The Washington times., 1906-01-28
E|GHT-HOUR DAY lI6llG
DOOMED ON CANAL
Senate Committee Opposed
to Law.
WANTS UNRESTRICTED LABOR
Senator Millard Also Says Report Will
Be Made III Favor of Contract
Construction.

II suppose it is safe enough 20 say
that there is hardly any doubt that
three things will be favored BY the com
mittee," said Senator MlIlard. chairman
OF the upper house Committee on Inter
oceanic Canals. "One OF these is the
contract plan of construction. Another
Is the abolition of the eight-hour sys-
tenn on the zone and the third is the
admission there Of any kind OF laborers
who are willing to work tbere-Chiness
or any other kind"
Ihis much may be given as a sum
mary or the legislation which is thus
far forecast as result OF the extend
ed hearings the, committee Is holding on
the subject Of canal affairs. Beyond this.
matters are not far enough developed to
make accurate forecasts possible
Bill, Sure. Possibly Two.
The committee has not given any
thought 70 the work OF formulating into
a measure the results and conclusions
OF it's study Of canal concerns. It will,
however, have a measure. or, perhaps, a
series Of measures, 10 lay before the
Senate as a result OF It's Investigations
which viii rank among the most inn
portant business Of the session.
Among the phases yet 20 be decided
upon by the committee are the moneta-
~ problem. the type OF canal 70 be
built, the question OK recognizing the
commission, and determining what its
duties shall be when the work is done
by contract. the reform in some regards
OF the relations OF the. Panama railroad
tc the canal work and 10 commercial
transportation. and a number Of other
difficult propositions.
May Change Commission.
If the canal is built 10y contraet-and
this now seems altogether likely-the
commissions relations to it viii be en-
ureiy changed. Instead OF a general
managerial board, charged with ulti-
mate supervision over everything. the
board would then become a. mere super
visory body. II would make contracts
in accordance with the lavs, and then
see that they were performed according
to specifications. It's numbers might be
Teduced-and there is q strong senti-
ment in favor Of this-and it's member
ship might be decidedly changed.
For right here comes in the question
of Chairman ShOnts' future relation TO
the work He has admitted 10 the com
mittee that he is still drawing a large
salary as a railroad officer. aIAd there
is a determined disposition in the COM
mittee TO make a final protest against
this. The committee wants all mis- time
and interest given tO the canal work.
and there is serious threat that he can
not be confirmed as commissioners unless
he accedes 10 this condition.
The committee has not given much
as yet TO the que stion of
what il viii do about the nofninations
g5a
seven Of them, none conhrmeCs but all
acting under recess appointment :. The
fact that this question has been post
poned by the committee is considered
significant Of the committees desire
10 decide, first, whether IL wants 10 leg
isiate the present commission plan out
of existence. and try a new onle. II
that is the decision. the unpleasanq ques-
tion OF turning down nominees Pf the
President might be avoided
Not Done With Shonts.
Mr.. shonts WIN be before the commit
tee again on lTuesday. and it is expect
ed he VIII stit occupy two or three days
before concluding his testimony.
The canal Commission has concluded
its consideration OF the majority and
reports from the board of con-
sulting engine ers, and the decision OF
the commission will be forwarded to
the Secretary Of War and probably
made public SOON It is practically GER
tain, and has be IN for months. that the
will favor a lock canal, and
that il viii be salmost or quite unani-
nous in this recommendation.
Chief Engineer Stevens left for New
York, whence hes will sail for the zone,
Immediately afterf the commission con.
cluded its consids Grafton OF the advis'
ory boards report.