Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-09
INQUIRY PROPOSED
SENATE COMMITTEE TO TAKE UP
CANAL AFFAIRS.
Reolution Adopted Providing for
Hearings and Swearing of
Witnesses.

All matters elating to the Panama canal
and the government of the canal zone and
the management of the Panama railroad
will be investigated by the Senate commit
tee on interoceanic canals. This was de-
cided today at the first meeting of the COM
mittee. The investigation will begin next
Tuesday, although there may be a special
meeting in the interim to take up the NOM
nations of canal commissioners.
When the committee was called to order
there were present Senators Millard chair
man; kfttredge, Hopkins, Knox, Morgan
Talfaferro and German. The nominations
of commissioners were taken up, but ON ac
count of the number of absentees and the
fact that 1T had been intimated that it
might be desired to have hearings in re-
gard to one or more of them they were
laid over for the present
The formation OF a program in regard to
canal affairs was then considered. Senator
GOfman said he believed an Investigation
of canal matters should be entered upon at
once, especially as an inquiry had been
''courted' by the President In his message
transmitting to the Senate the report of
the lsthInfan canal commission, which was
read and discussed yesterday and referred
to the canal committee
Unanimous for an Investigation.
All members of the committee agreed that
there should be an inquiry, and the scope
to be sentiment in favor of reviewing
the work of the canal commission from its
inception. Senator German drafted a reso-
luton for introduction in the Senate by
chairman Milard giving the committee au-
thofity TO engage In such an inquiry The
resolution, which was adopted by the com
mittee. follows:
Resolved. That the committee on inter
oceanic canals, any subcommittee there
OF. be and are hereby authorized to investi-
gate all matters relating to the Panama
cailai ana the government of the canal zone
ana the management of the Panama Rail-
road Company, to send for persons and
papers and to administer oaths and employ
a stenographer to report such hearings. and
that the committee be authorized to sit dur
ing the sessions or recess of the Senate
and that all expenses thereof be paid out
OF the contingent fund of the Senate
Question of Salaries
The impression prevailed that the scope
of Inquiry outlined by the committee might
have hearing on the nominations of mem
bers for the canal commission, especially as
1t was informally agreed that the question
Of salaries should be one of the questions
considered.
At the beginning Of today's session of the
Senate Mr.. Simmons presented resolution
asking the President to send TO the Senate
the names of all the officers, agents and
others employees of the Panama canal COM
mission whose salaries are more than So COO,
giving the amount paid to each. He gave
notice that he would call the resolution up
tomorrow
1t was endeavored to frame the language
of this resolution so broadly that there can
be no doubt that the utmost investigat ton
may De conducted. 1t is expected at this
time that the resolution will be adopted by
a unanimous vote In the Senate.