Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-06

1t necessarily fell to the government 70
advance the money and perform the
work.
In addition to the benefit to our ma
val strength. the canal greatly in
creases the trade facilities Of the
United States. 1t will undoubtedly
cheaper the rates of transportation in
all freight between the eastern and
western seaboard, and it will greatly
increase that trade by reason of the
reduction in its cost Then IL we are to
have a world canal and if we are anx-
fous that the routes of the worlds
trade shall be through the Panama
canal we must recognize that we have
an active competitor in the Suez ca
nal.
Then. too, there are other means Of
crossing the isthmus-by the Tehaun-
tepec railroad and by other railroads
and freight routes in Central America
to the Atlantic side.
In all these cases the question
whether the Panama canal is 10 be
used and its tonnage increased will be
determined mainly by the charge for
its use. 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
% confines for one net ton by Suez
! canal measurement, which is a modi-
fication of Danube measurement.
A dollar ton viii secure under the
figures above gross income from the
Panama canal of nearly 100000.
The cost of maintenance and opera
ton is estimated to exceed $4,000, 900.
Ultimately, of course. with the normal
increase in trade, the income will ap-
proximate the interest charges upon
the investment
On the whole. should recommend
that within certain limits the president
be authorized to fix the tolls of the
canal and adjust them TO what seems
TO be commercial necessity.
The inquiries already made of the
chief engineer of the canal show that
the present consideration Of this ques-
ton is necessary in order that the com
merce Of the world may have time 20
adjust itself to the new conditions re-
sulting from the opening Of this new
highway.
The next question that arises is as
general control OF the canal after its
completion. It should be promised that
it IS an essential part of our navy es-
adjustment to have the coal. oil and
other ship supplies. a drydock and re-
pair shops conveniently located with
reference TO naval vessels passing
through the canal.
Now. If the government for naval
purposes is to undertake TO furnish
these cOnveniences TO the navy, and
they are conveniences equally required
by commercial vessels, there would
seem TO be strong reasons why the gov
eminent should take over and include
in its management the furnishing not
only TO the navy, but TO the public, dry
dock and repair shop facilities and the
sale of coal, oil and other ship sup
plies.
The maintenance OF n lock canal OF
this enormous size in sparsely pOpu-
lated country and IN the tropics, where
the danger from disease is always pres
ent. REQUIRES a large and complete and
we'll trained organization with full po-
lice powers. exercising the utmost care.
The visitor TO the canal who is I'm
pressed with the wonderful freedom
from tropical diseases on the isthmus
must not be misled as 10 the constant
vigilance that is needed TO preserve
this condition.
The vast machinery OF the locks. the
necessary amount Of dredging. the
preservation Of the banks Of the canal
from slides, the operation and the
maintenance OF the equipment Of the
railway will all require force, not. Of
course. to be lillened I'm any way 10 the
present organization for construction.
but skilled body Of men who can
keep in a state Of usefulness this great
instrument Of commerce.
Such in organization makes It easy
to include within its functions the fur
nishing OF drydock. fuel. repairs and
supply facilities to the trade Of the
world. These will be more essential
at the isthmus of Panama than they
are at Port Said or Suez, because there
are no depots for coal. supplies and
other commercial necessities within
thousands Of miles Of the isthmus.
Another important reason why these
anCiIlary duties may well be under
taken by the government is the oppor-
tunity for discrimination between pa
irons of the canal that is offered where
private concessions are granted for the
furnishing of these facilities. Nothing
would create greater prejudice against
the canal than the suspicion that GER
tain lines of traffic were favored in the
furnishing Of supplies or that the sup
plies were controlled 10y any large in
terest that might have a motive for
increasing the cost of the use Of the
canal.
cannot close this reference 20 the
canal without suggesting as a wise
amendment 10 the interstate commerce
law a provision prohibiting interstate
commerce railroads from owning or
controlling ships engaged I'm the trade
through the Panama canal. ! believe
such a provision may he needed 10
save to the people Of the United States