The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-01-01
TAFT REGARDS 1T LARGELY AS
THE ACHIEVEMENT OF HIS
ADMINISTRATION.
WHO PUT IN THE S0l0lEPS?
Question for Future Historians to An
swer-splendid Werk Of Goethals,
Goress, Gsillard and slbert viii
Be Rewarded.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


tutcs what will probably be the last
extended trip which he will make
while president of the United States.
Some persons have wondered why Mr..
Taft cared Just at this time to go to
the Isthmus of Panama and have won
dered IL it might not be that his trip
was planned largely for the purpose
of taking a rest and having little en-
toyment prior to his separation from
the highest Office in the land
The real reason why he is going TO
the Isthmus of Panama is that he
wants to assure himself personally as
well as be can that "All's well with
the Isthmus" and that the project is
TO be left TO his successor in Office
with every assurance that the present
administration has done its duty by 1t.
Mr.. Taft IL is known feels an intense
personal interest in the work on the
Panama canal. He regards it in
large measure as being the work Of
his administration. although his so
regarding ii does not prevent him. it
is said. from acknowledging that the
preliminary plans which made it pos
sible were laid by a previous admins
tration.
The presidents personal interest in
the canal dates back to the time when
he was secretary of war. and when
civilian engineer after civilian engi-
neer was appointed to the work of
building, only to resign one after an
other. 1t will be remembered that one
of these engineers received a per
sonal verbal castigation from William
Howard Taft that he probably holds
In ear-tingling memory today.
Who Put the Soldiers in7
The canal, it seems 10 be assured.
is going to be q success and the ques-
ton which the future historian after
proper investigation must answer is
who was responsible for taking the
digging operations out of the hands
of civilians and putting it into the
hands Of the soldiers, Theodore Roose-
welt or William II. Taft?
Col George w. Goethals virtually
has promised that water shall be turn
ed into the canal throughout its en-
tire length in April next. This 1t is
believed will be the beginning Of the
end of successful accomplishment
After it was decided to put soldier
in charge. it was Secretary of War
Taft who suggested to Theodore
Roosevelt that Colonel Goethals be
given control OF the work on the 18TH
mus, but the question which no one
has answered yet definitely is whether
II was Mr.. Taft who insisted that the
civilians should get out and the sol
der should get in, or whether it was
the suggestion of his chief, Theodore
Roosevelt.
Rewards for the Builders.
No one knows yet definitely what
reward is to be given Colonel Goethals
for his great engineering triumph. II
is possible that he will be put in
charge of the great canal commission
which will be responsible for the op-
erations of the canal and for its main
tenance. Again 1t Is possible that he
may be made a full general of the
army, a rank which has been held by
only four men in the history OF the
government, Washington, Grant, Sher.
man and Sheridan. The most likely
reward perhaps is that Colonel Goeth-
ais will be made chief of engineers
of the United States army, a position
which he will hold until the time Of
his retirement at the age of sixty-four
years, which will give him nine years
yet of active service.
Among the others to be rewarded
for their work on the isthmus will be
Col William c. Gorgas. who made the
zone inhabitable from sanitary
standpoint; David b. Gaillard and
William l.. Sibert, lieutenant colonies
of engineers. who have been charged
with the immediate supervision OF the
work on the Gatun dam and at the
Culebra cut. Gaillard and Sibert were
chosen as associates in the canal work
by Colonel Goethals.
In just what form congress will
show its appreciation of the work of
Gaillard and Sibert Is not known, but
II is possible they may be promoted
10 the rank of brigadier general when
vacancies In that rank shall occur.
Tariff Revision Prospects.
belore very lohB representative
Underwood. chairman of the house
committee on ways and means,
and his Democratic colleagues of
that body. probably will have a full
understanding of the views OF Presi-
6ent-elect Woodrow Wilson on the
subject of tariff revision. Mr. I'm
derwood will confer with Mr.. Wilson
and will In turn impart the informa-
tion received to his committee col
leagues.
During the campaign Woodrow VII.
son said that he wanted the tariff re-
yised In such a way that business
would not be disturbed. The Demo
Gratis In congress differ TO some ex-
tent as to the amount OF cutting which
can be done in the schedules and yet
avoid soaring business" The Demo
Gratis here understand that the presi'
dent-elect will make q close study OF
the bills which were put through the
house at the last session under the su-
psFvlsion of Mr.. Underwood and tina;