Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-02-10
MACON BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
Governor of Canal Zone Says Cone
ditions Are Improving.

GONernOr OF Cannl zone says COn=
ditions Are Improving.
WASHINGTON, Feb. e.-Charles r. Ma
COON. governor Of the Panama canal zone,
was before the senate committee on in
teroceanic canals today and gave his testi-
mony in connection with the investigation
Of the canal wor.
In response to a request from Chairman
Millard Governor Magoon outlined condi-
tons on the isthmus when he was as
signed to duty there last spring. He had,
he said. found an excellent organization
for the government zone. but that the men
there were much overworked and very
anxious over the effects of the reorganiza-
ton. No removals were adopted. The
sanitary force was also well organized and
It had done and is now doing excellent
work. The government had been especially
fortunate In securing in. that force a num-
Der OF army men who had been engaged IN
the sanitation Of Cuba
Governor Magoon contended that fever
conditions in Panama are better than
formerly.
Under examination by Senator Morgan
the question was raised whether the
courts, as constituted by the Isthmian
Canal commission. could deny to an Amer
lean citizen his inherent right to trial by
jury when charged with a capital offense.
Judge Magoon said that presented a serious
question.
In general discussion of the subject
Senator Knox said he should not like to
decide what the ruling OF the United States
supreme court would be in this matter.
Jury trials are not had in the canal zone,
nor In the Philippines and in the latter
the supreme court had upheld the system
as applied to the trial of a native Filipino.
senator Knox said he could not say what
the difference would be If an American,
going to possessions of the United States,
were tried and convicted in like manner.
A recess was then taken.
At the afternoon session Judge Maqoon
continued his explanation of the govern
ment OF the canal zone. He said that the
apparent 40 per cent profit made by this
government through the purchase and use
OF Panama stamps surcharged canal zone
would not pay the cost Of the postal service
In the zone. He testified at length con-
corning land titles in the zone and said
legislation would be necessary to adjust
many of them. About half Of the lands
there are claimed by private parties. One
explanation given by Governor Magoon of
the interest the United States had in es-
tabltshing the Panama currency was that
the use OF American money doubled the
price of everything. as the people wanted
as many silver dollars worth 100 cents as
they had received pesos worth so cents for
articles sold
Discussing the necessity for the coinage
system and the agreement to maintain
parity, and the associated banks agree.
ment to supply silver to the commission
Governor Magoon said that the new cur
rency became so popular that it was al.
most Immediately absorbed by commerce.
Senator Morgan asked II the United States
should not establish a subtreasury on the
isthmus to aggregate the necessary silver
Governor Magoon replied that that could
be done, but that as rapidly as the silve,
was shipped to the treasury and paid out
1t would disappear and never come back
that the people liked the money because II
was stable and 1t drove out all other cir.
culating mediums. THAT Is about the
most logical free silver plan exploited
since Mr.. Cleveland" began Senator Nor.
gan. He had meant to say Mr.. Bryan, but
after pause he completed his observation
as he began and repeated. "since Mr.
Cleveland disappeared" The examination
OF Governor Magoon will be resumed Mon.
day.