The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-01-12
German Advocates Probing
Canal Affairs.


very significant speech immedi-
aiely after the message had been
read. he declared that it was
the most extraordinary one that
had ever been sent to Congress.
He pointed out that the President
IN his message invited the closest
scrutiny and investigation Of the
Panama Canal matters. and de
clared that Congress should order
au investigation of the whole
matter.
The Dominican question came
up for discussion on Mr. Till
mans resolution making INQUIRY
of the President concerning the
status Of the affairs in the island
republic. The resolution was
made the basis for a speech hv
Mr.. Rayner. which was his init
lal effort in the Senate. When
he closed he was warmly con.
graduated by members Of both
sides of the chamber. his col
league, Senator German. being
the first TO offer his baud.
Mr. German said in part:
Il think the country should be
highly gratlfied by the extraor-
binary statement the President
makes in regard to this great
work. Ii is true that individuals
aud the press have circulated
criticisms of the extraordinary
orders issued and The work done.
but the President has given a
certificate OF perfect purity and
great efficiency to all that have
been connected with the canal
construction.
1T Is true that he invites the
closest scrutiny. | trust that
before the Senate proceeds many
days 1t may instruct the Canal
Commission to enter upon such
investigation. But the President
goes one step farther. He in.
dorSes the high salaries paid. No
doubt he is guided in this by a
desire to get the best results in
the work TO be done. aud | have
no doubt that he believes he has
exercised the best Judgment. but
DO not think that We can all
agree that the expenditures for
clerical duties in a>hingtou
nave been justified. | agree that
we ought to deal in broad and
liberal way without any at.
tempt to obstruct the great work.
out 1t seems to me that a blanket
Endorsement that tie extraordi
nary salaries should he continued
requlfes careful consideration bv
Congress.
"lhe Congress has placed ia
the hands of the President the
responsibility for carrying on this
great work, and | think this
ought not to he done. Since the
war with Spain Congress has got
ten into the habit of placing in
the hands OF the President of the
United States millions OF dollars
10 De expended without any re.
strictions whatever. 1t is argued
that these appropriations have
been emergencies, but there have
been emergencies prior to these.
such as those growing out of the
wars with England aud Mexico.
where Congress has guarded the
country't purse strings"
Mr. German condemned the
manner OF making appropriations
for the various departments aud
said that Congress should review
all these Continuing, he de
clared:
The President must not be
sensitive II the representatives OF
the public in the other branch
and the States in this branch
demand a return to the old sy>.
ten OF having a review by Con
greSs Of all matters OF extraordi
nary expenditure. IL is not the
fault of the President that this
becomes necessary now. 1t has
been the i'll advised action OF
Congress. The President has
met the situation IN the bold.
manly fashion that seems to ob.
tain with elm in his treatment
OF works for which he is respon-
Sible. Ii, can see nothing but
good where he is personally re.
sponSible =
MIR. German said that no man
living can tell what is to be the
outcome of the canal work or
what the expenditures are to be:
that no mar knows the character
OF the work or whether the canal
will cost $4,000, 900 or $500.
600, 600.