The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-16
GERMANS OCCUPY
A PORT IN CHINA
CANAL OPENS WAY
FOR TARIFF FIGHT
Presidents Decision to Buy Sup
plies in Worlds Market Blow
to Standpatters.
Rv w w. Jern1 ane,

Washington, May 1e.--The presi-
dents decision that supplies for the
Panama canal are to be bought in the
world s markets in order that this gov
eminent may take advantage OF lower
prices thus made available, and thus
make the people s money, set apart for
canal. go 50 per cent farther 7 r. than tsl
re9ca1 ' Solitical 0 effect f., " It will in
effect SOc; N attack on the policy Of
protectioS;etr Itch the government
has been coli. nince the days OF
The standpatters ill be quick to
point out the government IS inconsistent
cy, and to rally their forces in defense
Of the protective idea. President
Roosevelt, as is we'll known, believes in
revision, and it may be that the Pana.
ma decision has been deliberately
reached with the knowledge that it
would precipitate the tariff issue
in the next congress.
Congress Favors Opposite Plan.
In congress there has been a strong
sentiment for restricting even the trans
portation Of materials FOR the canal to
American shipping. Several bills to
that effect were Introduced at the last
two sessions. There seemed to be
majority Ill UoIH HOUSES 1ol SuCu law,
but for parliamentary reasons vote
was never reached.
Manufacturers in various lines have
been planning to supply the govern
ment ever since the canal was author
lied. The vigorous character of their
opposition can readily be foreseen.
The high protectionists now fortify-
ing themselves against any encroach-
ment upon their markets, will see in the
president s decision a terrible blow to
their cause. But congress does not as
congress can act, if it should be so dis
posed, the executive committee Of the
commission will have abundant oppor-
tunity to make the purchases Of sup;
plies and materials needed, and con:
tracts can be entered into for future
purchases which congress will be pow
| erless to annul.
This decision with regard to the cana
was reached with some reluctance.
! An Cutlery Is Certain.
This important decision was reached
with some reluctance, because it was
appreciated by Secretary Taft and the
| executive committee that there woulC
surely be great cutlery from two great
interests in this country-the producers
of material and the shipowners-if the
| purchases were not lIuIGeu W Tue AlueI
lean products. But it was decided that
the money consideration was so great
! that it could nots5be ignored, for it was
held that in many cases fully. SO pei
cent more would be charged for mate
rial needed in canal construction thar
the same goods could be procured fo1
in Europe.
| $65o,Ooo Saved on Two Ships.
Chief Engineer Wallace, for instance
showed that two ships in addition t.
those running between New York an.
Colon and owned by the Panama Rail
way company, would be absolutely. nee
essary to carry the food supplies an
material needed for the work N
American ships could be, bong ht at an:
| reasonable price, and when it came t
| building such ships, it was found, &C
cording to Secretary Taft's statement
, that, while he can buy two 2,600-to
ships in Europe for $4,000, it woul
= cost 81, 100000 to build such ships here
And in addition, while the Europea
2 ships could be had at once, it woul
take at least eighteen months to secur
American vessels. Thus it was decide
! in any port where they could be ha
!, cheapest and obtained the quickest.
AS to material needed for canal COZ
! struction, the commission decided tina
: by reserving to itself the right to pu:
> chase in the world s markets, it woul
1 at elast oblige American manufa
?, turers to give them the benefit Of the
y foreign prices if they wished to Sc
goods to the commission. - ~.
: Secretary Taft said today that /
1 felt obliged to indorse this project, b.
cause, having given congress every o.
$ portunity to adopt a contrary decision
t he felt that the very terms Of the cam
r act provided that it must be construc
l. ed at the lowest possible cost.