The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-01-30
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
IN The CANAL zone
LSON SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER
CREATING IT.
Names Goethals to be Governor
President Picks Chief OF Commits
sion to Head District.

Washington, Jan. 27.-Organization |
of a permanent government for the |
Panama canal zone to supersede the
isthmian canal commission, April /,
was authorized by President Wilson |
today with the announcement that the /
nomination Of Col George w. !
Soethals to he first governor Of the
lama canal would be sent to the
he in a few days.
Col Goethals' idea of lone man
government is carried out IN the
executive order which was made pub
lie by Secretary Garrison Immediately
\ after today's cabinet meeting. The
authority of the governor will be SUI
preme under the secretary OF war,
Official notification of his selection
was cabled to Col Goethals at Pan
ANA. Secretary Garrison, who told
the colonel last summer that he would
B be made the first governor, said he
was confident there would be no ques-
ton about acceptance. Col. Goethals
as governor is to receive $4,000 and
he now receives $4,000 as chairman
of the commission.
A New Body.
Secretary Garrison annouced that
was proposed to resolve members OF
Ae commission with the exception
Col. Goeth4ls, into a new commits
to arrange for and conduct cere-
les at the canal opening. Con-
will be asked to provide the
sessary legislation.
gAs today's executive order not only
rminates the existence of the canal
8mmission April l, but also the pres
ent organization of the working force
n the zone, many army officers con-
nected Herewith will lose the III
creased pay they have been receiving
under the commission form OF gov
ernment. The order authorizes the
designation of several army omceIs
as we'll as few naval officers fof
duty in departments of the permanent
canal government but toe act OF con-
gress provides that they shall serve
at their regular army and navy SAL
aries.
The Plan.
President Wilson sent out his rea-
sons for adopting the plan of gov
ernment provided for by his order in
the following memorandum:
"In constructing and carrying out
4 the foregoing order. direct that it
be done with the following considera-
tons in view:
'I have deemed it advisable for
reasons of efficiency and economy to
have all activities connected VITA the
Panama canal under The supervision
of one cabinet officer.
The troops which will be stationed
on the canal zone for the procession OF
D. the Panama caAal are under the sec
retary of war; The Panama cana! act
provides that in time of war aa OF
ficer of the army shall upon the or
der of the president have exclusive
authority over tae operation OF the
Panama canal and the government OF
the canal zone; the construction OF
the canal has been successfully car
ried on under the supervision OF the
secretary of war; the logical conclu-
sion is, therefore, that the supervi-
sion of the operations of the Panama
canal under the permanent organl-
z zation should be under the secretary
of war
The presidents order establishing a
permanent government for the canal
zone creates these departments:
Operation and maintenance, pur-
chasing department, supply depart
ment, accounting department, health
department and an executive secre'
tries. The department will be manned
as follows: Maintenance, army engl
neer officer; transportation, naVa
officers; electrical engineer, army en-
gineer officer; captains Of termina
.posts, naval officers; superintendent o
sshops and dry docks, naval consruc-
ror; chief health officer; army medica
Officers; superintendent Of hospitals
army medical officer; chief Of the
quarantine division, officer of the pub
lie health bureau, and chief quarter
master, army officer.