The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-05-19
Will Buy In Europe
UNCLE SAM CAN PURCHASE
CANAL M A T E RIAL
CHEAPER ABROAD.
To Practice Rigid Economy
Executive Committee of
Panama Canal Commission
Decides to Purchase Sup
plies in the Old World.


plies in the Old World.
The Executive Committee of
the Isthmian Canal Commission
recently decided to purchase in
the markets of the world the
material and ships necessary for
the building of the Panama canal.
This important decision was
reached with some reluctance,
because it was appreciated by
Secretary Taft and the Executive
Committee that there would be
great ontcry from two great inter
ests in this country, the producers
of material and the ship owners,
if the purchases were not limited
to American products. But it
was decided that the money con-
sideration was so great that it
could not be ignored. for it was
held that in certain cases fully
% per cent. more would be
charged here for the material
needed in canal construction
than the same goods could I've
procured for in Europe.
THE PRICE OF SHIPS ABROAD.
Chief Engineer Wallace showed
that two ships, in addition to
those running between New York
and Colon and owned by the
Panama Railroad Company. were
absolutely necessary to carry the
food supplies and material needed
for the work. No American ships
could be bought at any reason.
able price, and when it came to
building such ships it was found.
according to Secretary Tafl's
statement, that while lie could
buy two 5000 ton ships in Eu
rope for S750,0OO it would cost
Sl.4OO,0O0 to build such ships
here. In addition, while the
European ships could be had at
once, it would take at least Is
months to secure American ships.
Therefore it was decided TO buy
the ships in Europe, or rather in
any port where they could he had
cheapest and obtained III O s t
quickly.
As the material needed for
canal construction, the commit
tee decided that by reserving to
itself the right to purchase in the
worlds markets it would at least
oblige American manufacturers
to give tie benefit of their foreign
prices if they wish to sell goods
to the committee.
ENDORSED BY MR.. TAFT.
Secretary Taft explained re.
Gently that he felt obliged to
indorse this decision because.
having. given Congress every
opportunity to give contrary
direction, he felt that the very
terms of the canal act provided
that it should be constructed at
the lowest possible cost. In this
connection he called attention to
the following recommendation
contained in the first report Of
the lsthmian Canal Commission:
IAN important question of pol.
dry is yet to be determined. II
the lsthmian Canal Commission
are not bound by any restriction
OF Congress as TO where they
shall purchase machinery, mater
iai and supplies it would seem to
be their duty to construct the
caual as cheaply as possible and
so 10 buy what they need where
they can get it the cheapest.
This, however, is certain to pro
duce, every time that a large
contract is awarded to a foreign
manufacturer or dealer, an cutlery
on the part of the American un.
successful competitors. If Con.
gress approves the policy of favor
ing American manufacturers aud
dealers, even if it increases the
cost of the construction of the
canal then it seems to be
only just that it should declare
this policy by law and lay down
rule which the com mission can
easily follow"