The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-01-05
OPPOSITION TO COCKTAILS

We confess TO great deal Of sur
prise at the opposition which has been
developed in Congress against Colonel
Goethnls. We had supposed that every
one in the United States fully appre-
ciated the great work that be has done,
and admired his administrative abil-
ity in the doing OF that work There
is no question but that Colonel Goethals
is a great administrator as we'll as a
great builder and engineer. But so much
opposition has been developed to his
appointment as civil governor of the
canal zone that it is probable President
Taft will withdraw his nomination. It
is an amazing outcome OF what was
supposed TO be q perfectly straightfor-
ward and unanimously approved noni.
nation, The idea that the other com
missioners are as much entitled TO rec
ognition as Colonel Goethals is surely
q mere subterfuge There must be
something behind it ali that the public
does not understand. for indeed the 9TH
er commissioners have all done their
part well, but Colonel Goethals has been
the head Of it all, and his authority
has been supreme. He is the one looked
to by the public for the success or fail.
ure Of the canal enterprise. He has
made IT brilliant success, and he is
entitled to the credit therefor. Colonel
Gorgas, to be sure, by his sanitation
work, has made life and health practi-
cable to those who have been engaged
In this work, and so far as he is con.
cerned there is no possible criticism. no
possible chance for any idea OF diminu.
tion TO his credit He is q great man
IN his line; his work undoubtedly has
made possible the construction of the
canal without disastrous loss of life and
within the time set for its completion.
Aside from him, however, the public
has heard little Of the other commits
sioneTs. They have doubtless been good
routine men, but probably their work
has consisted chiefly in agreeing TO what
Colonel Goethals has proposed and rat
flying his conclusions.
There appears TO be disposition 10
bring Colonel Goethals away from the
canal altogether, and he himself is said
to have about concluded 20 resign even
before the opening OF the canal, so that
Others can plume themselves in their
glory rs chief figures IN the pomp and
display of the opening. For this Col
ouel Goethals says ne does not care, and
is willing that others shall perform that
part; but the opening of the canal with
out Colonel Goethals having charge OF
that opening and actually supervising
the passage OF the first ship through the
canal, would be distinct disappoint.
ment to the people OF the United States,
who recognize that the fitness OF things
requires the actual supervision OF this
first passage 70 be under the special
direction OF Colonel Goethals.
There is al the game time that this
opposition to Colonel Goethals appears
in Congress a disposition in that body
20 give him high rank in the army. But
there is no special fitness in this. al
though il would be substantial and
well-earned reward But Colonel Goe-
thaIs's name is iuseparably connected
with the Panama canal; he ought 20 be
the governor of tho Panama canal zone
as long az he can be prevailed upon 10
accept that position, and his supervis-
ing hand in the operating work would