The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-20
COCKTAILS IS SILENT
AS TO ACCEPTANCE
OF NEW YORK OFFER
Declines to Commit Him
self by Single Word
as to Intention.
LEAVES AT ONCE
FOR WASHINGTON
Will Take Up With Authorities
Reorganization of Canal Zone,
Needed Appropriation for Ter
minals and Fortihcations
and Charges Against
John Burke.
Ispec,aI 10 The Times.DispatcI

Especial TO The Times -Dispatch.I
New York, February 1e.-Coionel
George ". Cocktails. builder OF tho
Panama Canal. declined 10 commit
himself by q single word as to his ac-
ceptance OF the New York police com
missionership, upon his arrival here
from Panama to-day.
II have nothing to say" he replied
TO half n dozen questions relative to
Mayor Mitchers tender. Finally, when
he was asked tho direct question
whether at any time In the future,
when his work on the Isthmus has been
fully completed, he might be expected
TO become police commissioner of New
York, he replied, after moments
hesitation: Il don't know"
Those who know Colonel Goethals
well declare that this is a fair and
honest presentation of his state of
mind. He is absolutely In doubt to
his future movements. But II Is Ger
tain that he does not intend to get
mixed up in the movement to amend
the police laws as proposed by the
Mitchell bills, and that by no word OF
his Will the situation with regard TO
these pending measures he influenced
one way or the other. He Will not
even express opinion with regard
to these bills. which, by the way, he
has never seen.
Unnble to See Mitchell.
r. S. Bickard. secretary of the CITY
Club. met ColoIel Goethals at uuaran-
tine, and presented to him a letter
from Mayor Mitchell. requesting n con-
ference. Such conference will have
10 be held later on. since Colonel Goe-
tha]s. expressing regret ina, lac would
be unable To see tho Mayor at once
left New York tonight for Wash
inRton
Before departing he dismissed tho
runor that he was being groomed for
the goyernorship Of New York by
comment:
II am no, in poii,ics.'
enough about other matters
~ am here to get more money for
nish mi the hn afd Me We want, want to
the dry docks. terminals. coal pockets
ETC.. at the new town OF Balboa on
the Pacific end Of the Isthmus, is going
forward. They all require money, and
] am here 10 have my customary talk
With the Appropriations Committee.
] do not know how long / shall stav
but l want TO get. back to Panama as
soon AS possible"
Among other things Colonel Goethals
will urge at Washington will be n
rushing OF work on the big guns and
the completion of the fortihfcations
behind iSa nd, which ls they win be mounted at
Of course. he will take up with the
secretary or War the matter OF the
IeoIsaniZation. Ihis has very inn
portant bearing upon the New York
police commi ssionership, inasmuch as
he may be detained in the work OF re-
tErgan,,iiz1ntion ,s.,,i n beyond the time which
TO walt for him.
skiufuily Avoids Trap.
Colonel Goethals said to-day it was
,mpossssibie ossl to say how soon he would
organization. But he will not be able
10 begin the work before April /.
II was thought that he had been
trapped into, significant admission
when no said he hoped he would not
be present at the formal opening Of
san,snad sse ehnai 1,b on January l. 1915, but he
There is nothing new in that, you
know l have always been opposed to
ceiebratlons. and l dodge them when
Once again, when he explained that
he was leaving for. Washington imme-
diately. he said. whimsIcany:
New York is very wicked city, and
that's why want to get out of it as
soon as Possible."
colonel" said some one else
'Talkee. talkec." replied Goethals.
lighting cigarette.
The business that took him to Wash
ington. the colonel said. in addition to
the reorganization of the government
tion Of s34,oO6,O0o for terminals. docks
and Notifications, was especially the
disposal of charges against John Burke,
ment of the Panama Railroad
Lorin G. Collins Santa Fe lawyer.
who also arrived on the Metapan. is
Burke's attorney. The charges against
Burke" he said. never have been made
openly. They were started by a dis
gruntled under employe. The whole
AFFAIR is nothing more or less than an
attempt by an ambitious Individual to
discredlt the administration Of Colonel
Goethals."
Colonel Goethals was met at tho pier
by Mrs. Goethals Henry l.. Stimson,
former Secretary of War. and A. b.
Drake. vice-presdent OF the Panama
Railroad. With Colonel Goethals on
board the MetapaH came his daughter
in-law. Mrs. George r. Goethals. and
his secretary. William II. May.