The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1912-03-08
NO FAVORITES IN
CANAL TRAFFIC
All Nations to Pay Same Tolls
When Great Waterway
Opens.

WASHINGTON, February 27-The
rate charged American ships for the use
of the Panama Canal will not be lower
than that paid by the ships of other
nations.
The President will have authority to
prescribe the canal tolls, but they shall
not be higher than $1.25 a ton net. Sim
ilarly, the toll for each passenger
through the canal shall not be more
than $3.50.
Any attempt to obstruct or destroy
the canal shall be punishable by sem
tence of ten years in Jail or fine of
$4,000 or both.
In time of war, the canal zone win be
under the direct control of the COM
mandant of the United States forces.
These are the principal provisions Of
the proposed Panama Canal act, as it
will be reported by the house commit
tee on interstate and foreign commerce
within the next few days.
No Trespassers Allowed.
The bill will pay particular attention
to the protection of the canal from
harm by spies or agents of other gov
ernments. In addition to the clause
providing long Imprisonment and heavy
fines for any person who attempts to
blow up a part of the canal or other
wise obstruct it, the bill will provide
that, after the canal is opened, no per-
son except a United States soldier or
employe of the canal shall be permit
ted to remain in the canal zone. An
offense in this direction will be pun
ished by fine of $500 or a year in
jail, or both.
Furthermore, if the efforts of any
person to damage the canal shall re-
/ suit in death to any one, the offender
will be charged with murder and pun
ished accordingly.
| The President of the United States is
to be given complete authority over the
government of the canal zone.
Zone to Have Governor.
When, in his opinion, the construc-
ton of the canal has proceeded to tho
point where the services of the 18th
milan Canal Commission shall no longer
be necessary, he may disband it and
appoint a governor. The appointment
of the governor will be done with the
consent of the senate. The salary Of
the governor will be $4,000, and his
term four years.
The only vessels to be allowed free
passage through the canal will be those
belonging to the United States govern
ment, the government of the Republic
of Panama, and the Panama Railroad
Company.
The bill does not specify the basis
on which the tolls shall be determined,
whether on gross or net registered
tonnage or displacement tonnage, but
it provides that when based on the net
registered tonnage of ships of commerce
the rate shall not exceed $1.25 ton. !.
The United States government will
be permitted to pass its troops, mate
rails, supplies, etc., free of charge.
Rebate for Return Trip.
As inducement to vessels to make
use of the canal both ways on voy'
age, the bill will provide that when
ship passes through, in ballast, and
pays toll, it will be given rebate Of
so per cent. of the amount it paid or
that trip, provided it passes back
!, again with cargo.
, For the purpose of providing every
facility to vessels that use the canal
. the President is to be authorized Il
Q establish drydocks, repair shops
t Yards, docks, storehouses, warehouses
coal yards, etc, primarily for the u.s.
: of ships owned by the government
. but also to provide other vessels witt
: repairs, and such things as they need
q in emergencies.
with an eye to ultimately increasing
. the Notifications of the canal, tn
/ President will be given authority t
acquire, by treaty with the Repubii
5 of Panama, any additional land need
o ed for the operation, maintenance
l. sanitation or fertilization of the bi
project. - :.
confirm all laws, orders, regulation
r and ordinances adopted for the govern
{ ment, sanitation and construction Q
the canal.
j. Furthermore, it will recognize an
a confirm the existing courts, establlsne
: by executive order, and will proyid
. for the prompt adjustment of claim
n for damages, etc.
n The President also is given author
ty to establish wireless telegraph ST
g, lions throughout the canal zone.