Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-11-12
TAFT PARTY LEAVES
FOR PANAMA ZONE
Expected to Return Here November "a
What He Will Find on
the Zone.

the Zone
President Taft left Washing on at
4:0J o'clock yesterday afternoon over
he Atlantic Coast Line for Charles
ton, S. c., on the first leg. of his trip
to the Panama Canal Zone. Mr. Tart
brother, c. p. Taft; Capt. A. w Butt
and Lieut.. Commander Leigh @. Pal
mer. his military and naval aids; Sec
rotary Norton, and G. G. Wagner were
in the party.
The President will leave Charles on,
according 10 the schedules at
o'clock this afternoon. His immedi-
ate party will be quartered on The bat
tleship Tennessee. Six newspaper men
and Secret Service officers will be on
board the Montana, which is to act as
convoy The President is expected
back in Washington November "a.
When President Taft sails for Pan
anna he will break an Old and re-
cognized rule that the chief execu-
tive of the Emitted States Is never
to leave American territory. Techni-
cally he will not violate that precedent,
since he viii sail on United States
battleshlp. which is considered Ameri-
can territory, and presumably will set
foot only on the canal strip. which is
also American soil Thus he will not
fracture the ancient custom too vio-
lently, although he VIII leave the shores
of the United States proper.
Arrived at the isthmus, the president
will find a recent slide in the Culebra
cut, which however. is not believed
to be serious. He will also run into
a rather acute question as to coal sup
ply and is expected to take steps to
prevent the government from being
jobbed by special interests.
The biggest question he will have to
consider. however will be that Of
terrifying the canal. By being on the
ground and examining the matter at
first hand he can size up the situation
better than he could more than 1000
miles away.
The president will sail for the 18TH
mus Nov. II on the North Carolina.
President Taft will make a special
study of plans for the distribution OF
coal at the two terminals of the canal
In order TO prevent any monopoly of
the sale OF coal. He Is determined
that private interests shall not seize
the monopoly. and to this end. If the
forthcoming inspection warrants such
action. coaling stations will be estab-
lished by the government which will
supply not only war vessels. but ships
of commerce. President Taft believes
that the facts obtained should be EN-.
bodied in recommendations for presen.
tation to congress at the earliest pos
sible moment
Although Jan. /. 1915. is given as the
date for the completion of the canal,
It is expected that the work will be
finished before then, and the president
insists that the details of administra-
ton shall be arranged in readiness for
the opening.
The question OF tolls is one which
gives the president much concern. II
Is the purpose 10 make the canal a
paying investment for the government.
but rates which would return more
than 2I2 per cent on the $400,0O0,0O0
which will have been paid out when
the canal is completed may be con-
sidered so excessive by shipowners
that they would not patronize the
canal Experts figure that 2la per cent
on S40O,000.000 annually Is what the
government pays for the vast sum
invested In the canal.
Labor conditions have already given
the Panama officials much concern.
High class artisans are demanding q
wage increase based on increases
granted TO similar trades in this coun-
try. They put forward their demands
on the score of the higher cost of liv-
ing. President Taft has been inform
ed that high prices have not reached
Panama, with the single exception of
fresh meat, which has gone up cent
pound. 1t is expected that wage
schedules will have been adjusted be-
fore the president leaves the isthmus.
President Taft will examine thor.
oughly into the question of extended
Notifications. This subject win bear
directly on the form of government to
be adopted Many of the officials now
In charge of the work are army men.
and II is known they favor military
administration for the isthmus. Should
this be adopted II is believed that the
Panama railroad and the canal would
be amalgamated In so far as admin
istration is concerned otherwise the
two highways would be established
separately.