The Washington times., 1905-01-14

commission owns IS, ,9S7 shares of the
stock of the road, leaving about LUIS
shares outstanding. The commission
feels that the government should own
the entire capital stock, and II Is READY
to purchase any further shares that may
be offered at par, which price Is con-
sidered liberal
The present law which vests the gov
ernment of the canal zone in such per
sons as the President shall direct
should be continued. until otherwise
commission.
1t is thought that the expenditures on
the canal, including those made prior to
the appointment of the commission, may
reach $500, ,0c0 to the end OF the current
fiscal year. In the following fiscal year
the increasing necessity OF the work
or more.
The treasurer's report shows an un-
expended balance out Of the 100000 600
appropriated by Congress of SS.7ao.3 333S on
November 80, 1904
Governor Davis Troubles.
Friction between Gen. George w
Davis, governor of the canal zone. and
the Panama government, began on the
second day of his arrival on the 18TH
mus, according to his report, which is
made a part of the commissions report
General Davis arrived at Colon. May
Il, and on the 18th was graciously re-
same day General Davis announced TO
the people living in the canal zone that
the United States had taken possession.
and he designated certain officers for
the zone.
Objection TO so summary, or precipi-
tate assumption of control was at once
made by the Panaman government The
minister of foreign affairs arranged for
ceremonious function to celebrate the
formal entrance of the United States
upon the work OF constructing the
canal. but during the discussion OF these
other questions came up, and the, pro-
posed ceremony was abandoned.
General Davis tells of the objections
raised 70 the establishment of the Amer
lean canal ports OF Ancon and Cristobal
of postoffices within the zone. and the
proposed assessment of tariffs on goods
entering therein. He IS especially in6ig-
nant because the minister of foreign at
fairs n a letter of protest, expressed
the belief that the opening of the ports
was not in obedience TO orders from the
American Government, but w-as due
rather 10 the erroneous Interpretation
of the treaty on the part of the au-
thorities of the canal zone, and as this
amounted 20 a charge that the governor
of the zone mad acted without orders
from his own government, he felt call
ed upon TO reply TO the unwarranted as
sertion-
Health of the Soldiers.
On the subject OF health and sanitary
conditions. Governor Davis says that the
marine battalion that has been on duty
at Empire for ten months, numbering
Al men, has had no fatal case OF sick
ness. The men are in good health. but
about one in three have had mild at
tacls of malaria. The total number OF
United States employees on the isthmus
is $500; the number in hospitals of this
force is 9S, or about 28 per thousand
General Davis report on the Panama
Railroad to some extent supplies the in
formation asked for in the Shackleford
resolution now pending in the House
which asserts that a great sum was paid
cut of the Panama Railroads treasury
IN dividends. just prior to the purchase
! Of the road by the United States. He
| says that during the last fourteen years
| the road paid no dividends IN eight
| years, and for the whole period has pdiC
| ar average dividend Of > per cent IT
| i:01. nothing was paid; IN 1891, = pei
| cent; in 1862. per cent, and IN 1868.
| per cent
The annual report for 1858, he says
! gives the net income of the railroad
| and steamships at $4o1. .G6S, yet the roaC
| paid an s per cent dividend or the sun
! OF S5cG. .03} while in 1902 the net income
was $295 3S4 a I'd the dividend paid wa!
j $50, 900.