The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1914-03-12
Panama Canal Classes Are Being Gradu-
ated.


have been taking long courses in prac
tical canal building classes are being
graduated almost daily, a commence
ment season which will probably con-
tinue for many months.
Men who have put in the full course
might be believed to welcome release
from the tropics, but on every hand
there is a sort OF Alma Mater senti'
ment expressed by many in the hope
that they will return to the scene Of
their engineering triumphs for further
service Of some sort.
A majority Of the men who are lay
ing down their books and shovels are
going away with no other diploma than
pride in having participated in monu'
mental work.
That is enough to bind many men
together and it may be no surprise that
some such organization as the Canal
Oiggers Alumni association is an out
growth Of the common pride.
There is general satisfaction express
cd that the chief engineer will stay un-
Ill last, and overlap for time at
least as the civil governor Of the canal
zone. But this appointment OF Colonel
George W. Goethals as governor is
practically the only definite answer
which the bigger man Of the canal
work have been given as 10 what next
for big job.
With Colonel Goethals' appointment
Richard L. Metcalie who had been in
charge Of the civil administration, and
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, secretary OF
the Canal commission, are winding up
their work. Mr.. Metcalie will prob
ably return soon to the United States
but he declares that reports that he
intends to enter the race for the gov
enorship Of Nebraska are erroneous.
He asserts that it is not his present in
tention to do so, leaving his future an
open question.
1t is generally understood in the
zone that Secretary Bishop will be ap-
pointed by President Wilson in the
capacity Of official historian of the ca
nal. 1t is intiminate that this is the
wish Of Colonel Goethals who believes
that the official history OF the canal
should be compiled while the under
taking is fresh in the minds oil those
who took part in it, and by man who
was as intimately associated with it as
was Mr.. Bishop. The secretary will
probably remain here until the official
opening Of the waterway, set for Janu'
ary 1915.
Among the division engineers who
have lately been relieved Of their du
ties is Lieutenat Colonel William l.
Sibert the concrete man." He wa.
in charge of the construction Of all con
crete work on the G4tun locks, dan
and spillway. Where be will 20 wher
the Isthmian Canal commission cease;
to exist on April 1st is another oper
question, but in some quarters it il
believed that the construction Of tht
projected Alaskan railway may iurnisl
suitable field for his activities, as
will for many who have finished thei
work here.
Everyone believes that Colonel W
c, Gorgas, the sanitary expert who rit
the isthmus Of yellow fever pests, AM
who is now engaged in great sani
tary work in South Africa, will be tn,
next surgeon-general Of the army.
H. H Rosseau, the naval enginee
who has always been regarded as Col
onel Goethals' right hand man vii
probably remain on the Isthmus uni
the finishing touches have been give
all the docks and shops at both end
OF the Canal. At Bllboa this work, i
his charge, has only just begun an
notwithstanding the headway that
being made daily it is apparent that
will be at least another year before th
building which will serve as the iutur
headquarters OF the canal force and th
naval shops and dry docks will b
ready to turn over to other hands.
Even with this done it IS believe
that Col. Goethais will find furtht
need OF his right hand" man in col
nection with the canal operation.
Lieutenant Colonel H. F. Hodge
United States Corps Of Engineers,
another Of the constructors OF Ii
great waterway whose services will
required until at least the end Of II
present year. His work has been
IooL;ro after tho ;nnnoytant aisciy;c