New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-21
GARRISON DECIDES ON
SUDDEN TRIP TO PANAMA
Wants to Study How Best the
Canal Zone Can Be
Governed.
OFFICIALS PLANS CONFLICT
Goethals for One-Man Rule,
but Metcalfe Favors Gov
eminent by Com
mission.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington, Oct 2O.-The Secretary OF
War will start for Panama this week
for the purpose of making general in
vestigation of conditions. particularly
with reference TO the scheme which shall
be adopted for the permanent organiza-
ton OF administration after the canal Is
finished. Mr.. Garrison will sail from New
York.
There is a sharp divergence OF opinion
as to the plan which should be adopted
between Colonel Goethals, who has built
the canal and Richard l.. Metcalfe, for
Inerly editor Of THE Commoner." the
organ of Secretary Bryan. and now one
of the Canal Commissioners.
Mr.. Metcaife went to the isthmus last
summer He has now sent TO the War
Department a report advocating a COM
mission form Of government. This report
came to the department through Colonel
Goethals, this being the regular official
channel. and Colonel Cocktails. in trans
uniting it. said that he was in favor of
a one-man government. He advocates
putting one man in complete control.
Goethals Against Commission.
Colonel Goethals fayors q strongly CEN
nralized administration. in preference to
a commission. 1t is well known here that
Colonel Goethals believes that a military
man should be placed in control, and
there is reason to believe that the War
Department feels the same way about IT.
II has been suggested that satisfac-
Tory middle course may be found between
these two propositions by the adoption of
the British colonial system, which 1t is
known has already engaged the attention
OF Secretary Garrison. Under this system
The administrator Of the Canal Zone
would be an army officer. who in time Of
peace would conduct civil government
and act himself in civil capacity.
In time Of war or impending danger he
would automatically become military chief
OF the zone. with full powers to dispose
of the large garrison which will be main
tanned on the isthmus.
Secretary Garrison's decision to 60 on
Wednesday is somewhat sudden. While
he has often said that he would like to
go TO the isthmus as soon as possible,
there was nothing to indicate that his
departure would be immediate. The ne
cessity OF settling a number Of matters,
including that of organization for the
future. was apparent, and Mr.. Garrison,
after consulting with the President, de-
cided to make the trip at once.
To Avoid Offieeseeking.
There is a keen desire on the part Of
those who have built the canal to safe
guard its future in every way. and one
Of their great desires is TO make 1t i'm
possible for the administrative organiza-
ton TO become the happy hunting grounds
OF offceseekers.
Their apprehension on this score is
based not only on the matter OF efficient
operation Of the canal but also upon their
keen desire to retain on the canal as
many men Of the present organization
which did the actual work as possible.
Colonel Goethals is understood to have
decided views on the subject, as we'll as
certain definite plans. He has devised a
Dscheme whereby many OF the men who
have practically grown up with the canal
will find work TO do in the permanent Or
szanlzation. and he wants these men 10
stay on the isthmus in the government