The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-01-17

SAY STEAMERS REFUSE
TO TAKE CANAL FREIGHT
Result Is Securing Some GOV.
ernment CargOes; Retalia-
ton Threatened.

o. WASHINGTON, Jan. l5.-CharGeS by
Secretary Taft and Chief Engineer Ste
vens of the Isthmlau Canal commission,
that the Southern Pacific railway is re-
sponsible for Jhc freight congestion on
tho Isthmus OF Panama formed the most
interesting development ot a four hours
hearing today on canal affairs before the
deficiency subcommittee of the House
Committee on Appropriations.
Says Steamers Refuse Freight
The Southern Pacific Railway company
controls the Pacific Mall Steamship COM
pany, according to the statements of the
Secretary OF War and Mr.. Stevens, who
says that since the abroGation of the
freight agreement between The Panama
railroad and the steamship company, the
latter hnS been dilatory In calling for san
Francisco freight on the west side of the
lsthmus. 1t is charged that steamers ire
quently refuse TO stop 10 take on freight
and even leave port with only partial
cargo, while great quantities OF freigh,
lie on tho wharves
Gets Government Shipments.
II was alleged that the apparent motive
for this course on the part OF the steam
ship company was TO hinder materials
intended ior the canal To be delivered at
Colon by the steamships operated by the
Government from New York, so that
shipments would be necessary over the
lines of the Pacific Mall from San Fran
cisco; that the blockade had had this ef-
feet was asserted by Chief Engineer Ste
Nens, who said that several carEoes had
been shipped via San Francisco and over
the Pacific Mail line for this very reason.
other shipments will go this way unless
an end can be made 10 the blockade.
No Wharves on West Side.
As there are no wharvcs on the west
side OF the 1sthmuS il Is impossible for
the railroad company TO store the con-
gested freight on that side Of the Isthmus
a.. ..l.a LII,
Consequently. the storage and docking Ia
cilities on the east side of the Isthmus are
said To be constantly overtaXcd and the
canal work seriously hndered,
Ii suggested by several members
OF the Appropriations committee that the
Pacific Mall Steamship company might
be induced to aCt more promptly If the
United Sta tcs were to threaten to cut Off
mail contracts with the company and
other members urged tnat the coastwlse
laws are adequate TO punish any neg
liGent act on the part OF the company.
Explain Appropriations.
Secretary TAFT was summoned before
the subcommittee to make explanations
concerning estimates for canal expenses
included I'm the additional appropriations
OF $500 600 sought in order to continue
the canal until the end Of the present
fiscal year on June 50 Secretary Taft
was accompanied by Chairman Shonts OF
the Isthmian Canal commission, Chief
Engineer Stevens. y s. Benson, general
10oltOr, ana DaNlu w lOSS, general pur.
chasing agent OF the commission
Think Estimates Moderate
Representative Tawney. chairman of
the Appropriation committee and other
members OF the deficiency subcommittee
said after the hearing that they were
convinced the estimates OF the Secretary
OF War and his assistants have been
made with great care. Mr. Tawney also
said that the review of the canal or
ganiZation shows that II is much more
perfect than many other branches of tho
Government and !s more economically
administered. There - little disposition
among the members Of the sub b-committcc
to shave the estimates, which the COM
mittee regarded as very moderate.
Supply Additional Data.
Additional data will be supplied 10 the
subcommittee by the War department
tomorrow, but it is not likely that Sec
retary Taft Will be asked TO appear
again
The canal appropriation is to be carried
in the urgent deficiency bill now I'm pre-
paration by the committee. and Will
doubtless be reported to the House the
latter part OF the week.