The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-17
PAY OF CANAL COMMISSIONERS
MORGAN WANTS SALARIES FINED
BEFORE APPOINTMENT.
Senator Says lie Can't Say How Much
Members Got. but He's Dccn Told II
Was o. 400 . MOnth-ss. 900 u Year
He Thinks EnOuEh-COai Conf erecs.

TsUOuku-&OoI OUIeftet.
WASHINGTON. Dec. I8-Mr Morgan
Dem.. Ala called up In the Senate
to-day his bill fixing the salaries of
Isthmian Canal Commissioners and asked
its reference TO the lnteroceanic Canal
Committee He said he thought the sal
aries of canal officials should be fixed be-
fore their appointment by the President,
In order to relieve him from the scramble
for the places. Mr.. Morgan thought the
salary Of Commissioners should be fixed at
5000 year, and that Of the chief en-
gineer at $4,000. The bill also provides
for a paymaster-in-chef at S., 900. detailed
from the army. to handle funds under
military law. and chief surgeon at 5000.
A discussion arose over the salaries paid
to the Isthmian Cana Commission. Mr.
Morgan said he tried his lest to learn what
salaries were paid, and had been unable to
get the information. In response TO reso-
luton OF the Senate. the State Department
had replied that $500 900 had been expended
Il was not satisfied with this said Mr.
Morgan. and l telegraphed to Mr.. Hay
yesterday. asking for more detailed infor-
nation. He replied that he accounts
were In the Office Of the Auditor for the
State Department, and that it would take
some time TO prepare the figures"
Mr. Hale wanted to know what salaries
had been paid to the Canal Commissioners
Mr.. Morgan--I have been told that the
Commissioners received $1,000 a month
for twenty nine and onehalf months.
Mr.. Hale-And how much time did they
spend in Central American
Mr.. Morgan-Two weeks at Panama and
ak weeks at Nicaragua. / quote from
Col. Ernst report.
Mr.. Cockrell-And their expenses besides
Mr. Morgan-And their expenses 1t
only shows that something should be done
right now to get M these figures.
Il do not criticise anything" said Mr.
Morgan. that the Canal Commission has
done, but l want 10 emphasize the fact
that before We strike one lick upon the
work OF Construction We should take steps
TO prevent a duplication of the enormous
frauds Of the old Panama Canal Company
and the new one, too
Mr.. Morgan presented a report by Col.
Ernst. upon which he causti Cally COM
mented. The programme outlined by
these commissioners he said, might
be taken up by the Philippine Government
say, but IL would be unfortunate if II were
carried out. Among other things 1t pro-
vides for a board Of control al the city
Of Washington at salaries of $4,000 each
AZ well as a cabinet of engineers, Nc. ]
think the President OF the United States
should have something to say about such
2 programme. and mat SHARES should be
fixed by Congress
The bin was referred TO the Committee
on In'eroceaniC Canals.
bill doubling the number Of copies
Of the Congressional Record allowed to
each Senator and Representative was re-
ported by Mr.. Plat Of New York and it
WAS passed
Nessrs. Allison, Hale ard Cockrell were
appointed conferees on tn bill approprat-
ing $4,000 for the expenses of the coal
strike arbitration commission
Mr.. Beveridge 1Rep., Ind suggested
that as many So ators were about to 60
home for the hol davs. debate on the State
hood lill after the conclusion of Mr.. Diling-
hams speech b. deferred until Jan. s
This was agreed to.
Mr. Dilin CHAM CRep., VIZ resume his
speech on the statehood bill, devoting his
attention Ia the claims Of Arizona for ad-
mission ia the Union.
Mr.. Teller dem. Col said he wanted
to speak before the holiday recess, lin
answer 10 the SANDER, to put II mildly, Of
New Mexico, by the Senator from YER
mont" He afterward decided to post
pone his speech until after the vacation.