New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-09
~ AND OUT or CONGRESS-.
THE PANAMA RAILROAD AND THE PRO
POSED CANAL.
SECRETARY TRACY BEFORE THE SENATE
NAVAL COMMITTEE DUTY OK FROZEN HER
RINGs-DECIsION IL AN ELECTION
CONTEST - PREPARATIONS FOR
THE FUNERAL or GEN
ETAI. GlI;loN
EEAl. GIllpoN.

ERAr. GHHoN.
Washington. Feb. s-Somethins about the Pana-
ma railroad and the proposed Panama Canal Is told
IN a report received AT the state Department from
Victor VifGua,n United States ConsuGeneral AT
Panama Nh Vifquan says that the business OF
the transit Ines would be much larger II the rates
OF the Panama Railroad were established so as 10
suit shippers on the Pacific Coast. Rates are hsh
and a great deal Of coffee is taken from Central
America by German steamers going around the
Horn dIrec; 10 Hamburg and Hivre. So are valu-
able timber taken 10 Italy and England and wheat
and barley from California. II IL generally con-
coded Mr Vifqulin says. that the Panama Rail
road ha- seen its best days in the transit business.
although the transit has increased yearly during
the last five years The night between the Panama
Railroad and the Pacific Mail steamship Company"
he says. has caused much loss 10 the cash value
OF the transit business bCt the Increase o. acreage
In coffee lands has been SO great in Central America
that notwithstanding the tight between the two
corporations. the increase In the transit could not
be held down even tn )Ish there may have been
reduction in the cash receipts. am told that the
Pacific Mail steamship Companys steamers In the
Pac.nc have taken much coffee to San Francisco 70
be resh.pped there on the southern Pdclhc Railroad
for New-Orleans. whore Ii IS reshpped 70 Europe
Then. too. there is the railroad being BULL froa
the city Of Guatemala to Puerto Barrios, CUR OF
Honduras which It Is said. viii. be completed with
Steamship Company Ohis new road being controlled
by C. Z. Huntingdon viii be able TO 90 very much
ownership and foreign MANAGEMENT. the Ameri-
corporation known the Panama Railroad VIII
continue to thrive. whether there be a canal not.
commercial and international. inasmuch Euro
pean tendencies seem bent. either for self-preservl
ton from international Jealousy, TO undermine
and destroy the United States prestige In this part
of the world. My firm belief is that there will be
a canal built within the next decade.
Ex-Secretary Tracy. Of New-York. before the
Senate Committee on Nava Affairs for almost four
hours to-day making a statement on the investiga-
ton under way relative to prices paid for armor
plate alleged overcharges the ownership OF patents.
etc Mr.. Carnegie ana several OF his employees are
ing is conducted behind closed doors.
communication laid before the House to-day
from the Secretary OF the Treasury replying 70
House resolution regarding the erection or the pup
lie building at Wilmington. Del. says that the
structure IL now under roof. the approaches are
complete and the plasterrg virtually Nhisheu' =. a., 20
expected that the building Will De coinpi.sosa ose rs
the present calendar year Up 10 ua'e |---'"0- "
been expended on H.
Assistant Secretary Hamlin has instructed Coi-
,oc,or p,cbordson at Gloucester Mass 10 ie'y
duty on all frozen behring's imported from io'.s"
vaters This action is taken to test 'ne question
..sa,har frozen behring's. the product OF American
ashar,a. are subject to duty. Under the present
ra.urv regulations frozen herrings the product
=. .s.r,.ar fisheries are free. but, while this is
,arv American vessels employ foreign help at
~. Newfoundland fisheries or purchase hsh already