Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-16
CONGESTION OFFREIGHT
CHARGES AGAINST SOUTHERN
PACIFIC RAILWAY.

Charges by Secretary Taft and Chief En-
gineer Stevens of the isthmian canal COM
mission, that the Southern Pacific Railway
Is responsible for the freight congestion on
the 1sthmus Of Panama, formed the most
interesting development of a four hours
hearing yesterday on canal affairs before
the deficiency subcommittee OF the House
committee on appropriations.
The Southern Pacific Railway Company
controls the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
pany, according to the statement of the
Secretary of War and Mr.. Stevens, who
say that since the abrogation of the freight
agreement between the Panama railroad
and the steamship company the latter has
been dilatory in calling for San FrancIsCo
freight the west side of the sthmus. 1t
is charged that steamers frequently refuse
TO stop to take on freight and even leave
port with only partial cargo, while great
quantities of freight lie on the wharves.
1t was alleged that the apparent motive
for this course on the part of the steam
ship company was 10 so hinder materials
intended for the canal delivered at Colon
by the steamships operated by the govern
mert from New York that shipments would
be necessary over the lines of the Pacific
Mail from San Francisco. That the block
ade had had this effect was asserted by
Chief Engineer Stevens, who said that sew
eral cargoes had been shipped via San
Francisco and over the Pacific Mail line
for this very reason. Other shipments
will go this way unless end can be
| made to the blockade.
AS there are no warehouses on the west
side of the isthmus it Is impossible for the
railroad company to store the congested
freight on that side of the isthmus until
it can be shipped to San Francisco Con-
sequently the storage and docking facilities
on the east side of the isthmus are said
to be constantly overtaxed and the canal
work seriously hindered
1t was suggested by several members of
the appropriations committee that the Pa
cffic Mail Steamship Company might be
induced to act more promptly If the United
States were to threaten to cut off mail con-
tracts with the company. and other mem
bers urged that the coastwise shipping laws
are adequate to punish any neglect on the
part Of the company.
Secretary Taft was summoned before the
subcommittee to make explanations con-
corning estimates for canal expenses in
Guided in the additional appropriation of
$4,000 sought in order to continue the
canal work until the end of tho present
fiscal year on June 80. Secretary Taft was
accompanied by Chairman Shonts of the
isthmian canal commission, Chief Engineer
Stevens, E. S. Benson, general auditor, and
David w. Ross, the general purchasing
agent of the commission. All of these Off
Gals assisted the Secretary in answering
the questions of members of the subcom-
mittee and making clear the estimates.
Representative Tawney, chairman of the
appropriations committee, and other MEM
bers of the deficiency subcommittee, said
after the hearing that they We're convinced
che estimates of the Secretary of War and
his assistants have been made with great
care. Mr.. Tawney also said the review OF
the canal organization shows that it is
much more perfect than many other
branches of the government and is more
economically administered. There is little
disposition among the members Of the sub
committee to shave the estimates, which
the subcommittee regarded as very mod
crate.
The canal appropriation is to be carried
in the urgent deficiency bill now in prep
aration by the committee, and Wiz doubt
less be reported TO the House the latter
part of the week.