The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-10
MAGOON TALKS ON
 CANAL AFFAIRS Sanitation Force is Doing Ex-
 cellent Work MORGAN IS QUESTI0NER Officials Proceed on the Theory That Both Yellow Fever and Malaria
 Are Carried By the
 Mosquitoes.
MORGAN IS QUESTIONER

Mosquitoes.
 Washington. February 9.-Charles r. Magoon. governor of the Panama canal on interoceanic canals today and gave his testimony in connection with the investi- gatlon of the canal work. In response to request from Chairman Willard, Gov ernor Magoon outlined conditions on the sthmus when he was assigned to duty there last spring. He had, he said found an excellent organization for the gov ernment zone. but that the men there were much overworked and very anxious over the possible effects of the reorganf- zation. No removals were made
 The sanitary force was also we'll or ganzed and it had done and Is now doing excellent work. The government has been especially fortunate in securing in that force a number of army men who had been engaged in the sanitary work of Cuba. He gave details regarding the ravages of yellow fever last season and said that while most of the victims were white men, some were colored. The na- tives were not, however entirely immune. He said he had accepted the doctrine that mosquitoes are the agents in spreading yellow fever, but that no other proven tive methods had been neglected
 Do you believe" asked Senator Nor gan. that with all the mosquitoes killed that the disease would disappear"
 No" replied the witness. But we are trying now to get rid of the mosquitoes to kill them off
 Malaria Spread By Mosquitoes.
 "A pretty big undertaking" suggested the Alabama senator, and Governor Ma goon assented, adding that 1t is very diff ficult to make any tropical climate health full for men from temperate climates. He said the authorities are also proceeding on the theory that malaria is spread by mosquitoes.
 Senator Morgan questioned the witness closely concerning the origin of yellow fever in Panama, himself insisting that the fever is native there. Governor Ma goon contended that fever conditions thefs are better than formerly
 Governor Magoon mentioned the fast that the chief justice of the canal zone was not a citizen of the United States. Senator Morgan made some inquiries concerning the propriety of such an ap- pontment and the witness replied that the selection was based upon the prece- dents established in the Philippines and Porto Rico. He saw no reason why such an appointment could not be properly made.
 Asks About BigeIow's Charges.
 Senator Knox questioned the governor as to the truth of MT. Poultney Bigelow E charges as to the incapacity of the court and Governor Magoon replied that the chief Justice had for years been chief justice of the Panama supreme court, and Is an able lawyer He also spoke In praise of Judges Collins and Gudger say ing they were good lawyers. Gudger speaks Spanish and Collins French. He had heard many compliments for the court and no complaint. Under eXamina . ton by Senator Morgan, the question was raised whether the courts as con stituted by the isthmian canal comnlis- sion could deny to an American citizen his inherent right to trial by Jury when charged with capital offense. Judge Magoon said that presented serious question In q general discussion of the subject Senator Knox said he should like 10 know 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 Tn 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 decision would be If an American going to possessions of the United States were tried and convicted in like manner. recess was then taken.
 Al the afternoon session Judge Magoon continued his explanation of the govern ment of the canal zone. He said that tho apparent 40 per cent profit made by the government through the Panama zone by the purchase and use of Panamanian stamps, surcharged canal zone" would not pay the cost of the postal service in the zone He testified at lenghth 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 of the United States has in establishin 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 50 cents for articles.
 Necessity for Coinage System.
 Discussing the necessity for the coin age system and the agreement by which the United States agreed to maintain the parity and the associated banks agreed to supply silver to the commission. Gov ernor Magoon said that the new cur rency became so popular that it was al- most immediately absorbed by the com msrce.
 Senator Morgan asked if the United States should not establish a sub treas ury on the isthmus to aggregate the nec- essary silver Governor Magoon replied that that could be done, but that as rapidly as the silver was shipped to the treasury and paid out it would disa ppear and never come back: that the people liked the money because 1t was stable and 1t drove out all other circulating me- dlums
 That Is about the most logical free silver plan exploited since Mir Cleve- land" began Senator Morgan. He had meant to say MT. Bryan. but after a pause ne completed his observation as he began and repeated since MT. Clevc- land dsa ppeared.'
 The examination of Governor Magoon will be resumed Monday.
 Jim Crow Law In Virginia.