The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-01
why Col. Coethals Is Man
Most in Demand in i. S.
George w. Perkins Tells of Qualities Which Make Builde
of Panama Canal an Ideal Man for Police Commissioner
of New or<.-.Likey to Take the Office Eventually

- EVEN years ago, on February rs,
Col. George Washington Goethals
~ was made chief engineer OF the
Panama Canal. Previous to that
time he was little known outside his
associates In the army. To-day, as that
monumental work Is nearing completion,
municipalities an well as corporations
have been making strenuous efforts to
secure his future services.
Dayton. Ohio, wanted him to run the
city under the new commission form Ut
government. A firm in South Africa
offers him 100000 a year to look after
its properties. New York wants him
for Police Commissioner and the Gov
eminent wants him as Governor of the
Canal Zone. to which place he has just
been appointed by the President. 1t
looks as though New York may eventu-
ally secure his services
What are the characteristics of the
man Goethals that he should be
so widely sought after? Was he born
a genius or Is he merely an Industrious
worker aided by fortunate circum-
stances?
That Col. Cocktails Is largely respon-
sible for the successful completion Of
the canal and that in turn his success
has been largely due to the superb and
loyal organization that he has built up
and maintained in high state Of eff
cheney right from the start is univer-
sally admitted. IL It then this capacity
for organization that makes him at
tractive In the eyes of those who have
problems to solve involving the success
full handling of thousands of men?
II Is largely this very reason, accord
ing to no less an authority than George
w. Perkins, who recently returned from
the Canal Zone, where he went at the
instance Of Mayor Mitchell to interview
Col. Goethals in reference TO the Police
Commissionership Of New York 1t is
In a great measure due to Mr.. Perkins $
efforts that Col. Goethals was induced
to consider the post provided certain
conditions which he made known were
compiled with. Nor is Mr.. Perkins less
enthusiastic than the Mayor concerning
Col. Goethalss special fitness for the
place.
Knowing that 80 keen a Judge OF
men must have some very good rea =
sons for his active efforts to secure Col.
Goethals for the city Of New York. "A
representative of THE SrN called upon
MIR. Perkins with a view tn learning
something about the man whose ser
vices seem to be at a premium.
"Col. Cocktails il first of all a patriot
and his one ambition has been and Is
TO serve his country TO the best Of his
ability" said MIR Perkins. But the
chief characteristic of the man is his
human side: his ability to know and un-
derstand men. In fact his knowledge
Of men is remarkable
mo matter how great his ability n
a constructive engineer, the one thing
that stands out most prominently Is
the interest that he takes in the men
under him and his ability to interest
them in their work. This quality of
the man is best shown in his solving
Of the huge problem Of coordinatinr "A
force OF more than 10000 men OF many
nationalites into a compact. loyal and
enthusiastic organization. This in it.
SELF is one OF the greatest administra-
tive feats on record.
The spirit Of loyalty which has
characterized this splendid organization
Of men right from the beginning could