The Washington times., 1906-02-13

Governor Magoon. in his testimony be
fore the Senate Committee on Inter
oceanic Canals today said that the
United States Government saved at least
81, 500 per year by the concentration of
the various Offices which he holds. under
one head. He said that he received a
salary of S17 500 a year for being gov
ernor of the zone, member of the board
of commissioners. minister to Panama.
seneraI counsel on the isthmus, and
member of the executive committee on
the isthmus.
He then went into details regarding the
salaries of his Office force. submitting
statement of the pay rolls directly under
his charge.
Given BigelOw's Article.
Asked if he had read the Poultney
Bigelow article on ''Mismanagement of
Canal Affairs. - the governor said he had
not He was then given copy of the
article and asked to post himself upon
the contents 10 be able TO reply To the
accusations Mr.. Bigelow had made. He
then gave an exposition OF the educa-
tionaI facilities on the isthmus. Four
teen schools had been established, These
schools were well attended.
AS TO the condition existing for chill
dren on the zone, Mr.. Magoon said that
the inadequate number of living quar-
ters prevented those employed on the
canal from bringing their families to
the isthmus.
The people there" he said. were
not as apprehensive of the climatic con
ditiOns and the prevalence OF disease
as were the corps of physicians engaged
TO the standard The sick rate was
about 70 TO 1000 House to house inspec-
ttons had been made by the Government
last fall and the reports of the physi-
clans indicate that the sanitary situa-
ton was in good shape"
The Labor Question.
On the labor question. he opposed the
adoption of the eight-hOur law. He said
he did not think ii should be made ap-
plicable to any class Of laborers out
side of the limits of the United States.
The commission is in great need of car
penters. he said, and those there now
were not opposed to working overtime
The common laborer on the isthmus was
inefficient, he said.
Senator KiJJredge inteTfered here and
said that the labor conditions were full
~ covered in the reports of the board
or consulting engineers. which have not
as Yet been made public Senator Sim
mons wanted to draw the witness out
on this subject. but Mr.. Kittredge
thought the question should not be dis
cussed at this time
The governor made a strong plea for
the maintenance OF the present sani-
tary corps of the army and navy now
under Colone Gorgas. Upon direct ex-
animation by Senators Knox and Nor
san he said chat any change in the sys-
ten would be detrimental TO the inter
ests of the canal
After short recess for luncheon the
committee resumed its Interrogation of
the governor at O'Clock
senator MillaFd, chairman Of the com
mittee has asked William Nelson
Cromwell and Joseph w. Markell to ad-
wise MN OF a date during next week
when II would be convenient for them
10 appear before the committee. Mr.
cromwell viii be examined concerning
the monetary arrangement made be-
tween the lsthmian canal and the Pan
anna railroad on one side and the re-
pubic or Panama on the other side TO
rency.
II, It was intinIated this morning that
the committee, when it makes its re-
port 10 the Senate, will recommend that
legislation be enacted to allow ero
ployes on the zone 10 send any portion
OF thelr salary TO the States without
Of Panama
According to the existing arrange
ments the Republic of Panama thfOngh
It's bankers can exact a fee up to 3
per cent. for Issuing drafts to canal
employees. No emplOye on the zone is
other form than currency. The ma
JorIty or the committee does not favor
the continuance of such an arrange
ment
Mr.. Markell will be asked to axnlaip
the arrangements leading I'D to the OH
tanning, and subsequent revOkine 0f
the food contract that created a small
sensation last fall