New-York tribune., 1905-07-11
WOULD ABOLISH MONOPOLY
FOR RELIEF OF SHIPPERS.
J. L. Bristor Urges Increased Fa-
ciEties for Transisthnlian Commerce.
rrEoM rzr TRIBUNE suRzAul

TFEox -HE rRIRuvE BUREAu.l
Washington. July le.-Joseph I. BristoT, former
Special Panama Railroad Commissioner. after con-
cuding an exhaustive study OF the commercial con-
ditions surrounding the Panama Railroad. earefuI
investigation OF SIS contracts with the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company. and the general needs OF
transisthmfan commerce. makes the uneGuiVocAl
recommendation that the government continue 10
conduct the Panama Railway a common cai
rier improving its facilities for transpofuhs -
rnerce 70 the utmost and that the monopoly MN
erto enjoyed by The Pacific Mall Steamship I'm
pany be abolished. Arguing that the Panama Kan
road Is doing. in sc far as u csh DC uei.1'
the work Of the prospective canal and that the
treaty by which the canal is being constructed
provides that there shall be no DISCRIMINATION
against the vessels OF any nation IN respect 10
conditions or charges on traffic OF otherwise. MI
I3rfstouy concludes that il does not appear prac-
ficabIe 10 show any dissemination in favor OF
American ships al the ports OF Colon or Panama.
that IS shipments from point 10 point within
the United States by OF the Panama Railway
shall be confined 70 ships % American registry
M Br1srow makes eight specific recommenda-
ti0ns as follows. That the Panama Railway be
double tracked and provided with al possible faciI
ties for handling business, such as increased
wharves. etc. that II charge a for transpor-
taron based on improved facilities for handling
traffic plus a moderate amount with which TO pay
dividends; that the policy Of charging per cent
OF the rates through business subject TO
between New-York and Colon be retained; that
contracts with the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
pany and with South American lines be cancelled
and the trafhc be thrown open to all steamship
lines on equal terms; that. unless private steam
ship line be esta blished between Colon and the
GuS ports OF the United States within reasonable
time. the Panama Railway establish such line:
that II the Pacific Mail Steamship Company with
draws its present service. some other company be
induced 10 establish a line between Panama and
INN
and that II this cannot be done the Panama Rail
way itself esta hlish such line: and finally that
American vessels be favored where that can be
done without violating the treaty obligations Of
the United States
NEEDS OF PACIFIC PORTS
Making Investigations on the Pacific Coast TO
ascertain what basis existed for the numerous COM
plants OF would-be shippers BY Haw az the
tsthmus. SIr. Brist0w found that San Francisco
IS the only Pacific port OF the United States ar
which Pacific Mail steamers call. despite the fact
that there is ample commerce ar other ports 10
justify their service and that the charpbe Of
commerce OF Los Angeles, San Diego Seattle and
other Pacific Coast cities have expressed keen
desire for water facilities for shipments BY way Of
The isthmus.
Apparently in explanation OF the failure Of the
Facinc Mall Steamship Company TO provide the
facilities which would seem 70 have been demanded
by ordinary business enterprise. M Bristow says:
IN rs there vas a Congressional investigation Of
Wi
L'-SlIc MAJ steamship company. The committee
making this investigation consisted OF John r
u Henry Powers and BeIlamy Storer In lis re-
port II stated that the organization known the
Railroad S5.Go0 month for the privilege Of fixing
United States sholld control some outlet a.ross
ne isthmua, tndependentiy of al railroad connec-
ions, for the benefit OF American trade.
~ F 1 STeIay qohslaeTing the 5tatsIents made
statement OF Afr Schwerfn Cvioe-presdent and gen
eral manager OF the Pacinc Mail Steamship Com
Pacific Mail Steamship Company has made little
effort 10 develop business between the Pacific and
that there is not sufficient business AT the
stopping This ig vigorously controverted by the
shippers and chambers Of commerce Of these cities
~ san Diego II was stated that the week ended
March Il a vessel Of the American Ea Walian Lire
of miscellaneous merchandise Statistics furnished
10y the various chambers OF commerce show that
be moved BY Panama facilities existed and
we're reasonable The character OF the Fanall3a aIa3
thar way much cheaper than by rail across the
continent
PANAMA RAILROAD AND COMMERCE.
In support Of his contention that the Panama
Railroad should far possible. facilitate
the transportation OF commerce by way OF the
isrhmus Mr.. Brtstow says
The relation that the Panama Railroad sustains
10 commerce il different from that OF any other
transportation company The United States gov
e-nnleur is constructing canal across the Isthmus
a Panama, al very heavy expense and the benefit
reasons for undertaking This great enterprise. II
the United States Is justified III eXpending large
amount of money for tlce construction OF a canal
benefit Of commerce. then - Is Justlned,
pending the construction OF the canal! n operating
this rsIir0ad the purpose And since II is
necessary operate the road its facilities should
BE- improved enable Z 10 haDd-e commerce
IN The most efficient manner.
is estimated the engineers that II VIII be
from ten 10 ffteen wears before the canal can De
0ueued for use. and IN the mean time TIE railroad
must perform. in far a railroad can, the
commercial functions OF the canal The operaIlon
OF this is IN competition with prl-
anrerrrise than the construction and operation
-e-rrfse- and Il products can be transported be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific coasts al less cost
by ms line than by otner, tnen commerce.
should receive the benefit OF this route
Referring 20 the possibilities of the development
of commerce across the istnmus. Nj Brstow says;
u s7,re.rs that over 10000 tons of Hawaiian
-rIra- are 5lnloaded annually from ships AT san
Francisco and transported across the ciatilseIl -
Galveston 10y railroad. ana reshlppeu De -
~ Nevy-Y0rk II proper facilities existed on , ne
tsfbYrls for handling this freight II ceTta-ls c1Ta,
would be cheaper 70 snip y orr 1x-oSt - 2ti
- Ea-au7a and from there 20 NeHg-1 ork ,.-,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT railroad scheduie rates PlSLL-s S
show that heavy shipments could o. S.T .J,o,-
~ y-Tf ,,o-+s f the Pacific Coast, and tlat IIlou
eards ~ tons of canned fruit ana olleI -
- ~ Pacific coast could be shipped 70 the a. A.
lau-ic sea board cheaper ps fall0--a ~
the continent by rail
Continuing Mr BristOW says
The question as 10 what should be done with the
Ftesnasnius Is more perpleZing thaT "Lid PollS,S
should o. pursued in the management OF the 4a--