New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-21
PANAMA C0MPANY'S BILL.
Doubt about Payment of 81 900, 900
for Extra Work.
FROM TIT TRIBUNE BURE&u. ]


washington, May civilian Nelson Cromwell,
counsel for the Panama Canal Company, was one
OF the Presidents callers to-day. Mr.. Cromwell
visited The White House to inform the President
mat the three commissioners who are coming
from Panama TO collect the remainder Of The
money due to the new republic would in all pro-a-
ollIty reacn Washington next Thursday and would
ike 20 sAake his hand. President Roosevelt told
MI cromwell thaJ ne would be Dl~lsed to meet
the men from Panama Mr.. Cromwell gave the
President description of me scene in Paris at the
formal transfer of the canal deeds to the United
States After his interview the President NJ
Cromwell said:
e. wish thar had picture Of that scene IN
shall collect the individual photographs, however,
OF me men VINO took part IN the ceremony, ana
whole transaction - nv mind vas me courteous
and friendly spirit shown by the French people
toward the Americans before during and after the
transfer Instead OF showing any. resentment o.
terpIise one saw on all sides onIF friendly Smiles
viii The whole French people seem 10 be glad
that the Inlshy proJect Is now 70 De p[u45las S "a
successor VI corc-EsloR IAey WIS., Us soyl2p IL
me worn ana are sincere in the expression. -,
The commissioners that have been APPOINTED oy
coming 10 collect the balance Of 100000 due
While here they viii also confer with the govern
T3.rsv,a IN - ga ra-fe TIE scheme now under
consideration j. To make the monetary system OF
the United States so that the money Of the two
countries can circulate on the canal zone inter
changeabiy. Az present there is practically noth-
ing in use down there but Colombian silver. which
IS OF hGcfHiitlnS cttfi1e Ter anu no a. a. "a 80
on the canal strip or the Republic OF Panama 70
soners Who are coming viii be clothed with fun
powers 10 take the Sse9oo7 due the republc PACK
home invest IT. II has not yet been determined
Is 9robofI la II zti he saeeiv iieposed or in
such manner that It may be the foundation OF the
new financial system 10 he established Il IS quite
probable that the commissioners viii make
short tour around the country before they go home
They viii und ,ubredIv see the St Louis Exposi-
ton. among other points Of interest
The only thing OF Importance remaining 10 be
OF cor1neneation due the Panama Canal Company
for work done the canal since the appralse rent
been done since TIE experts in the employ OF the
United States fixed the value OF the property az
100000 IT is only right and proper that they
should Ia ~efr7 bu-sad for r. The amount is some
thing mora than s. COZ 000-exacrIy how much can
not say. That however IS mere matter of book
dent viii be asked 10 arbitrata the matter
It is said in official circles that the Panama Canal
Company's bill for 100000 or more for extra
work on the canal NAV have some hard shedding
before fl gets through the auditing department OF
the government About fourteen months ago Sec
rotary HAY and Mr.. Cromwell representing the
Panama Canal Company. had conference over
the matter. but no definite decision reached
a. to whether the United States or the canal COM
pany should bear the expense Of keeping the
machinery in order. the railroad running and the
ditch free from water until the United States
came into possession. An agreement was reached
leave the affair as II stood. the Panama com
pany 70 continue the employment or the
needed and II AZ some future tine it decided
that the United States ought 10 bear the expense
the company was 10 be reimbursed Since that
tine the United States has kept a careful eye on
the canal strip. and * is no exagBerat!ol TO say
that army officers who have been on the sthusus
know just how many have been employed.
the supplies that have been used and how much
money the company has expended In various
other ways on the big cut L The bin the COM
pany presents taIles pretty well with The reports
made by the United States army officers there viii
probably be little trouble placed ~ the way Of
payment II. the other hand, * - found THAI
the company has turned iu account f0r
amount much IN excess % our own estimate a
good deal o. arbitration" VIII he required 20
straighten the taas!e. Considering The fact
that no bitterness has yet been injected into the
negotiations. all parties connected with the matter
trust that none VIII appear spoil the cup % good