The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-02-25
COMMENCEMENT
AT PANAMA

Panama, Feb. 25.-It is, in many re-
spects, very much like a college COM
mencement eason on the isthmus just
now. From the thousands Of men VINO
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 l. a sort of Alma Mater senti-
ment expressed by many in the hope
that they will return to the scene or
their engineering triumphs for further
service of some sort. A majority OF
the men who are laying down their
books and shovels T going away
with no other diploma than pride in
having participated in a monumental
work. That is enough to bind many
men together and it may be no sur
prise that some such organization as
the Canal Diggers' Alumni association
Is an o3tgrowth Of this common pride.
There is general satisfaction ex-
pressed that the chief engineer will
stay until the last, and overlap Tor q
time at least as the civil governor OF
the canal zone. But this appointment
Of Col. George w. Cocktails as govern
or is practically the only definite an
S"SI NulElt Lie UtABSt AlCh VI khS ~""A
al work have been. given as to what
next Tor a big job.
With Colonel Cocktails appointment
Richard l.. Mctcalfe, who had been In
charge Of the civil administration, and
Joseph Bucklin Bishop, secretary OF
the canal commission, are winding up
their work. MI. Metcalfe will probab-
w return soon to the United States.
but he declares that reports that he
intends to enter the race for the gov
ernorship of Nebraska are erroneous.
He asserts that 1t is not his present
intention to do so. leaving his future
an open question.
It Is generally understood in the
zone that Secretary Bishop will be ap-
pacity of official historian of the canal
1t Is intimated that this is the wish OF
| Coolnel Goethals who believes that the
official history Of the canal should be
compiled while the undertaking IL
fresh in the minds Of those who took
part in it and by a man who was as
intimately associated with 1t as was
ably remain here until the official OPP
ening of the waterway, set for Janu-
airy, 1915.
Among the division engineers who
have lately been relieved Of their du-
ties is Lieut-Col. William L. Sibert
Inc COIlCTSLS IldU > r1S WAS an Ciidi ~
Of the construction OF all concrete
work on the Gatun locks, dam ant
spillway. Where he will so when the
lIsthmian Canal commission ceases tt
exist on April l is another open ques.
ton, but In IN quarters it lis believ.
ed that the construction Of the project.
ed Alaskan railway may furnish 4
suitable field for his activities, as i
will for many who have finished theil
work here.
Every one believes that Colonel w
lC. Gorgas, the sanitary expert who rit
the isfhn1us of FyeIlow fever pests, an
who Isl now engaged in a great sani
tary work in South Africa. will b.
the next surgeon-geaeral of the arm.
E. III. Rosseau, the naval egginee
who has always been regarded Al
Colonel Goetials' right hand man, wil
probably remain on the istiir11s unit
the finishing touches have been give,