The Washington times., 1908-12-26
LAW MAKERS LEAVE
FOR CANAL ZONE
Pay Own Expenses in Desire
to Learn Existing
Conditions.

Bent on the study Of a problem in CO.
lOnial administration which is uniuut.
In the experience Of the United States,
or any other country, a large Congr=s-
sional party is today sailing from New
York to Panama on the steamship
Atlanta.
Senators and Representatives. many of
them accompanied by members OF their
families, with a number OF other people
who so for the purpose of observing
conditions in the canal region, will
make up the ships company. They will
stay seven days on the zone. but il is
promised the time viii be fully occu-
pied
The trip Is taken under the auspices
Of uhe House Committee on Interstate
Commerce President Roosevelt some
time ago indicated to Chairman Hep
burn the wish that the committee might
make first-hand investigation Of con-
ditions relating to the civil government
Of the canal strip The members OF the
party will pay their own expenses.
Popular Diversion.
Investigating the canal is going 10 be
mighty popular for a spell now. Presi-
dent-elect Taft will shortly 20 down
10 look into the engineering situation.
Despite assurances from the highest
sources. that this survey has no special
significance. and that here is no misEiv-
ing as TO the lock plan Of construction.
the impression is getting firmly fixed
that ths situation Is not altogether re-
assuring
The President has been anxious that
Mr.. TAFT should make this tcip; hut in
White House quarters the Hotjgn Of
trouble over the type Of canal IS scout
ed. 1t was explained that the President
wants this inspection for just the same
reason that. If he were administration
of city, he would want a sl-yscraper
inspected from time TO time Iurii.g the
process of building
The fact that an inspector had been
sent TO the building would De evidence,
not that the building was ABOUT 20 col
lapse, but that the inspector was A.
tending TO his business. The President
las no notion whatever thai there is
any STOuni for concern about either inc
plan OF construction, or ,he progress
that Is making
Sensational Stories.
Along with the sensational stories
that the foundations for the Gatun
dam have been found defective. there
has also been persistent allegations of
serious Generalization on the zone. II
has been said that Colonel GoethaIs.
chairman and chief engineer Of the
commission, has been greatly dlssatis-
fed with conditions of his employment
for some time past. and that he was
only induced TO continue. In order 10
give opportunity for reorganization Of
conditions with the least possible en-
Frrrr
stories likewise are declared TO be The
Iuerest fabriCatiOns. The Government s
advices are that the organization is
boo excellent shape and getting better
all the time and that everybody con
u""t ad with It i'm any responsible Capa-
city IS confident and enthusiastic
The Congressional paTty'S visit relates
TO the organization of permanent and
satisfactory civil government. At pres
cut the zone is governed under the
President, on authority conferred
through appropriation measures the
SpOOneT act and some other delegation.
of power.
Courts Criticised.
The situation IS very unsatisfactory.
The courts Of the zone have been much
under criticism. No venue Of appeal IS
provided, and there have been cases
Of capital punishment as the result Of
a trial in a primary court, from which
no appeal was possible II has been
proposed to attach the zone TO some
one OF the Southern circuits Of the Fed
eraI courts I'm order TO obviate this CON
ditiOn.
Conflicts between the powers and j1Ir-
isdlction Of the United States and the
Panama republic are unavoidable. as
matters stand. The Panama govern
ment, the military authorities, and the
civil officers find themselves trying "a
divide up the administration Of the zone
and II has been called the most governed
and the worst governed possession OF
the United States
The Congressional committees want "a
work out a complete new plan Of ad-
ministratiOn as a result Of their investi-
CATION