Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-18
THE CANAL HEARING.
Col. Cocktails Gives Committee Points
Kick at the "Canal Record"

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE question
Of the propriety of the Isthmian Canal
Commissions issuing an official news
paper for the dissemination of infor-
nation about the progress of the work
al Panama caused Il somewhat lively
discussion In the hearing before the
Senate committee on inter-oceanic ca
nails today. There was an echo of the
debate in the Senate two years ago,
when the literary bureau, conducted
by James Buclilin Bishop. the present
editor Of the Canal Record, was round
~ scored as q government institution
which had no right to exist and event.
ually resulted in a promise to cease
publication in the face of an amend
ment by Senator Culber3on to abolish
the bureau. Senator CulbarsDn init
mated today that the promise had not
been kept.
While Col. GoethalS was bainS ques-
toned as to the canal work by various
members of the committee, Senator
CulberSon asked that the remarks he
made in the Senate in 1905 concerning
the literary bureau be placed in the
record of the hearings and he handed
UP a copy of his remarks for that pur:
explained why the paper was estab-
lished, and said that it was now being
run to show the men all along the line
what was being done.
1T does good" said the colonel. be
cause ii keeps the men Informed of
official orders and fosters a spirit of
rivalry as to the amount of work that
is daily accomplished at different
points,
"Why should not all branches of the
government get out newspapers to show
what they are doing" asked McCom-
Der.
Other members of the committee an
sweied that practically all the bureaus
did issue information about themselves
through their regular reports. Col.
Goethals asserted that there was
scarcely a branch of the government,
including the army and navy. that did
not have its means of getting press
publicity and keeping its own members
Informed as to what they We're doing.
Senator Blackburn. n member of the
commission, who was waiting to tes-
tify. here entered the discussion at the
invitation of Col. Cocktails and asstrted
that the canal was being constructed
1000 miles from home and that it was
quite fitting that there should be some
means Of acquainting it's employees. and
even congressman, as to what was go
ing on in regard to the work.
Senator Flint took a similar view OF
the matter and inquired with some an
jmation: "Now, about the state de-
partment and it's daily consular re-
ports. Is any fault found with the de-
partment?"
He directed his querry to Senator
Culberson. who Immediately replied:
This proceeding in Panama is an in
novation, and assurances were, made
in the open Senate that the publication
would not be continued"
The senator is assuming that the Ca
nal Record Is of the same character as
which he terms the literary bureau tina
formerly existed" interjected Senate,
Blackburn.
1T is far worse" replied Culberson
1T Is many times worse than the orig
inal Institution that was condemned ir
the Senate by the committee on appro.
priatlors. At this time Bishop simply
made weekly report and gave infor'
nation to the press for which he was
paid an annual salary of $4,000. Now
lie gives it out by publishing a weekly
paper"
THAT is where I dissent from the SEN
ator," said Mr. Blackburn
Senator Flint expressed himself az be-
ing In entire sympathy with the Cana
Record. Col. Cocktails promised TO de-
liver to the committee some figures con.
corning It's cost