The San Francisco call., 1904-02-24
Bill Is introduced to
Govern Canal
Territory.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
Kittredge of South Dakota, a member
of the Interoceanic Canal Committee
after the ratification of the canal treaty
! to-day introduced bill to provide for
| temporary government Of the Panama
canal territory and the protection of
the canal works and for other purposes
connected with construction of the
canal.
The first section creates the Panama
board of governors, consisting of three
citizens OF the United States, not all of
whom shall be of the same political
party, to be appointed by the Presi-
dent and confirmed by the Senate.
Until Congress shall otherwise pro-
vide, according to the second section,
the legislative, executive and admin
istrative powers possessed by Congress
and the privileges of the United States
on the isthmus of Panama shall be
vested in the board of governors. The
powers so vested shall include the
power to raise revenue.
Senator Kittredge says some modifi-
cation of the provision for the board of
governors may be necessary when ths
duties of the Isthmian Canal Commits
sion shall have been determined if
the commission is TO have charge of
the work of construction and is to be
sometimes on the isthmus and some
times in the United States the board
will be necessary, but in case it shall
be determined that a sufficient num-
Der of commissioners shall be residents
of the canal strip to constitute a gov
ernment the board of governors may be
dispensed with and the duties of the
board devolve upon the commission.
Section contains the bill of rights
of the United States constitution, with
some additional restrictions which pro-
vide that all moneys collected for
special purpose shall be treated as
special fund and paid out only for such
purposes; that the laws of the United
States, except such as are expressly
made applicable to the territory, shall
not extend to the territory; that goods
not the product or manufacture of the
territory coming to the United States
shall pay the same duties as goods from
foreign ports: that the laws in force
in the republic of Panama on the date
OF exchange of ratifications for the
treaty on November Is, 1903, and which
are locally applicable in said territory
and not inconsistent with the provisions
of this act, shall continue in force in
said territory until altered or annulled
by the board of governors or by Con-
gress or suspended by the President
under the powers conferred on him by
the bill.
CONGRESS TO CONFIRM LAWS.
Section 4 declares that all laws passed
by the board shall be reported to Con-
gress, which reserves the power to alter
or annul the same. Until expressly
confirmed by Congress, the President
is given power to suspend by procla-
nation, in whole or in part, the ope-
ration Of any law passed by the board
which he shall find TO interfere with
the performance of powers or duties
of the president of the Isthmian Canal
Commission under the Spooner act or
the Kittredge bill.
Section says the Board of Cover
nors shall be charged with the duty of
maintaining order, protecting the ca
nal, railroad and other property of the
United States, preserving health and
promoting morals and education in the
canal territory. 1t shall maintain an
adequate police force and in case of
exigency may call on any land or naval
forces of the United States within the
territory to render assistance, which
shall be rendered under such rules and
orders as the President may make; it
shall enact laws and make regulations
for the purposes aforesaid in respect
of the canal territory, and of the cities
of Panama and Colon and for the sup
plying of water to said cities.
Section 6 gives the board power by
judicial proceedings and upon payment