The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-12-08

products Of the Philippines and has
opened sthe Philippine markets to
American manufactures.
Panama Canal.
At the Instance OF Colonel Goeihals,
the army engineer officer In charge Of
the work on the Panama canal, have
Just made visit to the Isthmus to In.
spect the work done and to consult
with him on the ground as to certain
problems which are likely 10 arise IN
the near future. The progress OF the
work Is most satisfactory. II no IN,
expected obstacle presents itself the
canal VIII be completed wen within the
time fixed by Colonel Goethals--to wit,
jan, !, l1015-and within the estimate
Of cost, s375,00O.000.
Among questions arising for present
q0Iutiors Is the decision whether the
cqhal shall be fortified. ! have already
50 tied 10 the cong ess that | strongly
fxyd fSrtiHcaion; lind I now relteratc
this opinion and ask your consideration
Of the subject in the light of the report
already before you made by compe
tent board.
II In our discretion we believe mod.
ern fortincatlons to be necessary to the
adequate protection and policing OF the
canal, then 1t is our duty 10 construct
them. We have built the canal. 1t is
our property. BY convention we have
indicated our desire for and indeed IN
dertaken its universal and equal use
1t is also well known that one of the
chief objects in the construction of the
canal has been to increase the military
effectiveness Of our navy.
Failure to fortify the canal would
leave the attainment Of both these
aims In the position Of rights and OBJ
legations which we should be powerless
to enforce and which could never In
any other way be absolutely safeguard
ed against desperate and irresponsi-
Bile enemy.
u In determining what the tolls in the
canal should be we certainly ought not
to Insist that for good many years
to come they should amount to enough
to pay the interest on the investment
Of s400.000.000 which the United
States has made in the construction
OF the -eahpl. We ought not to do this.
first. because the benefits TO be derived
by the United States from this ex-
penditure are not to be measured solely
by a return upon the investment
My own impression is that the tolls
ought not to exceed 81 per net ton. On
Jan. /, 1911. the tolls in the Suez canal
are to be q francs and % confines for
one net ton by Suez canal measure
ment, which Is modification OF
Danube measurement. A dollar ton
wuH secure under the figures above a
gross annual income from the Panama
canal Of nearly 50 100000 The cost
Of maintenance and operation is esti.
smatcdkto exceed &3.000.000.
The next question that arises Is as
to the maintenance, management and
general control OF the canal after its
completion. It should be promised
that it is an essential part OF our navy
establishment TO have the coal. Oh and
other ship supplies. a drydcck and
repair shops. conveniently located witt
reference sts naval- -vessels. passing
through tlsecanaL Now. II the govern
ment for naval purposes is to under
take to furnish these conveniences to
the navy, and they are couveniences
equally required by commercial YES.
sells. there would seem to be strong
reasons why the government should
take over and include In its manage.
ment the furnishing not only TO the
navy, but TO the public. drydock and
repair shop facilities and the sale Of
coal. oil and other ship supplies.
The maintenance Of n lock canal Of
this enormous size In sparsely pepu
lated country and In the tropics. where
the danger from disease Is always
present. requires large and complete
and well trained organization with
full police powers. exercising the Ut
most care.
I cannot close this reference 10 The
canal without suggesting rs a wise
amendment to tho Interstate commerce
law provision prohibiting interstate
commerce railroads from owning Of
controlling ships engaged In the trade
through the Panama canal. believe
such n provision may be needed &c
save TO the people OF the United State:
the benefits Of the competition In trade
between the eastern and western sea
boards which this canal was construct
cd to secure.
Department Of Justice.
I am glad 10 say that under the ap
preparations made Tor the department
OF Justice tbs attorney general has 50
improved its organization that vast
amount Of lItIgntiOn Of a civil and
criminal character has been disposed
OF during the current year. This will
explain the necessity for slightly In
creasing the estimates for the ex
pcnses OF the department Ills report
shows the rccoverics made on behalf
OF the government. OF duties fraudu
lcntly wsthheld. public lands irpprop
criy patented. fines and penalties FOL
trcspass. prosecutions and conviction.
a.