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From a photograph by G. V. Buck, Washington, D. C.

SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE VOL. LVII FEBRUARY, 1915 NO. 2 PERSONALITY OF COLONEL GOETHALS By Joseph Bucklin Bishop For nine years Secretary of the Isthmian Canal Commisson; author of " The Panama Gateway " ISAAC DISRAELI, in that most delightful of books, '' Curiosities of Literature,'' makes this observation, which is as true to-day as it was when written a cen­ coming familiar with the intellectual and moral qualities which form the basis of what is called character and which constitute the personality of a man. That Colonel Goethals has a distinct personality no one who knows him or has followed his career will deny. That it is a strong personality as well, every one who has been in the Canal service will testify without hesitation or qualification. It is customary to regard the construction of the Panama Canal as an engineering achievement, but it is in equal, if not in larger, degree an achievement in administration. The engineering problems were comparatively simple, being those of magnitude, the solution of which followed clearly defined and well-established scien­ tury ago: How superficial is that cry of some impertinent pretended geniuses of these times who affect to exclaim: 'Give me no anecdotes of an author, but give me his works !' I have often found the anecdotes more interesting than the works." In conversation a few years ago with John Hay I cited this utterance in support of something that he was saying to the same effect, whereupon he added (I quote from memory): "Real history is not to be found in books, but in the personal anecdotes and private letters of those who tific lines. The problems in administration make history. These reveal the men were new and there were no prece­ themselves and the motives that actuate dents in American experience from which them, and give us also their estimate of to obtain light for guidance. those who are associated with them. No The Canal force has been referred to one should ever destroy a private letter frequently as being in the position of an that contains light on public men, or willingly let die an illuminating anecdote dis­ partial. An army in the field is under the army in the field. The parallel is only closing their individuality." absolute control of its commanding general In what I am about to write concerning from the moment of its departure for the personality of Colonel Goethals I shall the scene of action. This control is the follow mainly the idea thus outlined. I established order of the military system shall endeavor to portray him as he revealed and is unquestioned. The Canal force, himself to me during seven years of intimate association in which he honored like an army, was in the field, two thousand miles from its base of supplies, but me with his confidence and admitted me when assembled on the Isthmus it was an to the inestimable privilege of his personal army of civilians, and there was no established friendship. Throughout that period I authority for its absolute control by was a constant observer of his official acts, the man at its head. Every member of it of the methods by which he met and knew this. Not only did the rank and solved the problems which pressed upon file know it, but the subordinate officials him incessantly for consideration, thus be­ knew it. Experience was to show that it Copyright, 1915, by Charles Scribner's Sons. All rights reserved. VOL. LVII.—13 129

From a photograph by G. V. Buck, Washington, D. C.

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