The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-18
THE PANAMA CANAL COMPANY.
Its Representatives Questioned Sharp
" by Members of Congress.


" by Members of Congress.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE new Pana-
ma canal company was given hearing to-
day before the House committee on COM
merce, in reference to it's project for an in
teroceanic canal. The hearing was in ac-
cordance with a recent determination of the
committee to hear all persons concerned
in an isthmian canal, including the Panama
as well as the Nicaragua projects. The
Panama delegation included Gen. Henry L.
Abbott, United States corps of engineers,
retired; Louis Choron, chief engineer of the
company; Mr.. Bayard, commercial repre-
sentative, and Messrs. Cromwell, Curtis and
Brown, as well as a number of technical
experts of the company. Prof Haupt of
the Nicaragua canal commission, also was
present.
In the opening statement Mr.. Cromwell
summed up the Panama project much the
same as General Abbott did in his recent
interviews. The hearing took on a very
spirited turn at the afternoon session by the
line of questioning conducted by Chairman
Hepburn, and Messrs. Mann, Stewart Adam
son and Davis. General ABBOTT said the Pana-
sl00. O00. 0C0 From the standpoint Of
any canal was built the govern
ment ought to have an impartial commits
Chief Engineer Choron followed with the de-
tails of the project. 1t was after these
statements that the sharp cross-question-
ing began. Mr.. Stewart wanted to know
what the poor people of France had paid
into the old Panama Canal Company, under
De Lesseps and his son. before its collapse
100000.
do you not expect to give back to these
poor people something for their vast con-
tribution?" asked Mr.. Stewart
1t was explained by several OF the canal
representatives present that percentage Of
the surplus incomes would go to these old
contributors. Messrs Hepburn and Mann
pressed for a showing of how the finances
WOULD be raised to carry out the project.
Mr.. Mann suggested that the only purpose
seemed to be to head off the Nicaragua
canal. In reply to Mr.. Stewart, Mr.. Crom-
we'll said the Panama enterprise would be
carried out without reference to the Mica
ragua route. Mr.. Mann sought to show by
a series of questions that the company s
$lO0, 100000 assets had cost it but $4,000 900
and an agreement relating to contingent
profits.
During this inquiry considerable warmth
Of feeling was shown on both sides. When
the company'S representatives expressed the
fullest confidence in the building of the Pan
anna canal Mr.. Mann, rather mockingly,
asked if they had amy more confidence
than De LeSsepS When members of the
committee asked if the company would give
q guaranty of it's financial ability to COM
plete the canal, 1t was stated by Mr. Crom-
well that an absolute guaranty, as good q
a United States bond would be given if
the company were given the assurance that
action antagonistic to its interests would not
be taken. Without any assurances. it was
said no positive financial guaranty would
be given.
Many Inquiries were made as to the pur-
pose of the company in appearing before
Congress: whether it was to head off a
rival" This was disavowed by the COM
pany's representatives, who said that they
were making no campaign against the Mica
ragua canal, but were combining their eff
forts to showing that the Panama route
was the best one and that it would be built
through the new Panama company without
recourse to government aid.