New-York tribune., 1905-02-17
CANAL ZONE GOVERNM ENT
House Passes Bill Putting Al
PoScer IN Presidents Hands.

Washington, Feb. 16.-The Mann bill to pro-
vide government for the Panama Canal zone
was passed by the House to-day. The bill gives
all the right of government of the canol zone
to the President until the end of the next Con-
gress. but provides that the government shall
be so exercised to protect the inhabitants
in the free nejoyment of their liberty. property
and religion. 1t abolishes the Isthmian Canal
Commission and places the work of the con-
struction OF the canal in the hands of the Pres
ident and such persons as he may appoint and
employ. IL does not undertake to determine
whether the canal shall be constructed as
sea level or a. lock waterway
It IS also provided that the persons appointed
by the President, both in the government of
the canal zone and in charge of the work of
construction. shall make annual estimates in
detail as far possible of the sums needed for
the ensuing fiscal year. and says that after
June so 1906 no money shall be expended
the cano or canal zone government except in
accordance with appropriations hereafter made,
thus doing away with the lump sum appropria-
ton carried by existing law. Frequent reports
to the President and to Congress of the progress
of the construction as we'll as of expenditures
of money are required.
While the bill aboIishes the canal commits
sion so far as the law is concerned. it author
ICES the President to retain the commission as
a commission or individual members as con-
sulting engineers if he so desires.
Authority 10 condemn 1904 shares of stock of
the Panama Railroad. now in the hands of pri-
vate owners, is carried in the bill, and the Pres-
dent is authorized. when full and complete con-
troll of the railroad is acquired. to operate it
through such persons he may select in order
hat the road may be used as far as is neces-
sary as part of the construction work on the
canal
Without waiting for the Mann Canal bill TO
come from the House. the Senate Com
mittee Interoceanic Canals authorized SEN
ator Kittredge to prepare a new bill for the
committee and introduce it to the Senate which
was done to-day. The committee has been sit
ting for several weeks. having before il the
Mann bill originally reported to the House
and the amendments reported on February 1.
The Mann bill provided specifically for the re-
peal Of that part of the canal act authorizins
the appointment of the Isthmian Canal Commits
sion and fixing it's duties and powers This sec
tion is eliminated from the Senate bill. and the
entire question is covered in the first section
which extends the present canal act
The bill introduced by Senator Kittredqa fol-
lows practically all the remaining provisions Of
the Mann bill. but provides a number of ra,,,
features. One important change is in tho 20
ton which extends the authority now anio,,a5
by the President for the control of the canal
zone. The Senate bill extends this authority
until the end of the next regular session or
Congress, while the Mann bill provided for an
extension until the end of the next Congress
Another new feature of the new Senate bill Is
follows
All income at any time received bv the 1-,,,..
states from rentals dividends or othervrisa ~
spect OF any property now possessed or herea fter
acquired In connection with the canal tbs rG
road or other works shall be turned into and 1
and works - ' lanai
Two new sections are added as follows:
That all laws affecting imports of articles. goods
wares and merchandise and entry Os personS ir,I,
the United States from foreign countrjes hU ittU
apply to articles goods. wares and nnercba n'Iisa
and persons coming from the canal zone ISfb'-H,,s
of Panama, and seeking entry into any Sfote -
Territory OF the United States or the district ~
Columbia. '~' VI
The other provides for the deposit of not to ex.
ceed S1,,toOO0 with bank having fiscal agent
on the isth-'us OF Panama, in order that there
may be a sufficient supply of money 10 meet
the necessities of the government.