Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-16
RUSHING WORK
ON PANAMA CANAL
SPECIAL AGENT BRIST0W ON
INSPECTION TRIP
Will Visit San Pedro Harbor Today
IN Order to Famillarize Him-
self With Needs Of
the Port

agent appointed by President Roosevelt
in connection with the operation OF the
Panama Railroad and Steamship COM
pany, which was acquired by the
United States government i'm the pur-
chase of the Panama canal property al
an outlay of $4,000, 900, arrived in Los
Angeles yesterday morning and is q
guest at the Westminster hotel.
Mr.. Bristow is accompanied by his
private secretary, j. T. Watson, and
p. II. Cahill. government agent for
Central America for the Panama Rail-
road company. Mr.. Bristow and his
secretary came over the railroad to
Colon, and accompanied by Mr.. Cahill,
took a steamer for Mexico. reaching
tional lines.
This morning Mr.. Bristow and party
will be guests of the Los Angeles
chamber of commerce for trip over
the Salt Lake road to San Pedro where
the government representative will be
given an opportunity to inspect the
inner and outer harbors, in order that
he may be personally Informed as to
the needs of San Pedro by way of deep
ening the inner harbor toward Will
mington and other Improvements.
Captain McKinstry, government engi-
neer in charge of the harbor, will be
with the delegation.
Coast May Benefit
Mr.. Bristow said: Il am on tour
of Investigation and visitation in the
interest of the Panama Railroad and
Steamship company, ascertaining for
the United States government what
can be done for Los Angeles business
concerns in the line of traffic trans
portation, with special reference to
rates, and so on. 1 have met a number
of the representative business men of
this city, presidents of organized asso-
Citations, and believe that much can be
done that will be of profit to the busi-
ness interests of the Pacific coast cities
north of the eastern end of the rail-
road. The Panama railroad has been
in operation for about fifty years and
has been carrying on a fairly satisfac-
tory business in freight and passenger
traffic. 1t is the purpose of the govern
ment to enlarge the usefulness of the
line. The road is owned by stock
company, and only per cent of the
stock is held by private individuals.
The remainder is the property of the
government, and the government oper-
ates the railroad, the steamship line
connections, and will also operate the
The railroad is forty-seven miles in
length.
Work on Canal
when will the Panama canal be in
operation? That is difficult to predict
Possibly within ten or twelve years.
1t is great undertaking. but the work
is progressing rapidly. Great impetus
to commercial communication with
California and the far east will GER
tainly follow the completion of the
Panama canal 1t is my purpose to
visit San Francisco, Portland, Seattle
and other points before returning to
Washington. I will acquire all the in
formation possible for the advancement
of the interests of the Panama Rail-
road and Steamship company and sub
NIT my report to the president"
Mr.. Bristow occupied the position of
fourth assistant postmaster general for
seven years and has been in the public
service for many years. He is a native
of Kentucky, tall, affable and genial
in manner. Mr.. Bristow is the man
who unearthed the postoffice swindles
IN Cuba, and has figured prominently
in other Investigations of the crooked
ness of unfaithful government servants.
He enjoys the fullest confidence of the
president.
President Koephi of the Los Angeles
chamber of commerce entertained Mr..
Bristow at luncheon at the California
club, at which time the presidents
commissioner met the presidents and
representatives of various business as
sociations of Los Angeles.