New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-28
President Signs Executive
Order for Permanent
Government.
WILL TAKE EFFECT
ON APRIL | NEXT
Numerous Departments Are
Created and Duties of
Each Outlined.
UNDER WAR SECRETARY
Wilson to Ask Congress to Give
Present Commission Charge
of Canal Opening.
fFrom rhe rrIhune Rureau ]

fFrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington. Jan. 27-An executive
order outlining the permanent organ'-
cation Of the civil government Of the
Canal Zone was signed by the Presi-
dent to-day. and coincident with its
promulgation the official announcement
was made that Colonel George w
Goethals had been appointed the Arsr
civil Governor Of the Canal Zone. AS
surances have come from him that he
will accept the post.
The Secretary Of War is authority
for the statement that Colonel Goethals
will accept the Governorship. He said
to-day that the colonel told him in
December that II was his ambition ID
be the first Governor. The prediction
was made by Mr.. Garrison that Colonel
Goethals will accept the post and viii
make his administration success
President Wilson's order creating the
civil government becomes effective on
April next, from which date the 18TH
mian Commission together with the
present organization Of the Panama
Canal and the Canal Zone. will cease
to exist. The President however. will
ask Congress 70 pass a resolution Gre
ating the retiring members Of the conf
mission a committee in charge of the
arrangements for the celebration for
the opening Of the canal
Under the terms Of the executive or
Ger the Canal Zone government will
consist Of a department OF operation
and maintenance, a purchasing depart
ment. supply department, an account
ing department and a health depart
ment. Provision Is also made for an
executive secretary. All the depart
ments will be under the direction Of the
Governor. subject TO the supervision Of
the Secretary of War
Under Secretary Of War.
President Wilson says in a mem
orandum attached to the order:
Il have deemed it advisable for rea-
sons Of efficiency. economy and good
administration TO have all the activi-
ties connected with the Panama Canal
under the supervision Of one Cabinet
officer.
The troops which will be stationed
on the Canal Zone for the protection
OF the Panama Canal are under the
Secretary of War; the Panama Canal
act provides that in time of war an
officer of the army shall, upon the or
der OF the President. have exclusive
authority over the operation Of the
Panama Canal and the government OF
the Canal Zone. The construction Of the
canal has been successfully carried on
under the supervision OF the Secretary
of War. The logical conclusion is, there
fore, that the supervision Of the opera
tions OF the Panama Canal under the
permanent organization should be un-
der the Secretary of War"
Assignments Of Officers.
The memorandum directs that ofi-
GERS shall be detailed for certain duties
from the several departments. as fol-
lows:
As engineer Of maintenance, an off,
Ger Of the corps of engineers, L. S. A.,
who shall act as Governor in the abb
sence or disability of the Governor Of
the Panama Canal.
AS superintendent Of transportation.
an officer of the United States navy.
AS electrical engineer. an officer of
the corps Of engineers, L. S. A.
AS captains of the terminal ports,
officers Of the navy
AS superintendent of shops and dry
docks, a naval constructor.
AS chief health officer, an officer OF
the medical corps OF the army.
AS superintendent OF hospitals. an
officer OF the medical corps OF the army.
AS chief officer OF the Quarantine
division, an officer OF the United States
Bureau Of the Public Health.
As chief quartermaster, an officer af
the quartermaster corps OF the army.
Duties Of the Departments.
Defining tho functions Of the various
departments. President Wilson said:
There shall be department Of opers-
ton and maintenance under the immedl-
ate supervision and direction OF the Gov
ernor OF the Panama Canal This depart
ment shall be charged with the construc-
ton OF the canal and with its operation
and maintenance when completed, includ-
ing all matters relating to trafic OF the
canal and its adjuncts. and the opera
ton and maintenance of beacons, lights
and lighthouses; the supervision OF ports
and waterways. including pilotage: the
admeasuring and inspection of vessels. in
Guiding hulls and boilers: the operation
and maintenahce OF the Panama Railroad
upon the isthmus, including telephone and
telegraph systems; the operation of leaks.
coaling plants, shops drydocks ar4