The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-06


cruel to those people as It would be
sha meful to US. Our true course IL TO
pursue steadily and courageously the
path We have thus far followed.
Regulation OF Water Power.
There are pending before congress a
grant privileges OF erecting dams for
the purpose OF creating water power
In our navigable rivers. The tendency
OF these bills has brought out an i'm
portant defect IN the existing general
dam act That act does not. In my
opinion. grant sufficient power TO the
federal government In dealing with the
construction OF such dams TO exact
protective conditions In the interest OF
navigation. II does not permit the fed
eral government, as a condition OF Its
permit. TO require that part OF the
value thus created shall be applied to
the further general Improvement and
protection OF the stream. believe this
TO be one or the most important mat
ters or internal Improvement now con-
fronting the government. deem II
highly important that the nation
ious treatment OF these water-power
projects. which will preserve for this
purpose their value to the government,
whose right II is to grant the permit.
Any other policy is equivalent to
throwing away 4 most valuable nation
al asset.
The Panama Canal
During the past year the work OF
construction upon the canal has pro-
per cent OF the excavation work has
been completed, and more than 80 per
cent or the concrete for all the locks
Is In place. In view OF the great In
terest which has been manifested as
to some slides I'm the Culebra cut. /
am glad TO say that the report OF Col.
Goethals should allay any apprehen-
sion on this point. 1t is gratifying TO
CURED during this year would have
interfered with the passage OF the
ships had the canal. I'm fact been in
operation, and when the slope pres
and the growth OF vegetation will min
imize erosion In the banks OF the cut,
the slide problem will be practically
solved and an ample stability assured
for the Culebra cut.
Although the official date OF the
opening has been set for Jan /, 1915.
the canal will. in fact, from present
indications. be opened for shipping
during the latter half ot1a13 No
fixed date can as yet be set but ship
ping interests will be advised as soon
as assurances can be given that ves-
sells can pass through without unnec-
essary delay
Recognizing the administrative prob
congress In the act OF Aug. ~. 1912.
has made admirable provisions for the
executive responsibility IN the control
OF the canal and the government %
the canal zone The problem OF most
efficient organization In receiving care
full consideration so that scheme OF
organization and control best adapt
ed TO the conditions Of the canal may
be formulated and put In operation az
expeditiouslv as possible. Acting un-
der the authority conferred on me by
congress, have, by executive proc1a-
nation. promulgated the following
through the canal. based upon the
thorough report OF Emory r. Johnson.
special commissioners on traffic and
tolls:
passengers 81 cargo, 81 20 per net yes
sci ton-each 100 cubic feet-of actual
earning capacity.
O. On vessels in ballast without
than the rate OF tolls for vessels with
passengers or cargo.
8 Upon naval vessels. other than
transports Golfers. hospital ships and
supply. ships, 30 cents per displace-
ment ton.
& Upon army and navy TRANSPORTS.
GOLFERS hospital ships. and supply
ships. t1.20 per net ton. the vessels
TO be measured by the same rules as
are EMPLOYED in determining the net
Rules for the determination OF tho
tonnage upon which toll charges are
based are now In course of preparation
and will he PROMULGATED I'm due season.
Pnnsma Canal Treaty,
The proclamation which 7 have Is
sued In respect 10 the Panama canal
tolls 10 In accord with the Panama
canal act passed by this congress AUG.
"a 1917. We have been advised that
the British government has prepared
r. protest against the act and It's en-
forcement insofar az 81 relieves from
the payment OF tolls American ships
engaged I'm the American coastwise
trade on the ground that II violates
British rights under the Hav- Pnunce-
fote treaty concerning the Panama ca
nal. When the protest is presented. II
will be promptly considered and mn
EFFORT made TO reach satisfactory adj
justment OF any differences there may
be between the two governments.
WOrkmen's Compensation Act.
The FORMULATION ~ an efficient
workmen's compsnsatiou act. adapted
zone II awaiting adequate appropria-
tton by congress for the payment OF
claims arising Hereunder. 7 urge that
speedy provision be made La order
system OF settling claims for injuries
in best accord with modern humane
soeiel and Industrial theories
Promotion for Col. GoethsIs.
As the completion 81 the canal
grows nearer. and rs the wonderful
executive work az Col Goethals be-
comes nrdre conspicuous IN tho eyes
OF the country and ~ tho world ~
seems 10 me wise and proper 20 make
nrovision bv law for such reward TO
him as NAV be commensurate with the
service that he has rendered TO hi-
country I suggest that this reward
take the form ~ an apOointment 81
Col. Goethalr ss maiGr-e~neral IN
the srnv Of tho United States. NM
That The law su'hor'ging such appoInt-
ment be accornneni~d With n nrovts-.
ion ne-ui''tns his Designation AZ chief
Of engineers unon the retirement Of the
present Incumbent ~ that oNice
Navy D~uaumeat.
The navv ~ the United States r. In
q greater state OF efficiency and r. moro