New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-07
MIR. SH0NTS EXAMINED.
He asks Senators to Decide ON Type
of Canal Quickly.


Washington, March s.-Chairman shonts of the
lsthmian Canal Commission under examination all
day by the Senate Canal Committee answered
questions technical and personal concerning the
plans for the construction of the great waterway
and his relations to the organization Incidentally
he left the inference that he would gladly sever
hls connection with the Glover Leaf route If this
was demanded of him. but that he would not take
MS family TO the isthmus. He gave ex-Chief Engi-
heer Wallace good record. and said that he
entitled to consideration in the matter OF taking
his family TO the sthmus.
Mr.. Shonts touched upon nearly every sr1biect on
which other witnesses were examined. and closed
py urging Congress to take action Immediately on
the type of canal to be constructed. He said that
economical procedure on the part of the Canal
commission demanded such action
The protest of Hudgns & Dumas against the
awarding of the Markell contract was first taken
up. The change Hudgns & Dumas made in
their pids after certain conditions had been called
10 their attention. said Mr.. Shonts. made their bid
hisher than that of Mr.. Markell Mr.. Taliaferro
showed that at the time the contract was let there
was no way In which the contract could be can
ceIied so long as the cOncessionaire lived up the
terms OF the concession.
Mr. shonts said he understood the right OF can
collation.. as he had stated in his letter to the
PRESIDENT. but that he had not analysed it from a
legal point of view
Mr. TaIiaferro asked Mr.. shonts for names of en-
ployes and their former railroad connections. The
Clover Leaf route; Purchasing Agent Ross. the
illinois Central Auditor Benson the Southern Pa
cine. and Chief Engineer Stevens. the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific
MR.. SHONTS AND GLOVER LEAF"
DO you intend to continue your connection as
president Of the Clover Leaf?" asked MIR, Talia-
ferro
We'll. the President spoke TO me about that. and
l told him tina: accoun, of my large holdings I
did not want to give UP the presidency. l talked
with President Roosevelt more frankly than l am
talking with you. / did want embarrass
him. He said he thought there would be no objeo-
ton to holding the place If served without sal
ary that is. If ! merely the nominal president
Then you do not know what your intentions
sre?' asked Mr.. Talaferro
The President will tell what he wants me to
do I suppose" replied Mr.. shonts He said that
he was negotiating TO get rid OF his interests
in the Clover Leaf
Mr.. Taliaferro attempted TO show that all of the
officials named had had intimate relations with
transcontinental lines. Mr.. Shonts said that the
Glover Leaf was not in any way associated with
transcontinental lines but that the other roads
mentioned might be regarded related to trans
continentals. although they would not be so called
in railroad par1ance-
Senator Morgan took up the subject of Mr.
Shonts's conversation with President Roosevelt
concerning his services with the Clover Leaf route
IF the President asked you 10 resign the presi-
dency of the Clover Leaf and sell your holdings
would you feel free to resign your commissioner
shfp?" asked Mr.. Morgan
II never had 1t presented that way" said the wit
ness las long as the President wants me to stay
and his agreements with me carried out. think
I should remain in the employ Of the government
He explained that by agreements he meant that
the President had promised him q free hand IN
carrying out his policies and his sympathy and sup
mort in administrative matters connected with
canal affairs.
WOULD NOT TAKE FAMILY.
Mr. Morgan demanded of Mr.. shonts a statement
as to what his course would be If the President in
sisted that he his family TO the isthmus
The witness said he could not afford to do that, as
the future prospects Of his children would Dc I'M
paired. He said that he could see no reason why
Mr. Wallace should not have had consideration in
regard to family matters.
Neither can L. declared Mr.. Morgan.
Mr. Morgan and Mr.. Taliaferro inquired at length
about the concession 10 the Union Oil Company Of
California to lay pipe lines across the isthmus. MI
Morgan wanted know II Mr.. Shonts had ever
heard that Mr.. Rockefeller owned the Union OIL
Company. Mr.. Shonts said he knew nothing about it
1t was brought out that the concession revo-
cable at the will of the President, and that IL
exclusive
Mr.. Kittredge brought up the sale OF bonds OF
the Panama Railroad Company. Mr. Morgan asked
whether Mr.. Obaldia, the Panaman Minister to
the United States one the directors of the rail-
road. would be involved IL it decided that the
payment OF interest these bonds declared
improper payment by the government. MIR.
Shonts thought that was legal question.
The congestion Of freight on the isthmus and the
controversy between the Panama Railroad and the
Pacific Mall Steamship Company on that subject
were brought up by Senator Kittredge. Mr.. Shonts
produced letter dated February IS from Chief
Engineer Stevens, declaring that that time
there was not a Of accumulated freight the
isthmus. He gave the records Of the arrivals and
departures Of the Pacific Mail steamers to show
that the canal authorities had not delayed the
steamship company, Mr.. Kittredge read letters
from the steamship company making directly oppo-
site statementE.
Mr.. ShoEts said that account Of the past con-
gestion of freight. there pending suits for
damages amounting TO $4,000 and claims amount
ing TO hundreds of thousands. He said there
no doubt that the congestion would cost a lot o!
money. He declared. however that the problem
was one that must and would he worked by
the men on this isthmus and that 40 legislation
could correct it On this point the members of the
committee agreed with him