Evening journal., 1914-01-24
WILSON WANTS
COETHALS TO
STAY in ARMY
News That He CsntemplateS
Becoming New York Police
Head Shocks President
WANT RIM TO BUILD
ALASKA RAILROAD LATER
RY JOHN EDWIN NAVE.

IN JOHN EDWIN NENlN.
Stan Correspondent of the United Press
WASHINGTON. Jan. 24.-Colonel
George w Goethals will be asked TO
remain in the Federal service. He will
not be permitted 10 sever his connec-
ton with the government to which
he has devoted the best thirty-four
years OF his life without protest from
his commander-in-chie President
Wilson. And the President is very
certain that the colonel will stay, pos
sibly 20 develop the great resources
of Alaska or TO end the disastrous
floods which yearly devastate most
of the Mississippi river valley.
This was learned upon the highest
authority today, IL is stated the
report that Colonel Goethals was con-
sidering leaving the Federal service
came as a direct shock to the Presi-
dent He had already planned the
issuance Of the executive order which
will create the civil government Of
the Panama Canal Zone with
Goethals as the first governor. The
War Department already is in touch
with Goethals and word that he has
definitely declined Mayor Mitchell
offer to head the New York police
was expected shortly.
The fact that Goethals would even
Professionally consider an offer that
would take him out of the army is
due. army officers who know, say.
to the friction that has characterized
( the last year among those in charge
Of the canal work. The appointment
of Richard Metcalfe. as head of the
I existing civil administration was not
we'll received by Goethals The fact
that Metcalfe, lifelong friend and
associate OF Secretary of State Bryan
was acclaimed by his friends. in the
, States" as the next governor oi
Panama even before he sailed and
/ that when he landed he instituted
( Independent activities did not sit well
with the man who built the canal.
Goethals, his friends here say, in
sisted that he saw in it a plan tc
shelve him for a man whose chiei
claim to fame was that he was a sue
cessful politician.
Then, later on, after he had beer
assured by Secretary of War Garrison
that lie (GOethalsl was to be mad
head of the canal. camo q long della.
aud officers who know the noted en-
gineer say that it was only natura
that he should begin to look around
for another job.
The effect Of the entire develop
ment was expected to be issuance O
the Presidents order reorganizin
tho Canal Zone within the next woe
or ten days. And once with Goethal
i'm the saddle he is expected to max
il plain that he will elect to stay II
the army Under the Adamso
'act organizing the Panama Cana
, Goethals named Governor. does no
: have to be confined by the Senate
= The President is the sole judge Of nj
qualifications.
1t is known that IL appointed Gov
ernor. Gotheals plans 10 serve onl
until the canal is running properly
After that, Secretary Of the Interio
Lane said today. he Lanel wi
borrow him from the army TO bull
the Alaskan railway.
Colonel Goethals will be in th
United States next month TO atten
meetings Of the Panama Railwa
Company and to discuss with Tn
Secretary OF State and the Presider
matters pertaining to the Isthmia
government.
}, 1t was stated at the executive o.
/. fees today that the only informatio
+ President Wilson had regarding IN
new developments in Colonel Goethal
affairs is what he has CLEANED frol
e the newspapers. Because of this fa'
I the chief executive cannot take an
o action personally to reassure Colon
Goethals that his work in digging ii
=, csnal is appreciated, but Secretary
War Garrison is understood to hay
II already done so. Il was made plai
. in official circles that if Goethals r.
tires from the Government servic
r he will do so over the objections
II every high official of the administer
e ton.