The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-07
TAFT KEEPS IT.
Cabinet Decides Canal Management
Shall Stay Where 1t Is.

Washington. Oct 6.-SeveraI import
ant questions were discussed at today S
cabinet meeting although at the con-
clusiOn of the session it was announced
officially that no details OF the discus
sion could be made public. In fact il
was announced that hereafter no in
formation would be given out by cab
met officers Of their seuni-Weekly meet
ings with the president but that such
information as it was deemed proper Tor
the public to have would be given to
the neggspapermen by Secretary Loeb.
Despite the injunction OF secrecy it
IS learned that action was taken on two
or three important matters and that
others were considered. The monopoly
enjoyed by the Merchants Bridge com
pany Of st Louis of bridge and ferry
routes across the Mississippi river was
considered at length. Tt was decided
today that Attorney General Moody
should begin appropriate action
against the bridge company The attOr-
ney general made the following state
ment of the action taken:
at was determined by the president
that upon the complaint pending in
the department Of justice against the
monopolization of the two bridges
and the ferry across the Mississippi
into ST. Louis, appropriate action
should be begun by the attorney gen
eral."
Mr.. Moody said he could not say at
this time what action he might con-
slider Appropriate 3" He did not
know he said, whether the action
would look to the forfeiture of the
charter of the Merchants Bridge
company or not, as he would have to
go over the law bearing upon the mat
ter before reaching any determination.
Considerable attention was devoted by
the meeting to consideration OF queS-
tons arising from complaints of the
Chinese government that its subjects
were unjustly Disseminated against
by the United States at the ports of
this country Secretaries Root, Tart
and metcalf having given much time
to this question with the president
they participated in the discussion
After the discussion I'M the cabinet
regarding Chinese immigration to this
country it was determined that no
changes or notifications in conflict
with instructions to United states
consuls contained in the circular is
sued several months ago by the presi-
dents direction will be made. 1t was
definitely decided that the manage
ment OF the isthmian canal sh&u re-
main under Secretary Taft.
Secretary Wilson BROUGHT to the at
tention of the president results
ne had reached regarding the
lnspection Of meats He indica-
ted that under the law meat
packers are not to be forced to pay the
cost of meat inspection. He had decided,
however, that hereafter the packers
should pay for the seals or tags placed
upon Inspected meats intended for eX-
port This VIII bring q revenue to the
department Of agriculture of nearly $50
COO a year. This sum the secretary pro-
poses 10 use in extending the
inspection of meats to pack
ing houses which have re
Quested that they be given inspectors
but whose requests have not been COM
piled with because the department has
not had the Funds with which to nav
the inspectors. The idea OF Secretary
Wilson was approved by the cabinet
and it VIII be put into operation at
Cnce.