Evening star., 1904-02-24
TO RULE CANAL STRIP
SENATOR KITTREDGE's PLAN OF
ADMINISTRATION.
Introduces Bill Providing for Board
of Three Governors, Who Shall
Make All the Laws.

Senator Kittredge introduced a bill after
the ratification of the Panama canal treaty
yesterday afternoon providing for tenn
porary government of the canal zone and
the protection of the works.
Ruled by Three Governors.
The bill creates board of governors,
consisting of three citizens of the United
States. not all OF whom shall be of the
same political party. and to be appointed
by the President and confirmed by the
Senate.
The legislative, administrative and ex-
ecutive 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
include the power to raise revenue.
As to Existing Law.
It is provided that laws of the United
States shall not extend to the isthmus -ex-
cept by being expressly made applicable;
goods not being the product or manufac-
ture of the territory coming to the United
States shall pay the same duties as goods
from foreign ports: the laws in force in
the republic of Panama on the date of the
exchange of ratifications of the treaty of
November Is, 1903, which are locally ap-
plicable in the territory, and not inconsist-
ent with the provisions of this act. shall
continue in force until altered or annulled
by the board of governors or by Congress,
or suspended by the President under the
powers herein conferred upon him. No
franchise rights. privileges or concessions
granted by the board of governors shall be
valid until approved by Congress
All laws passed by the board shall be re-
ported to Congress, which may alter or
amend them.
Duties of the Governors.
The board shall be charged with the duty
of maintaining order. perfecting the canal,
railroad and other property of the United
States, preserving health and promoting
morals and education in the said territory.
1t shall maintain adequate police force,
and, in case of exigency, may call upon any
land Or naval forces of the United States
within said territory to render assistance,
winch Shall be rendered under such rules
and orders as the President may make; 1t
shall enact laws and make regulations for
the above purposes in respect of the ter
ritory, and of the cities of Panama and
Colon, and the supplying of water to cities,
but the President also is authorized to en-
ploy officers of the army or navy for those
purposes.
The board shall have power by judicial
proceedings, and upon payment of due COM
pensaton, to acquire, for it's governmental
purposes, lands and buildings of private
ownership In the canal territory in the ex-
ercise of the rights of condemnation con-
ferred by the treaty. but all properly ac-
qu1red by the board in this or any other
manner shall be deemed to be property of
the United States
The board is forbidden to borrow money
or to issue bonds without the express au-
thor1ty or Congress, or to impose or collect
any tax, duty or charge of any kind upon
property belonging to the government of
the United States. or upon vessels using or
passing through the canal or upon their
cargoes or passengers The board NAV
grant pardons or repreves
The rights guaranteed by the Constitution
TO citizens of the United States are guar
anteed to the citizens of the canal strip by
the bill. ~
The bill was referred to the committee on
interoceanic canals