The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-02-25
CANAL BUILDERS
10TH TO DEPART
Some Have Jobs Ahead, But Many
Wonder What's Next

Panama Feb 25.--It is, in many
respects, very much like college
commencement season on the isthmus
just now. From The thousands of men
who have been taking long courses in
practical canal building classes are
being graduated almost daily. a COM
meucement season which will prob
ably continue FOR many months.
Men who have put in the fun course
misht De believed To welcome release
from the tropics but on every hand
there is sort Of Alma Mater senti-
mcnt expressed by many i'm the hope
that they will return to the scene of
| their engineering triumphs for fur
! Their service of some sCrt. \ major
| ity of the men who are laying down
! their books and shovels are COINS
away with no other diploma than
pride in having participated i'm
monumental work. That is enough
Co bind many men together and it
may Ice no surprise that some such
organization as the Canal Diggcrs
Alumni association is an outgrowth
Of this common pride
There is general satisfaction eN-
pressed that the chief engineer Will
stay until the last, and overlap for a
time AZ least as the civil governor Of
the canal zone. But this appointment
of Colonel George W. Goethals as gov.
ornor is practically tic only definite
answer which the bigger men of the
canal work have been given as To
what next for a big job.
MetcaIfe Denies Aspirations.
With Colonel Goethars appointment,
Richard l.. Metcalfe, who had been
I'm charge of the civil administration,
and Joseph Eucklm Bishop, secretary
of the canal commission, are winding
up their work Mr.. Metcalfe will prob
ably return soon To the United States
but he declares that reports that he
intends to enter the race for the gov
crnorship of Nebraska are erroneous
He asserts that il is not his present
intention to do SO, leaving his future
an open question.
1t is generally understood in the
zone that Secretary Bishop will bel
appointed by President Wilson i'm the !
capacity of official historian Of the
canal Ii is ntimated that this is the
wish of Colonel Goethals who believes
that the official history of the canal
should hc compiled while the under |
taking is fresh in the minds of those
who took part i'm it ana by man who |
WAS as intimately associated with it |
us was Mr.. Bishop. Tho secretary will |
probably remain here until the official |
opening of the waterway, set for Jan
uary 1918.
Among the division engineers who |
nave lately been relieved of their du-
ties is Lieutenant Conolcl William l.. |
Sihert, the concrete man" He was
in charge of the construction of all |
concrete work on the Gatun locks, !
dam and spillWay. Where ne will 60 |
when the Isthmian Canal Commission
ceases to exist ON April LIST is another
open question, but in some quarters it |
is believed that the construction Of |
the projected Alaskan railway may
furnish suitable field for his acti,-
itics, as it will for many who have
finished their work here.
Place Found for Goreas?
Every one believes that Colonel W. |
&. Gorgas the sanitary expert who rid |
the isthmus Of yellow fever pests, and |
who is now engaged in a great san-
tary work in South Africa, will he the
next surgeon general of the army
II. II, Rosseau. the naval engineer
who has ALWAYS been regarded as Col
ouel Gocthals' right hand man, will
probably remain on the isthmus until |
the finishing touches have been given
an the docks and shops at both ends
of the canal At Balboa this work, in |
his charge, has only just begun and |
the Roadway that is |
viii be at least another year before
the binding which viii serve as the
future headquarters of the canal force |
and th" naval shops and dry dock will
be ready TO turn owe" To other hands
ENcn with this done it is believed that
Con Goethals will find further need
of his right hand man in connection
with the canal operation.
Colonel II. f. Hodges.
United States corps of engineers, is
another of the constructors of the
great waterway whose services will |
bee required until at least the end OF
the present year. His work has been |
m looking after the important cleo
trlcar installation at the three great
locks and IN providing for the aids
80 navigation through the canal Il
is expected that this work will be
completed before the end of the pres
cnt year. Then the canal viii be said |
TO he really in condition for the safe |
passage of ocean going vessels and |
not before.
Plant Life May Hinder Ships.
Some anxiety is manifested by Wal |
ter +. Beyer, assistant engineer i'm |
charge Of aids 20 navigation in the |
canal itself, over the appearance of |
large quantities of water cabbage and |
water hyacinth that are growing rap
Idly and spreading over the surface Of |
the canal. These plants are forming