The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-03
Oppose Goethals

Washington. January 2.-Oppositon of
democratic senators to President Taft's
plan of putting Col George W. Goethals,
builder of the Panama canal, at the head
OF the civil government of the zone took
such proportions today that some of Mr..
Taft's advisers urged him to forego the
plan and leave the creation of the zone
government to his successor, President
elect Wilson.
Some who talked with the President
early in the day were convinced that
he would canvass the situation further be-
fore abandoning his plan. Others in close
touch with the President We're positive
that out of consideration for Colonel
Goethals, whom he does not wish to in
vclve in political dispute. ne would
give up the idea, and that Colonel Goeth-
ais, immediately after appearing before
the congressional COMMITTEE terminating
appropriations for fortificatlons of the
canal would return 10 his work.
One feature of the plan, however, IL
Colonel Goethals is not put at the head of
the zone government, is to place all em-
ployes of the canal work under civil SER
vice by the Presidents executive order. A
few employees on the sthmus already are
in civil service but the great number of
the canal workers have been appointed by
the isthmian canal commission.
The attitude of the democratic sena-
tors is that the present canal commits
sion should not be displaced and dis
organized until the canal is completed
No Premature Action
1.-The bill authorizing the President to
organize civil government for the ca
nal zone never could have become a
law, but for the assurance that there
would be no premature action said
Senator Hol<e Smith of Georgia. I'VE
accepted this insurance as meaning that
the commission would be allowed to con-
tinue its labors until construction should
be finished and the water running"
The democrats further take the posi-
tion that the services of all the members
of the commission are needed still, and
they contend that to provide for Colonel
Goethals and summarly dismiss all
other commissioners would be an I'm
fair discrimination. Generally they ex-
-. dIiniIat1on for Colonel Goethals
and Senator Smith went so far as TO
say that he would favor comforting all
possible military honors upon him
"But to lift him alone out of the COM
mission for any purpose and leave the
other commissioners out of consideration
and especially deprive the country of
the services OF the commission at what
may still be critical time, we believe
to be neither wise nor fair Mr.. Smith
continued. He further said that many of
the republican senators express this view
and he added his conviction If Colonel
Goethals' nomination should be sent in
il could not be confirmed at this time
Heyburns Place to Remain Vacant
Washington. January 2.-Republican
senators have decided not to fill the
vacancy of the finance committee caused
by the death of Senator Hepburn of
Idaho, because OF the prospect OF a COM
plete reorganization of the Senate COM
mittee after March 4. which will re.
suit in general reduction of republican
representation and thus give but scant
service to any new member appointed
now.
The democratic committee has deter
mined upon the selection of Senator
O'Gorrnan of New York, as the sue
cessor of the late Senator Rayner of
Maryland as member of the commit
tee on foreign relations and Senator
Fletcher of Florida as his successor on
the committee on the judiciary.
The appointments to these and other
caused by Mr.. Rayner's
(COntinued ON Page Nine.)