The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-01-30
SR0ET'S ON I'NB STAND
Tells Senate Committee He Gets
$I7, 900 From Glover Leaf Road.
GIVES NO TINE TO MANAGEMENT
Chairman Ct Canal Commission Also
Receives $4,000 a Year From Gov
ernment-Families Of La5orers Ia

Dhdirn an CT CaHdl OOHliilSelOn nav
Receives $4,000 a Year From Gov.
ernment-Familes Of .La5orers Ia
ken to Canal Zone.
Washington. Jen. Z. That he
draws $4,000 annually from the Clio
yer Leaf route IS an admission made
hy Theodore p. Shonts. chairman Of
the isthmian canal commission. which
may have an important bearing on the
canal investigation MIR. Shonts was
called blythe senate interoceanic canal
committee to make a general state
menr of all matters over which he OK
ercisos control He was asked to state
his former employment He said that
he had been president OF the Glover
Leaf route Alter giving the mileage
of that road and some other general
information, il was brought out that he
still received $4,000 a year, and con-
tinuos TO hold the title of president.
He said that he does not give any time
TO the management OF the road but
that reports are sent 10 him. and fPe-
qucntly officials Of the road come to
Washington to consult him.
After getting into the record the
fact that Mr. Shonts receives 100000
wear from the United States. the
chairman OF the commission was al
lowed to proceed. 1t was stated by
members of the committee. however.
that when they take up the question
Of reviewing salaries. Mr. ShOnts' case
will be met Mr. Shonts, in interest
inc testimony admitted that the com
mission had paid for the importation
of women into the canal zone. the wo-
men being the families of laborers
from Martinique and that there is no
WY for the government TO recover its
money.
Mr.. Shonts expressed the opinion
that the canal commission should feed
its laborers. hut said several older
men in the isthmus service believed
in the contract system. Ifices for all
foodsturs we're high when the pres
ent commission took hold Of affairs
on the isthmus. said Mr. ShOnts, and
he then told Of opening the commits
sary department to the laborers In
order to remedy these conditions. He
discussed the market contract Mr.
Shonts testified that of the POO houses
left By the French. about 1000 were
now IN good condition The hotels
have been enlarged. and new houses
and hotels built. said the witness. He
agreed with a suggestion by Senator
Morgan that If a change is made by
which the canal Is built by contract,
the present hotel and houses may be
sufficient for the needs. "No matter
how the canal IS built" he said. there
are two things over which the United
Statots should always exercise con
trol-the government Of the zone and
the sanitation.
In reply to questions by Senator
German. Mr.. Shonts said the commits
sion had plans for six hotels, two Of
which arc approaching completion He
said he could not tell just. how much
more accommodations would be need
cd until the type Of canal is deter.
mined. The appropriations had been
sufficient 10 carry on the work until
July l. and that ITO make dirt NY
about $500 white men. and from 10000
to $4,000 cGlore1 men are all that
could be accommodated under the
present conditions.