry dock and other necessary
works. Col. Goethals recommends that a
dry dock be built with the understanding
that II may be used not only by the
navy, but by merchant vessels as we'll
He also recommends that the navy utilize
for repair work. &c. the machine shops
already built and in operation here.
Col. GOethals told MT Taft that the
canal would Dee completed in 1915. and
that the cost would be kept within the
estimates OF $50 ,0o0. He believes that
the waterway viii be ready for the ex-
perimental passage OF ships a year ear
lier. but he intends that before the canal
Is opened TO the commerce OF the world
year should be devoted TO testing puT-
poses. The completion OF the work de-
penis on the situation at the Cuebra
Cut. Col Goethals VIII probably recon-
mend the construction Os retaining walls
in the cut because OF apprehension that
there may be further slides Of the earth
similar 10 those which have already oc-
Cured there.
Inspeets Gatun Dam.
President Taft made close inspection
OF the Gatun Dam to-day and was much
pleased with the work done there. To-
morrow ne viii make an inspection OF
the Culesfa Cut. and he VIII also hear
the complaints of employees who are paid
by the hour, who are demanding higher
wages Air. Taft thinks the employees are
we'll paid. He WI talk plainly TO the
delegation OF tht xoTkmen. and decline
10 authorize the Granting OF the demand
Mr.. Taft tonight delivered an address
10 the menb bers OF the Society OF the Red
Cross and the y NJ. c. \ He was en-
Enthusiastically welcomed by the assem-
blage. Tomorrow night Mr.. TAFT viii
speak at dinner 10 be given in bis honor
by Acting President Arosemena II is
reported that he viii take advantage of
the occasion 20 pat a Quietus on the re-
port thal II Is the intention OF the United
States TO annex Panama
Mr., Taft may recommend the establish
ment Of a postal savings bank for the
Canal Zone.
Bernard n. Baker. OF Baltimore. IS
anxious 20 put on a line OF steamers on
the Pacific to compete with the Pacific
Mail Line He wants the government
TO grant a subsidy to the line. hat be
may establish the line under the subsidy
act OF 1891 II the tolls and terminals can
be arranged satisfactorily President
Taft may recommend that Congress be
requested TO give authority for the adj
justment OF the canal tolls on a sliding
scale 10 compete with the tolls Of the
suez Canal Mr.. Baker Is also interested
in the arrangements TO be made for the
coaling OF steamers.
Mr.. Taft Will go aboard the Tennessee
at Colon, at 1 o'clock Thursday even
ing, and two hours later viii sail for the
American naval station at Guantanamo
where he viii arrive Saturday afternoon
A brief inspection probably lasting three
hours Will be made OF the station, and
then the Tennessee will sail for Hampton
Roads. weather and tide permitting
Taft weather continues here, and there is
no sign OF rain.
President Taft has cabled his condol-
ences on the death OF Senator Clay.