Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-07
CANAL DEBATE
CROWS HEATED
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE ON
ALERT
Cochran and Williams Sharply Guess
ton Hepburn--Will Offer Rad
Icsi Amendment to Big APP
preparation Bill

n1ittee, Mr. Hepburn reviewed the canal
work, stating that sl0,000,000 had been
expended and that particular attention
had been paid to housing employees on
the Isthmus and In rehabilitattng the
machinery the French company had
left there.
There was pay roll on the isthmus
containing the names Of more than 49,
900 persons. They were paid twice a
month, and there would be no funds TO
meet the payment due December 10 un-
less the bill should pass. Replying to a
question by Mr.. Littleiield of Maine as
to the amount expended for salaries
Mr.. Hepburn said there were twenty
Elk salaries over $4,000; six between
$4,000 and $4,000; fifty-fve between $4,000
and $4,000, and 1886 between $4,000 and
$4,000.
Makes Retort Courteous
These included engineers and persons
of higher skill. It was stated in reply
to c. 3. Lands that the value of the
Panama railway stock had been esti-
mated at $1,000 900, but Mr.. Hepburn
could not recall the estimated value
placed on the machinery and equipment
before 1t was purchased by the United
States.
Mr. Fitzgerald of New York said that
he had been informed that 10000 a year
was being paid to "a press agent in
this city Mr.. Hepburn said he knew
nothing of such an employe.
How can congress find out if that is
so?" persisted Mr. Fitzgerald. The re-
ply was that Mr.. Fitzgerald knew as a
member of the house that he could get
the Information by asking In the proper
place for it.
but does the gentleman think this is
a necessary appropriation asked Mr..
Fitzgerald.
4 -,
fulness an Irishman who could WELD
q shovel" answered Mr.. Hepburn.
"But that is hardly a good defense of
9, $4,000 appropriation under any de-
partment of this government" retorted
Mr.. Fitzgerald.
Mr.. Kahn Finds Fault
Mr.. Hepburn said he had not heard of
the matter before. He did not believe
1t a proper appropriation of the canal
funds and suggested that Mr.. Fitzger-
aid pursue his investigation.
Mr.. Williams suggested that an esti-
mate, be secured from the commission
as to the amount necessary to carry on
the work until January. An explana-
tlon of the purchase of the two steam
ers Mexico and Havana were asked for
by Mr.. Wadsworth of New York.
Mr.. Hepburn replied that he under
stood the three steamers originally pur-
chased as part of the property of the
French Canal company were not cap
able of transporting the required ma
terial to the isthmus.
Fault was found by Mr.. Olmsted of
Pennsylvania and Mr.. Kahn of Cali
forpia with the statement of expenses
furnished. Mr.. Hepburn concurred in
this opinion.
The floor was yielded to Mr.. Williams
of Mississippi, who gave notice of GER
tain. amendments he should offer to the
bill later He declared the canal a nom
partisan question.
Not an Individual Enterprise
It's DEMENT'S to the south would be
great. No individual could claim credit
for the canal.
The principal aI11endment he should
offer would be to strike out the sum of
$16,500000 in the bill and insert an
amount he should endeavor to ascertain
as the amount actually necessary to
carry on the work until January 1st
next
Asserting that there was at least $40,-
100000 belonging to the United States
now on deposit without interest in ma
tional banks, Mr.. Williams said he
would object to the issuance of bonds
on which per cent interest should be
paid to secure money to build the canal.
Failing in striking out the entire bond
ing provision. he would move to strike
out the provision reimbursing the treas
ury the amount appropriated in the bill
from the proceeds from the bond sale.
He called attention to the original act
authorizing bonds for the canal and
said 1t was plain there was nothing
mandatory about it.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Fitzgerald