Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-11
MR.. BRISTOW'S RETURN
CALLED ON SECRETARY TAFT To-
DAY.
Will Prepare Report Embodying the
Results of His Work at
Once.

Mr.. Joseph L. Bristow, the special COM
missioner charged by Secretary Taft with
an investigation into the matter of rates on
the Panama railroad, who arrived in Wash
ington last night called on Secretary Taft
today to report his return from an extern
<sive southern and western trip in pursuit of
his inquiry. AS the Secretary was very
busy Mr.. Bristow was unable to discuss his
trip in detail, but is about to set at work at
once to prepare report embedying the re-
suits of his work. That will necessarily be
voluminous and occupy some time in prep
aration, that Mr.. Bristow will prepare
some preliminary matter which will prob
ably come before the meeting of the direc-
tors of the Panama Railroad Company in
New York city on the 18th instant.
This question of railroad rates Is a diff
cult one to handle and assumes two phases
First 1t was found necessary to look into
the effect of existing combinations between
the railroad company and certain steam
ship lines on the general trade currents
across the isthmus. And, having in mind
the necessity of dissolving these combina-
tions and throwing open the Panama rail-
ROAD TO all comers on even terms, 1t is
serious matter to fix the railroad rates at
figure that shall develop the most busi-
ness. 1t is not the purpose to make the
road money making proposition, and pro-
Fldlng II Will pay expenses while building
canal construction, the road will be regard
ed as properly managed. 1t is with these
questions that Mr.. Bristow has dealt, main
~ IN the procurement of detailed informa-
tlon as to trade possibilities under the
changed conditions that will exist after the
discrimination is removed. To that end he
has secured on his western and southern
TRIP great mass of information which will
be included in his report. To complete this
work Mr.. Bristovr finds 1t necessary to visit
Galveston and new Orleans, though that
trip may be deferred until after the meet
ing OF the Panama railroad directors.
Details of His Trip.
Mr.. Bristow remained ten days at Colon,
and then made twelve round trips over the
Panama railroad. He was in Panama
fortnight, and then sailed north along the
coast of Central America, stopping at a
number of points to make inquiries into
traffic interests. He visited Santa Cruz,
made study of the Tehauntepec railroad,
which is operated by the MEXICAN govern
ment, and then went to the City of Mexico
and thence north to Ell Paso. From there
he went to Los Angeles San Francisco,
Portland. Seattle and Tacoma, stopping at
each city to look into the traffic questions
which involve the use of the Panama road.
He was asked by several commercial clubs
and chambers of commerce tosadjress them
on the special subject of isthmian traffic,
and did so, explaining the purposes of the
government in sthmian affairs.
Mr.. Bristow says that everywhere on the
Pacific coast there is keen interest in the
canal-more so than in Mexico and Central
America. The contract that the Panama
railroad has with the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company gives a rate from Pacific
ports to Europe. and establishes combina-
tion with the transcontinental trunk lines
that the business interests of the west de-
nounce bitterly.
Mr. Bristow will this week have a con-
ference with Mr.. Shonts, the new head of
the Panama canal commission. and report
to him his observations while going over
the route of the canal.