The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-17
President Is c. Considering
Plans for Permanent
Civil Government.
GORGAS FOR ARMY
SURGEON-GENERAL
Promotion in Recognition of
His Great Work in Improving
Health Conditions at Panama.
Executive Order for Change
From Military Discipline
Is Being Formulated.
fspecia, 10 The rimes-pispatch.l


Washington, January 16.-Presidcnt
Wilson and Secretary Garrison have
decided to make Colonel Cioethals, who
engineered the Panama Canal, the first
Governor OF the Canal Zone, according
to authoritative White House inforIna-
ton This became known after a
lengthy conference this afternoon. dur
ing which Secretary Garrison present
ed to the President his plans for a
permanent civil government in the
Canal Zone
The government will be cstablishc cd
under an executive order, which is be-
ing formulated by the Secretary of
War Colonel Gocthals Will be given
almost absolute authority. and will
have under him 1900 men to operate
the canal.
Serving with Colonel Goethals on
the Canal Commission ut present are
Colonel II. j.. Hodges, Engineer Corps
U. :. a, assistant engineer in charge
of work at Culebra; Lieutenant-Col-
onel William j. Sibcrt. engineer, u. s
A. in charge Of work on the Atlantic
division; Civil Engineer II. H. Rous-
seau. u. {. ~, assistant to chief engi-
neer and Richard L. Metcalf, head OF
the Department of Civil Adrninistra-
ton. These men will also be ma
terially rewarded for their services
by being appointed to places of high
Importance in the new government
Will Get Additional Honor.
The members OF this committee will
receive practically the same salaries
they are now getting as members OF
the Canal Commission. with the addi-
tional honor that is to be conferred
AS soon as the canal is formally open-
ed, 1t is also planned that Congress ex-
tend these men vote of thanks FOL
! their services
More than year ago President TAT
| went 10 Panama, and held conferences
F, with Colonel Goethals. taking up tho
matter of permanent civil govern.
ment. 1t was his idea at that time to
abolish the military form of govern
ment and place Colonel Goethals in
charge of the new administration. Au-
thorization for such action was given
the President by what is known as the
-hdamson act.
IT is said that when President Taft
learned OF the desire of the incoming
administration to establish the perma-
nent government at Panama he with
drew. and left the work for his sue
cessor.
President Wilson. from all accounts
although at one time he was in favor
OF maintaining the present military
Secretary Garrison's plans
Early Action Essential.
AS ships will begin TO pass through,
the canal within the next month or so
the President realizes that immediate
action in establishing the new govern
ment is imperative. 1t is said that the
executive order will not involve the
question of tolls. as this ponderous
problem must be left for further con
! sidcration.
In recognition of the great work in
| improving health conditions in the
Canal Zone, Colonel William c. Gorgas
of Alabama, has been recommended by
Secretary OF War Garrison to be sur
Seon-Seneral of the United States
Army, to succeed the late Brigadier-
General George H. Torney.
President Wilson will send his nom
ination to Congress within the next
few days. il is understood
Out OF a field OF three men who have
been prominently mentioned for the
! position. Colonel Gorgas has steadily
maintained an advantage ut the War
Department. His two opponents, Col
onel Jefferson r. Kean, who is sta
toned at Fort Leavenworth. Kan. and
Colonel l.. Mervin Maus. chief surgeon
of the Eastern Department, have re-
ceived influential support,
Mig Fnctor in Success.
Colonel Gorgas. is considered rs one
of the main factors in making the
Panama Canal n success. He 1t was
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