The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-12-08

Washington, December 6.-With an
opportunity for unlimited debate ON
the subject of the Panama canal, the
House exhausted its Oratory on that
subject in session of four and three
quarter hours today. The bill appro-
prtating s16,5OO,OOO for canal work,
which was the subject of discussion.
will be read for amendment and placed
on it's final passage tomorrow. The
feature of the debate was the criticism
INDUCED in by both Republicans and
Democrats regarding the incomplete
ness Of the statement of expenditures
and estimates furnished by the canal
commission.
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, reviewed the
canal work. stating that 100000
had been expended and that particular
attention had been paid to housing en-
ployees on the isthmus and in rehabili-
tating the machinery the French COM
pany had left there.
AAOAO "do pdy IolI iuC
containing the names of more than
1900 persons. They were paid twice
Il month, and there would be no funds
to meet the payment due December Is
unless the bill should pass. Replying
to a question by Mr.. Littlefield, of
Maine, as to the amount which had
been expended for salaries, Mr.. Hep
burn said he could make the general
statement that there were 26 salaries
over 5000; six between $4,000 and
$1,000; fifty-five between $1,000 and
$1,000, and 1856 between $1,000 and
$1,000. 1t was stated in reply to C.. B.
Landis that the value Of the Panama
railway stock had been estimated at
$7,OOO,OOO. but Mr.. Hepburn could not
recall the estimated value placed on
the machinery and equipment before
it was purchased by the United States.
"Rut 1t was asserted, was 1t not'
continued Mr.. Lands, ''that this ma
chinery was valuable and the equip
ment was such as could be utilized?"
"It was" replied Mr.. Hepburn
Mr.. Fitzgerald, of New York. said he
had been Informed that $4,000 a year
was being paid to a press agent in
this city. Mr.. Hepburn said he knew
nothing of such an employee.
but does the gentleman think this
is necessary appropriations" asked
Mr.. Fitzgerald
II do not think it would equal in
usefulness an Irishman who could we'll
WELD shovel said Mr.. Hepburn.
'tBut that is hardly a good defense
OF $4,000 appropriation under any
department Of this government" re-
tOrted Mr.. Fitzgerald
Mr.. Hepburn said he had not heard
OF the latter before. He did not be-
lieve it a proper appropriation of the
canal fund
Mr.. Williams suggested that an esti-
mate be secured from the commission
as to the amount necessary to carry
on work on the isthmus until January
Mr.. Tawney, of Minnesota, suggest
ed that the instruction to the canal
commission be for detailed and
classified" Or ''itemized'' statement for
expenditures.
The floor was yielded to Mr. Will
nanls. of Mississippi. who gave notice
of certain amendments he should offer
to the bill later. He declared the
canal is non-partisan question. Its
W IIlt ssbNGu "ouiu DS SIC<tt.
No individual could claim credit for
the canal.
The principal amendment he should
offer would be to strike out the sum
of S16,500,0O0 in the bill, and insert an
amount he should endeavor to ascer-
tain as the amount actually necessary
10 carry on the work until January /.
next
Asserting that there were at least
S40,000,0O0 belonging to the United
States now on deposit without interest
In national banks, Mr. Williams said
he should object to the issuance of
bonds on which per cent interest
should be paid to secure money to
build the canal Failing in strik nc
out the entire bonding provision he.
should move to strike out the provision
reimbursing the treasury the amount
appropriated in the bill from the pro-
ceeds of the bond sale. He called at-.
tention to the original act authorizing