The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-19
Mr.. MORGAN AFTER FACTS
An Investigation of Jstbmian Cara!
Matters Proposed.
The Senator Introduces n Resolution
Providing for nm Enquiry Into
tions With Various Waterways
Panama Company's Proposition.

Dealings of Persons and Corpora.
Panama Company's Proposition
Mr.. Morgan yesterday addressed the
Senate on the subject Of the Nicarague
Canal and offered a resolution instructine
the Committee on Inter-Oceanic Canals t,
investigate the dealings of persons ana
corporations with proposed ship canals il
the 1sthmus of Darien, through Panama
and through Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Mr.. Morgan reviewed the history of ths
Panama Canal Company and its financial
condition at the present time He men
toned the fact of communications from
the director general of the New Panama
Canal Company, proposing that the Ameri-
can Government shall identify itself witt
that company, and said that such a course
would involve the Government in very
serious diplomatic troubles with France.
1T is, he said, IAN absolute impossi-
bility for the Government of the United
States to accept the proposition. The prop
osition as presented is on its face SO alb
surd that it can hardly be considered
worthy Of investigation but for the fac,
that it is pressed In every possible form
and at every possible moment of time
He went on to say that as late as April
30, 1900, that foreign corporation-bank-
rupt, discredited by the Hayes Admins
tration, discredited by its own conduct. had
addressed communication to the Presi-
dent in relation 10 a bill pending in the
House Of Representatives. Such queer
conduct had induced him (Mr. Morgan) to
propose an investigation. There were Two
corporations. organized under charter of
TIE State Of New Jersey, one with a capt.
tai OF s25.000.00e. and one with a capital
G sl0o.000,o00 for the purpose of acquir-
Ing caaai concessions and rights
An Investigation Invited.
II invite the Senate" he said, Ito ex-
anime these charters carefully, and 1t will
be ascertained at once that 1t is the duty
of the Senate 10 make an investigation for
the purpose of breaking down and checking
and forestalling the vastest and most COM
prehensive monopoly that has ever been
inaugurated In the United States under
charters granted by the State of New Jer-
sey. / may be asked do expect to delay
comes out as to what these marauders are
doing on the lsthmus of Darien. do not
On the contrary, the object of the investi-
CATION is to enable the President of the
United States to check. escape from, coun-
teract, and destroy this conspiracy against
the highest rights of the people and Gov
eminent Of the United States'
He recited the relative merits of the
Nicaragua and Panama routes, and the
offers made by the latter company.
1T is an absolute impossibility for the
Government of the United States to ac-
cept this offer" said he. land all honest
men advise against it, Why, these Pana-
ma people have dared to instruct the
President as to whom the latter shall and
shall not appoint on the investigating COM
mission. This is a great piece of impu-
dence."
Mr.. Morgan read from the reports of
the Panama Company and the letters Of
its officials. to show how useless it would
be to accept the offers made.
The House has passed this BILL" said
he. by good majority. 1t has spurned
this foreign bankrupt company, and yet 1t
has come to the President and asked him
to take some action. l have learned that
for the purpose of monopolizing the water
ways of the isthmus, two companies have
been organized in New Jersey. This
monopoly must be broken down by the
Senate of the United States. / don't want
any delay in this matter. The President
can break down this monopoly, and We
can go ahead at once"
Mr.. MorEnn's Resolution.
Mr.. Morgan then offered the following
which went over until he de-
sires to call it up:
iyad ar rhe Inf
Oceanic canals he and are hereby instructed
10 enquire, examine, and report whether any
and what combination OF persons or OF any
porations, is formed is in process OF lorna
tion, is engaged in any plan or enterprise
having for its purpose the monopoly or control
Of any ship canal railway the Isthmus
1t Darien, at Panama, or in the States Of Nicara-
qua and Costa Rica. That said committee will
ascertain and report whether such combination
,r agreement is obstructive OF the policy of the
United States 10 own and control ship canal |
lcross the ktlirnus of BARREN. or whether it is |
designed or contemplated by such agreement to |
Interfere with or to hinder or ohstruet the I
United States Government in its diplomatic or
ther Intercourse with any foreign Government on |
he subject OF a ship canal across such isthmus,
II whether such action on the part OF such per-
ons would have such eject if il is or shall here
liter be carried into execution.
Section 2. Said committee is instructed 10 |
inquire and report whether such plan or pur-
'ose as is mentioned or described in section
Of these resolutions has the sanction of The
avs of the State 0; Ne,s Jersey or any other
State u this Union. and whether under such
avs such corporation or other association Of
,ersons claims the authority TO interfere with
he laws or TO control the rights OF the peoule
4 France, or any other foreign country, in re.
poet Of any isthrnan canal, or to exercise
my corporate or other powers, rightiully or
therwise, in every such country; and whether
he liberation Of such preiensions and efforts |
" the Government Of the United States is cal. |
ulated to enbarrass the friendly intercourse Of |
he United States with France, or any other |
oreign country.
Section 9. That said committee is further d. !
ecfcd TO enquire and report whether every such
'lan or effort is mentioned or described in |
ection ] CT these resolutions is being pro-
noted or has been promoted by the use of money
n the United States, CT elsewhere, or by issues
3 promises TO issue the bonds or stock or scrip
r debentures, OF any corporation in the United |
tates or in France, In any other country |
md generally TO investigate such transactions
o as TO reach the real merits of the same and
he conduct and purposes of the persons er cor
orstions engaged in the same, TO ascertain
neither the same are honest dishonest OF are
,wful unlawful.
Section I. In executing the orders contained in
hese resolutions said committee may hold its
ssons during the sessions of the Senate or in !
he vacation recess OF Congress; and such ses-
ons may be held the call of the chairman
the committee, at any place in the United
tates.
Section S. The committee is empowered to |
nd for persons and papers, and TO examine
illnesses, uncer oath, TO be administered by the
lairInsn, or by any member of the committee; |
I'D for the purpose Of conducting the examination
witnesses. and by order Of the committee
nee members thereof shall constitute a quorum |
Section g. The committee may employ stenog-
pliers 10 take down and repor, The testimony
the witnesses. and may cause the same to be |
tinted, from time 10 time and in confidence,
r the use OF the committee, at the Government |
riEiing Office, in Washington, d. c.
Section Z. The necessary expenses of travel
the committee, its clerks and stenographers. |
ID Tor stationery, and for the ATTENDANCE and |