The Daily Missoulian., 1914-09-06

distributed free to employees since 1906.
| The youngest man Of the present
commission Is Civil Engineer II. II.
Rousseau. the young engineer who
made an enviable record in the navy
department before he was sent to
the tsthmus. This young man, who
is but forty three years OF age, has
had q remarkable career in his pro-
fession. Graduating at the Renssa-
1aer Polytechnic Institute in 1891. he
became a draughtsman and engineer
in the United States navy In 1898,
with the rank of lieutenant. In 1899
he was sent to Washington AZ enRi-
neer OF the bureaus OF yards and
docks, holding this position until
lS0S, when he went to the Mare
island navy yard in California. In
january, 1907, he became the chief
OK the bureau OF yards and docks OF
the navy department with the rank OF
rear admiral. being the youngest man
who ever held this office. Early In
May OF the same year he was sent to
Panama as member OF the isthmian
canal commission, where lie has gained
an enviable reputation for his work.
The chiefs or the divisions of the
canal are the men who really bore the
brunt OF the work, and too much
praise cannot be given to these plucky
men who have given the best years OF
their lives to the great work. Their
office has been no sinecure, for they
have labored day and night over the
problems which have never before
confronted an engineer.
Sibsrt. sr
Colonel William II. S,pert OF the
corps OF engineers OF the United
states army, comes from Alabama,
and was a member OF the class OF
1854 at West Point. He has been ass-
gagged In construction engineering and
hnrbor work ever since that time,
both in the United States and her
colonies, onet of his most Important
appointments being the chief engi-
neership of the Manila and Dagaupan
railroad. located In the Philippine
islands, shortly before he was sent to
the isthmus- Colonel Slhert became
q member OF the canal commission
and chief OF the Atlantic division in
1907. He is known rs the Gather OF
the much criticized Gatun dam
Gaiilard.
Colonel ID. ID. Gaillard, the chief OF
the, central division, is a native OF
South Carolina. and was Il cassnate
Of Colonel Sibert at West Point, and,
like him. was engaged in II number
OF importar. engineering problems be-
tore he became q; member of the COM
mission. Some of Colonel Gaillard's
best-known work was done In Cuba.
He IL also the author Ut n book on
wave action in relation to engineering
structures. Colonel Gaillard has been
- member OF the canal commission
since 1907.
Williamson.
The Pacific division had as Its chief
ciyilian-Sidney B. Williamson, a
distinguished American engineer who
was called tn Panama by Colonel Goe-
thals shortly after the present COM
mission took charge. Mr.. William
son entered the employ OF the United
states government in 1882 and was
In charge OF the engineering and
construction work connected with the
navigation OF the Tennessee river,
where he remained until 1900, with
the exception OF few months in the
army during the Spanish American
war In 1898. In 1900 he was trans
ferred to Newport, Rhode Island, as
assistant engineer in charge OF tile
fortification work In that district.
During four years OF his service on
the Tennessee river and three years at
Newport he was associated with
Colonel Goethals. In 1904 he repre-
sented civilian engineering com.
pany. and later opened an office In
Baltimore as consulting engineer. Mr..
Williamson resigned hia noaitio,, 4 In