The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-28
COCKTAILS GOVERNOR
PANAMA CANAL ZONE
CONTINUED From Page Oneo

TOHI IuSe Onc.D
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commission. with the exception of Colo
mel Goethals, into a new commission to
arrange for and conduct ceremonies in
cident to the canal opening. Congress
will be asked to provide the necessary
legislation.
AS today's executive order not only
terminates tine existence of the canal com
mission April l, but also the present
organization of the working force in
| the zone. many army officers connected
herewith will lose the increased pay
they have been receiving under the COM
mission form of government. The order
authorizes the designation of several army
officers as well as a few naval officers
for duty in departments of the perma-
nent canal government but the act of
Congress provides that they shall serve
| at their regular army and navy salaries
1t has been assumed that some of the
officers now on the isthmus would be ap-
pointed to new positions created by the
order but Secretary Garrison today was
not prepared to make a positive state
| ment on this point
| President Gives Reason
| President Wilson sent out his reasons
| for adopting the plan of government pro-
vided for by his order in the following
/ memorandum:
In constituting and carrying out the
| foregoing order, | direct that it be done
with the following considerations in view:
Il have deemed it advisable for rea-
| sons of efficiency and economy to have
all activities connected with the Panama
canal under the supervision of one cab
met officer.
THE troops which will be stationed
on the canal zone for the protection
of the Panama canal are under the Sec
retary of War, the Panama canal act
provides that in time of war an officer
of the army SHALL upon the order 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
pervision of the Secretary of War. The
logical conclusion is, therefore, that the
supervision of the operations of the Pan
anna canal under the permanent organ
ization should be under the Secretary
of War"
Colonel George Goethals later said there
would be no delay after he had received
official notification of his appointment
as governor, in the reorganization of the
canal forces. He expressed qualification
at the honor conferred on him by the
President.
IdHdud, JdHudTy 1i.-lne news OF the
signing today by President Wilson of an
executive order establishing permanent
government for the canal zone. with
Colonel Goethals as. governor, reached
here late today and brought general
| feeling of relief at the ending of the un-
certainty. When word was conveyed to
Colonel Goethals that he had been ap-
pointed governor he expressed pleasure
but declined to comment in the absence
| of official notification.
1t Is believed in official circles here
| that the plan submitted by Colonel Goe-
thals through the Secretary of War has
been followed This would give the gov
ernor control of all features of the ad-
ministration. the more important officials
being either navy or army officers. ex-
perienced in the work of the departments
of which they will have charge
| Colonel Goethals is understood to have
selected Capt. Hugh Rodman of the navy
as superintendent in charge of the opera
ton and navigation of the canal, and
Naval Constructor Daniel C. Nutting. Jr,
| as superintendent of construction shops
at Balboa and elsewhere, succeeding
Lieut.. Col. Tracy c. Dickson Construc-
tor Nutting has just arrived on the 18TH
mus.