The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-07
itemized statements of expsnses of the canaI comn1isaion

itemixed statements of expenses of the canal commission.
 Mir. Mann (Ilil stated that two en- pioyes of the canal commission receive salaries of $16,000 a year. One is Mfr. Ross. purchasing agent and the other Mir Bishop. secretary to the commis- sion. Mir. Mann declared there should hcypo complaint as to the amount of money asked for as 1t was desirable to Rrt the work done as speedily as possi- ble.
 Replying to Mir. Clayton (Ala-) who asked if any of the money asked for would be spent for actual work of extension. Mir. Mann replied that the pay roll item would cover the work of excavation which he said had never ceased since the property was acquired from the French company.
 Didn't Need the Money.
 Mir Mann. continuing his reply to questions by Mr. Clayton said there was no doubt this appropriation should have been carried In the last sundry civil appropriation bill but that the old .conal commission had said they would not send the money. with and a new commission appoint ed" he continued And since that time the work on the canal has pro- gressod much more rapidly and :.ow it Is a condition and not theory"
 It WIS fact. he.- said. l.iat after this appropriation was made s7e,0o0.. 900 would have been expended and iit- tie work done. But preparatiots for work have been made and tho result he predicted would be the building of the canal for even lest total cost than had been estimated
 An amendment was offered by Mir. Hill tConn.) making the canal bonds available as security for national bank circulation.
 MT. Mann received permission to have printed partial statement of the expenses Of the work which he said might throw additional light on the matter. aithongh the statement was not compete. He Indicated raat the commission would doubtless fur nish cor plete details of expenditures when tN appropriations for the er-s suing year Is asked.
 MT. Hepburn tiowa) suggested that the annual report Of the Secretary If W War. now in the hands of the printer, will show detailed statement Of the expenditures of the canal.
 ! No corporation or business concern in the country would Dc satisfied bysa showing no better chan the commis- sion had furnished the House in the opinion of Mir. Caay.on <Afa-) .,s
 Admitting that 1t might have been better if tho estimates mud been made in detail, MT. Hepburn saw no good reason why the appropriation should not be made. He said if the estimates had been. in detail 1t would hardly De the .funcrion of members tossat tip their unprofessional 1udgment against that of expert engineers.
 Cecl<rnp. stirs Up' ThinEs.
 This statement furnished tue text for lively speech by Mir. Cochran (N. HD who demanded to know IF meiis- bers of the House we're to blindiy fol- low estimates; what were they here fer?'' He asked MT Hepburn N hat the President meant '. i,sn m e said {: n h to Con gress tho earnest need of econ omy and rigid scrutiny of appfopria- tionG"
 1T the power of appropriation is continued Mir. Cpckran. ,ft is ait q mpekery, Hsk 4Tk tiiiE House to declare now thak fhis fufie- ten is not iulpertinence. but pertains to the oath With which we took pe ciudes that the treasnry shah hs ssaayds ed by us and not in < perfanetory man.
 MT. Hepbnrn rstorted that he did not propose that the gentleman from New York should make him responsible for a statement he had not made He had not denied the right of scrutiny. of any member of. the House with regard to appropriations.
 Mir. Clayton (Ala.) expressed desire for further informaton regarding the press agent of the commission.
 Debate ended at 4:45 o'clock and the House adjourned with the understand Ing that the bill will be- read for amendment and put on It's passage to- ,