The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-12-08
Philippine Islands,

his trip in his report. lie found the
Islands in state of tranquility and
growing prosperity. due largely TO the
q nnge N the tariff laws which has
opened the markets of America to the
products of the Philippines and has
opened the Philippine markets to
American manufactures.
Panama Canal.
At the instance of Colonel Goothals,
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 to arise in
the near future. The progress of the
work Is most satisfactory. If no un-
expected obstacle presents itself the
canal will be completed well within the
time fixed by Colonel Goethals-to wit,
Jan. 1, 1915-and within the estimate
of cost, 1915 100000.
Among questions arising for present
solution is the decision whether the
tHllul Slull Dt nave
stated to the congress that / strongls
favor fertilization, and l now reiterate
this opinion and ask your consideration
of the subject in the light of the report
already before you made by compc-
tent board.
If in our discretion we believe mod
ern Notifications TO he necessary 60 the
adequate protection and policing of tho
canal. then it Is our duty TO construct
them. We have built the canal. 1t Is
our property. BY convention we have
indicated our desire for and indeed I'M
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 q desperate and irresponsi-
BILE enemy.
In determining what the tolls in the
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 canal. We ought not to do this
Grrt hnoo,,vn Jt,a Int,nc4e IN lao 1ot.ixro II
by the United States from this eX-
penditure are not to be measured solely
by 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 francs and rs confines fol-
one net ton by Suez canal measure
mcnt, which is modification Of
Danube measurement. A dollar ton
will secure under the figures above a
gross annua! income from the Panama
canal of nearly $7,000,000. The cost
of maintenance and operation is esti-
mated to exceed $3,000,O00.
The next question that arises is as
to the maintenance, management and
general control of the canal after its
completion. 1t should be promised
that it is an essential part of our navy
other ship supplies. drydock and
repair shops conveniently located witt
reference to naval vessels passing
through the canal. Now. If the govern
ment for naval purposes is to under
take to furnish these convencnccs tc
the navy. and they are convcnienceS
equally required by commercial YES
sells, there would seem to be strong
reasons why the government should
take over and include in its manage
mcnt the furnishing not only to the
navy. but to the public. drydock an(
repair shop facilities and the sale OF
coal. oil and other ship supplies.
The maintenance of lock canal OF
this enormous size in a sparseiy popu
lated country and in the tropics. where
the danger from disease is alway'
present, requires large and complete
and well trained organization Will
full police powers. exercising the nj
most care.
I cannot close this reference to thu
canal without suggesting as n wis'
amendment to the interstate commerce
law provision prohibiting interstate
commerce railroads from owning OF
controlling ships engaged in the trade
through the Panama canal. | believe
such provision may be needed t.
save to the people of the United States
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.
am glad to say that under the ap
proprations made for the department
of justice the attorney general has 50
| improved its organization that vas
| amount of litigation of Il civil an(
criminal character has been disposed
Of during the current year This vii
explain the necessity for slightly in
creasing the estimates for the eX
penses of the department. His repor
shows the recoveries made on behal
of the government. of duties fraudu
lently withheld, public lands improp
erly patented, fines and penalties TO
trespass. prosecutions and conviction
under the antitrust law and prosecu
lions under interstate commerce law.
invite especial attention to thu
prosecutions under the federal law o
the so called bucket shops" and o
those schemes to defraud in which thu