New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-07
FIGHT ON CANAL FUNDS.
LIVELY HOUSE DEBATE.
Panama Commissions Expense
Statements Criticised

Washington Dec with an opportunity for I'M
1frsited debate the subject OF the Panama
Canal the House exhausted its oratory on that
subject session Of four and three-Quarter hours
to-day The bill appropriating s1e5oOOoo for canal
work, which was the subject of discussion. will be
read for amendment and placed on its final pas
sage tomorrow. The feature of the debate was
-Ne criticism INDUCED in by both Republicans and
Democrats regarding the incompleteness of the
statement OF expenditures and estimates furnished
nv the Canal Commission. Mr.. Hepburn in charge
Of the bill. made some efforts TO show that while
detailed estimates might be more satisfactory at
the same time members OF the House were not in
q position TO pass critical Judgment on estimates
for such work prepared by expert engineers who
held responsible positions and had been selected
because Of their fitness.
Nj Cochran, Of New-York. took decided excep-
ton to this attitude on the part Of Mr.. Hepburn,
applied II affecting all matters of appropriation,
and, arraigned it decidedly the wrong attitude
FOR legislators To enforce his argument ne read
the sentiment Of the President in his Message for
economy and scrutiny Of appropriations. The So
called press agent o. the Canal Commission was
criticised by several speakers, and lack of definite
information to the existence Of such a place was
shown. It declared to carry a salary of $4,000
8 year. and some curiosity was manifested TO know
what its duties.
Unanimous consent WAS asked BY MI Hepburn
for immediate consideration Of the Canal bill. Mr.
Williams, the minority leader characterized the re-
quest unusual. but. he said. the necessity was
unusual There was no disposition on the Demo
cratic side to delay the appropriation He found
some fault with the purported statement of money
which had been spent. saying It was not an item
i4ed summary.
Because the bill was not referred to the Appro-
p-ators Committee, Mr.. Idttauer On. " re-
marked that he should not object to consideration
but merely wanted to protest against the reference
q the measure the Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce. that the action should not be
taken precedent
Because the bill regulated the taxes on the pro-
posed canal bonds. Mr. Payne (I. " said IT
should have gone TO the Ways and Means Com
mirtee, but he would not protest
At the suggestion of Ny. Mann CID. the
committee reference was vacated. The bill was
then considered by the House in committee OF the
whole. with Nj vreeland IN " in the chair.
Nj Hepburn began the discussion He said for
the benefit Of Mr. Littauer and MI Payne that
there had been no subtle attempt the part Of
the Committee Interstate and Foreign Com
merce TO take any matters from the committees Of
which they were members Il hope the gentlemen
viii be able to sleep quietly in their beds" he said
The canal was a means Of commerce and as such
The rules Of the House provided that matters per-
tanning TO It should go the Interstate and For
siEn Commerce Committee.
M Payne opposed the idea of Mr. Hepburn that
the Ways and Means Committee did not have turis-
3ictiou- He closed with the remark that Mr. Hep
burn had made the request that his committee
discharged and the matter considered in the House.
NJ. Hepburn retorted, to the amusement Of the
House that he had made no such request that
those familiar with the rules would have no doubt
OF the proper reference Of the bill and that all
wisdom did not reside in the white button man
darins' appelation sometimes applied TO mem
be-s Of the Ways and Means Committee. Mr.. Hep
burn reviewed the canal work saying that $4,000
90 had been expended, and that particular atten-
ton had been paid 20 housing employees on the
iEthrnuS IN rehsNIterf0p he 4ba
French company had left there, There was a pay
roll on the istAmus containing the names of more
than thirteen thousand persons They were paid twice
month, and there would be no funds to meet the
payment due December 10 unless the bill should
pass Replying 70 a question by Mr. Littlefeld
tMe.) to the amount expended for salaries
Nj Hepburn said there were 26 salaries over
5000 between 5000 and 5000 90 between
$500 and $4,000 and 136 between 5000 and 50 co.,
These included engineers and persons of higher
skii. It was stated in reply to C B. Lands that
the value Of the Panama Railway stock had been
estimated at 100000 but Mr.. Hepburn could not
recall the estimated value placed on the machinery
and equipment before it was purchased by the
United States
But II was asserted. was it not" continued Nj
lands that this machinery was valuable and
The equipment was such as could be utilized? 80
II was" replied Mr.. Hepburn.
ASKS ABOUT PRESS AGENT"
SIR fitzgerald q " said that he had been in
formed that $1,000 a year was being paid to
press agent" in this city Mr.. Hepburn said he
knew nothing Of such an employee.
How can Congress find out If that IS so7" per
sisted Mr.. Fitzgerald The reply was that Mr.
fitzgerald knew, as member Of the House. that
ne could get the Information by asking in the
proper place for It
Does the gentleman think this is a necessary
sppropriation2' asked Mr.. Fitzgerald.
! do no1 think it would equal in usefulness an
ITlshman who could well WELD a shovel" answered
Mr. Hepburn.
But that is hardly good defence Of a $1,000
appropriation under any department OF this govern
inent,' Tsr0rted Mr. Fitzgerald
Nj Hepburn said he had not heard Of the mat
Ter before He did not bsleve it a proper appro-
plarion Of the canal funds. and suggested that Mr.
fitzgerald pursue his information.
NJ Williams suggested that an estimate be Sc
cured from the commission to the amount neces-
sary 10 carry on the work on the isthnus until
January
An explanation Of the purchase Of the two steam