Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-26
Thinks Congress Should Pro-
vide for Canal Management.
NOT THE JOB OF AMATEURS
Unwilling to Assume Responsibility
Without Trained Force.
DELAY IN ARRANGING TOLLS
John Barrett's Views Of the Prob
lens Confronting the United
States in Panama.

II Congress does not Immediately get
busy and organize an adequate force for
the operating Of the Panama canal, and
settle the vexed question of tolls, 1t prob
ably will be faced with the resignation
OF Col. Goethals. the army engineer who
has built the canal, and will be RESPONSE
bic for two or three years of delay in
having the shipping Of the world take ad-
vantage Of this new international short
cut between the east and the west.
This is presentation in blunt terms OF
the more delicately worded statement made
by John Barrett, directing general Of the
Pan-American Union. on the canal situa-
tion after his return from the isthmus
yesterday. COL Goethals has not yet
rendered his resignation-has not even
threatened to resign-but the impression
left on Mr.. Barrett after thorough dis
cussion with him was that he would ask
to be relieved il he were not provided
with an adequate administrative force
to operate the canal.
Responsibility Of Government.
He and the other engineers on the job
pointed out that 1t was no amateurs
work to operate such canal as that at
Panama. 1t is the biggest undertaking
OF the sort In the world, but the great
Sault Ste. Marie canal and a few others
are big enough to give the men destin-
ed to work at Panama some idea and OBJ
ject lessons in handling the problem.
Col Goethals pointed out that il the
ganize a trained force to operate the
canal, II was laying itself liable to some
big accident that might easily cost a mil
lion dollars directly in money and by
delaying the working of the canal for
six months or year would involve the
sacrifice OF many additional millions In
the loss Of tolls and the delay to world
commerce. This would be entirely aside
from the fact that the United States
would make itself the laughing stock of
canal and then not being able to oper-
ate it.
The question Of tolls is causing a great
deal OF uneasiness among shipping men
not willing to either build or lease ships
FOR trafc through the canal when they
DO not know how much the use Of the
canal Is. going to cost them.
Rapid Progress Reported.
Aside, from theyes .tve administrative
questions. Mr.. Barrett says the work
on the, construction Of the canal appears
to be making 90 rapid and satisfactory
progress as could be desired.
: With regard to the general result OF
his trip, Mr.. Barrett said:
Speaking as one who is directly con-
ceIned from commercial standpoint
with the completion OF the canal. / am
compelled in frankness to admit that
l returned from the isthmus with seri-
GUS misgfvtngs as to the successful
opening OF the canal and the immediate
acyantages to be derived from it.
IN thn E,
work OF construction and. administration
That is wonderful and reflects unlimited
credit on Col GoethalS, his fellow COM
missioners and their loyal STAFF. With
here in Washington to enact practical and
suitable legislation for admin STEERING and
operating successfully and advantageous
iy the canal when it is completed.
Delay Would Be Serious.
II Congress should fail to provide at
this session for the practical organiza-
ton OF a permanent trained administra-
tive and operative force for the finished
canal. it may. in the eventual results Of
such policy. find itself guilty Of serious
negligence. The alternative Of such de-
lay is unframed direction with the conse-
quent possibility of serious accidents and
mistakes which will alarm the shipping of
the world and retard general use of the
canal.
"If Congress wants to avoid all proba-
bility Of Titanic physical and COM
mercial disaster to the canal and hence
to the prestige of the United States, 1t
should Immediately authorize Goethals to
get ready for the completed canal. These
are not merely my sentiments as a lay
man. They reflect. / believe. the real
views fool. Goethals and his stan, who
are on the job and must bear the brunt
Of the responsibility. In fact, from what
not be surprised to see Goethals ask to
be relieved rather than remain to under
take the opening Of the canal without a
properly trained force.
Would Entail Heavy Loss.
IF Congress fails to determine the
tolls of the canal at this session. the
great shipbuilding and operating COM
panies and men, and the commercial in
terests Of the United States. cannot and
viii not get reaoy to use the canal by the
time 1t Is ofncially opeLed. This means
an inevitably large loss OF commerce
through the canal Shipping interests
will not construct or lease vessels until
the question Of tolls is settled. If Con-
gress moreover, does not make some
special provision Tor vessels flying the
American flag. at least for Pacific-At-
lantic coastwise traffic and travel. where
there would be no practical infringement
Of international treaty rights. five-sixths
Of the vessels using the canal. according
to the best data available. will fy the
flags Of Europe and Asia instead Of
America
ITO sum up. the slogan Of Congress
and the people OF the United States should
and must be Get ready for the Panama
canal"