Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-07
BACK FROM PANAMA
CONGRESSIONAL VISITORS PLEAS
ED WITH THEIR TRIP.
Relieve That Good Results Will FOLLOW
Object Of Mr.. shacklefords
Proposed Inquiry.

| LEGISLATION in behalf of the overseas IN
| forests ~ the United States will be an I'M
nortant feature of the general leglslatioh
oY this Congress. Panama affairs VIII pe
Talon nm first. and the Philippines VIII
come along soon after for attention.
Tho congressional committee which went
to Panama during the recess nave retui neu
TO Washington, replete with valuable IN
formation gained on the trip. Members Oh
the committee say that the trip produced
results which will prove of great value IN
forming legislation for the canal zone.
This Congress will be called upon 10
frame system of government 1or the
canal territory, and to put INTO enee. ,ne
treaty agreements reached between Secre-
tary Taft and the Panama repuphc on INC
questions of customs, etc.
Pleased With the Prospects.
The returning members of the committee
exnress themselves as highly pleased with
the prospect of successful completion or
the canal project They think that the
United States will make a short and good
lob of the undertaking in which France
failed.
Representative Shackleford of missouri,
who was a member of the congressional
party that visited the isthmus, has intro
duced a resolution providing Tor an inquiry
into the affairs of the Panama railway.
1t is stated that one or the chle1 oDJectS
of the investigation proposed by the reso-
luton is to learn whether the Panama
railroad paid out dividends amounting to
about 100000 In excess OF gross earnings,
and also to discover to whom the money
went. 1t is also desired to learn, through
the inquiry, whether or not there Is an ex,
listing contract between the railroad and
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company to
control the commerce of the isthmus. The
third object of Mr.. Shackleford's measure
is to learn whether the railroad cannot be
economically managed from the isthmus,
or whether it is necessary to continue the
New York Offices at a cost of 100000
year.
The Resolution.
The resolution is as follows:
whereas, the United States is now the
owner of more than % per cent of the
shares of the capital stock of the Panama
Railway Company, and it is for that rea-
son expedient that Congress should have
full knowledge of the affairs of said com
pany therefore De II
Resolved, That the CON mittee on inter-
hereby directed, to investigate the opera
tion, management and condition of said
railway company and all franchises ana
property belonging thereto, including
steamships owned operated or controlled
by It, That said committee make such IN
vestigations and report the testimony with
their conclusions thereon as soon as posi-
BILE. and that said committee any duly
appointed subcommittee thereof shall have
power to examine any or all records, books,
documents, accounts and vouchers of said
company any officer or agent thereon
or of any person. company or corporation
which may have had any agreements or re-
lations with said railway company, and all
records and minutes of the acts and pro-
oeedings of any meeting OF the Stockholm,
ers or directors of said railway company.
The resolution then confers the usual
powers upon the committee-to admins
ter oaths and employ necessary clerical
help.