The news & observer., 1905-12-07
BRIEF DEBATE ON
THE CANAL BILL
To be Put on Final Pas
sage Today.
THERE Is CRITICISM
Directed at the Statement of Expendi
lures and Estimates by the Canal
Commission. A Blow at In.
suraHce Companies Furnish
ing Campaign Funds.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Dec. 6.-With an OPP
portunity for unlimited debate on the
subject of the Panama Canal, the
House exhausted its oratory on that
subject in a session of four and three
quarter hours today The bill appropri-
ating $16, 10000 for canal work,
which was the subject of discussion
Will be read for amendment and
placed on its final passage tomorrow
The feature of the debate was the crit
icism indulged in by both Republicans
and Democrats relating the incom-
pleteness of the statement of eXpendi-
lures and estimates furnished by the
canal commission.
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa. reviewed the
canal work stating that $4,000, 900
had been expended and that particular
attention had been paid to housing
employees on the Isthmus and in re-
habilitating the machinery the French
company had left there.
There was q pay roll on the isthmus
containing the names OF more than
1900 persons. They were paid twice
Il month and there would be no funds
to meet the payment due December
8, uuless the bill should pass. Re-
plying TO a question by Mr.. Littleheld
of Maine, as to the amount Which had
been expended for salaries, Mr.. Hep
Durn said he could make the general
statement that there We're 26 salaries
over $4,000; between $4,000 and
$1,000; So between $4,000 and $1,000
and 136 betwenn $4,000 and $4,000
These including engineers and persons
of high skill 1t was stated in reply
10 G. r. Lands that the value of the
Panama Railway stock had been esti-
hated at $7,000,000 but Mr.. Hepburn
could not recall the estimated value
placed on the machiner and equip
ment before it was purchased by the
United States.
"But it was asserted was it not
continued Mr.. lands, "that this ma
chinery was valuable and the equip
ment was such as could be utilized? ?"
"It was" replied Mr.. Hepburn.
Mr. Fitzgerald. of New York. said
he had been informed that $4,000 a
wear was being paid ta "preSS agent
in this city. Mr.. Hepburn said he
knew nothing of such an employe.
'But does the gentleman think that
this is a necessary appropriation Z?
asked Mr.. Fitzgerald.
II do not think it would equal II
usefulness an Irishlnan who could wei
WELD "a shovel" answered Mr.. Hep
burn.
But that is hardly a good defense
OF a $4,000 appropriation under
department of this government, re
torted Mr.. Fitzgerald
Mr. Hepburn said he had not hearC
from it before He did not believe i
a proper appropriation of the cana
fund
Mr.. Williams suggested that an es
innate be secured from the commit
tee as to the amount necessary tt
carry on the work in the isthmus unit
January.
Mr. Tawney (Minn). suggested
that the instruction to the canal com
mission be for detailed and classi
fed" or "itemiZed" statement for ex
penditures.
Williams Takes the Floor.
The floor was yielded to Mr.. Will
liams (Miss.), who gave notice of Ger
tain amendments he should offer t
the bill later He declared the cana
a non-partisan question. Its benefits
to the South would be great. No in
dividual could claim credit for the
canal. The principal amendment M
should offer would be to strike ou
the sum of SIC, ,500,0 600 in the bill ant
insert an amount he should endeavo
to ascertain as the amount actuall!
necessary to carry on the work unit
January 1, next.
Asserting that there were at leaS
100000 600 belonging to the Unlte(
States now on deposit without interes
in national banks, Mr.. Williams Salt
he should object to the issuance o
bonds on which per cent interes
should be paid to secure money t
build the canal. Failing in striking
out the entire bonding provision, III
should move to strike out the proviS
ion reimbursing the treasurer tn,
amount appropriated in the bill from
the proceeds of the bond sale. HI
called attention to the original act au
thOrizing bonds for the canal and saiC
it was plain there was nothing man
datory about it. He maintained tha
the position he took was not a move.
ment against national banks.
At the suggestion of Mr. Fitzgeral Ii
(N. W, Mr.. Williams said he should
also offer an amendment requiring 6
statement of expenses from the cana
commission.
Mr. Mann Ills). stated that there
were two employees of the canal com.
mission who received salaries of So.
600 asyear. One is Mr.. Ross. purchas
ing agApt, and the other Mr.. Bishop
secretarA to the commission.
RepkiAg to Mr.. Clayton. of Ala
bama VIM asked if any of The money
asked Tor Mould be spent for actua
work OF exAavation. Mr.. Mann said
that the pavA roll item would cover
the work Of excavation. which he
said had never ceased since the prop
erty was aequir3 3ed from the French
Mr.. Mann. ceIntinuing his reply tc