Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-08-26
Elk TIV
shonts on Canal Condition.

Chairman Shonts of the Panama
Panama gave out full statement con-
corning the conditions on the isthmus.
He admitted that mistake had been
made at the outset in trying to push
the work before arranging to care for
the employees. 1t was true also that
the laborers had not been promptly
paid and that prices of food had risen,
owing to congestion of traffic. Mr..
Shonts said he had made an arrange
ment with the president Of Panama to
feed the laborers, through commissary
stations, until prices become normal.
Each laborer's camp has such a sta
ton. Refrigerating plants are to be
placed in both Of the cOmpany's steam
ers and at Colon, so that all American
! employees will be able to obtain the
same fare as they would at home. He
admits that there are many undesirable
conditions, but said that these would
be reformed. On the day that he sailed
there were only thirty cases of fever
throughout the entire district. Work
has been stopped in the Culebra cut
pending sanitary improvements and
the construction of better quarters for
the laborers.
Canal Funds Not All Spent.
After Chairman Shonts got back to
Washington the canal commission is
sued statement showing that out
of the $1O.0OO,00O appropriated by con-
gress for the construction Of the ca
nal there remained on April l, when
the present commission took hold, a
balance Of $7,426,56S. Large eXpendi-
lures for ships and supplies, as well as
wages, left a balance of $2,S1G,713 on
Aug. 10.
Extra Session Unnecessary.
A cable message from President
Roos ,yelt to Secretary Taft while the
latter was at Iloilo expressed the opin-
ion that an extra session Of congress
would be unnecessary. This particu-
larly pleased the congressman in the
Taft party, as it would enable them to
prolong their tour of the orient.
More Officials Under Probe.
A pension office investigation has
been started as q result Of an officials
carelessness in allowing widows
pension for eleven years instead Of
one
The internal revenue service is also
doing a little house cleaning, Commits
6icroicSn6 fnJJT
special agents.
Director Walcott Of the geological
survey denies the published charges
that officers of the survey have used
their official knowledge to benefit the
Mining World. He admits that frac-
ton Of the stock Of this paper was sub
scribed by some members Of the sur
vey.
The report Of the investigation Of the
Lanston monotype machine contract in
the government printing Office, on
charges brought by the Mergenthaler
company, was believed to be favorable
to Public Printer Palmer, who made
the contract.
Major T. S. Strong Of the inspector
generals department, who was sent to
probe the system Of graft said to exist
at the Schuylkill arsenal, Philadelphia,
unearthed startling evidence in the
testimony of Morris Busch, a council
man of the local political ring, who
could not explain his secret agreement
to secure a contract for making fur
gloves and caps, up to the army stand
ard, but at figure below the actual
cost to manufacture. 1t was shown
that for several years a combine OF
fur contractors had existed secretly, to
the destruction of competitive bidding
and the defrauding Of the government.
Wilson lnspects Cattle Trains.
Secretary Of Agriculture Wilson has
conferred with the live stock and rail-
way committee at Chicago and OBJ
served the incoming stock trains. He
said that the cattle appeared to be well
cared for and that he was assured that
the railways and shippers were anxious
To co-oDerate with the government.