The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-16
SIMMONS WANT INFORMATION
He Discusses the BigeIow Charges as to
Conduct of Affairs i'm the Canal Zone.
North Carolinians at the Capital.


In the senate today Senator SIM
mons spoke for half an hour with ref
erence to the charges of mismanage-
ment in the work on the Panama Ca
nal, which We're made in the Indepen-
dent. by Poultney Bigelow. after a visit
to the Isthmus. The Bigelow article
charges that a scandalous condition
exists at Panama. and is attracting so
much attention that the administration
will probably make answer to it In a
few days.
The senator had only intended to
speak for a few minutes. and he called
up his resolution requesting the rea-
son of the higher salaried officers Of
the canal commission with this OBJ
iect in view. He was interrupted
several times by Senator Lodge. of
Massachusetts. and these Interruptions
made it necessary for him to go more
fully into the situation.
In the beginning Senator Simmons
said he had no desire to embarrass
any one and declared that he would
not engage in %captious criticism under
any circumstances. adding:
My feeling towards this great work
Is one Of sympathy and not of antag-
onism."
He pointed out that the character
Of work entitled employers to liberal
consideration in the matter of salaries.
but declared that there is a broad
difference between Iiberality and ex-
travagance and between generosity and
waste" He a the American peo
pie were in no humor to tolerate ex-
travagance, waste. graft or scandal
In the prosecution of this great work.
Then it was that the senator took
UP the BigelOW article, charging scan
dalous eXtraVagances and ineffciency
In the management Of the canal I'M
6ertaking. Bigelow said he had
lsthmus and talked to the practical
workers.
The ire of Senator Lodge was
aroused at the mention of Biaelow's
name, n he asked y series of ques-
lions he purport of which was that
BigelOW had only spent tWenty-four
hours on the ISthmuS.
Senator Simmons said he had no in
formation on this subject. but that a
w days stay at the cities of Panama
and Colon. would probably AVE en-
abled him to make all necessary in
vestigations at these points.
Il do not mean to assert the truth
of these charges" said Senator Sim
mons" but I do mean to declare here
that there is in the public mind the
impression that there is something
radically wrong in the administration
of affairs upon the Isthmus and tina
a thorough investigation of the situa-
ton is demanded.
District Attorney Harry Skinner
n Marshal Dockery returned home
tonlght Mr.. Skinner called at the
White House. where he had an inter-
view with the President. whom he
thanked for disappointment. Mar
shall Dockery called at the Depart
ment Of Justice. probably to file his
papers for disappointment. He has
fine endorsements and it is said that
his record as an official is excellent.
Mr.. Dockery has heard that he is not
to be appointed again, but he has not
given UP his fight and is relying on
his record before the department.
A number of Republican statesmen
are here, %ex-Judge Timberlake. B.
Frank McBane. B. F. Keith, J.. Kirby
Pope. assayer of the Charlotte mint.
n Postmaster Dorset. of Spencer,
came todaV. They were busy around
the capitol.
Two important bills affecting the
trial of civil cases in the United States
courts have peer introduced by Repre-
sentative Claude Kitchin. One of these
measures limits the removal of civil
causes from the state to Federal
courts unless the matter in dispute,
exclusive of interest and costs exceeds
the sum of $4,000. The present limit
is $4,000. In speaking of the Justice
of this bill Mr.. Kitchin pointed out
thai the limit began with $500. and
that it had been gradually increased
with the growth in business. population
and wealth of the country. The prog
ress Of the country in recent years in
the limit to $4,000. and is also neces-
sary to check the accumulation of
cases in the Federal courts. where
costs are higher to litigants.
Mr.. Kitchin's other MEASURE would
prevent the remova of cases by nom
resident corporations from state into
United States courts. The effect of the
passage of this bill would be to make
the Craig act. which was declared un-
constitutional by the United States
Supreme court in the case of Allison
US. Railroad. national in scope. The
Craig act required all foreign corpora
tons to dOmesticate in North Carolina
so as to prevent remova from the
state courts.-Washington City Special
to News and Observer.