The Hawaiian star., 1912-05-31
PANAMA LEGISLATION.
new balance.

Congress provide regulations this session for the operation
and maintenance OF the Panama Canal The enactment OF the bill
that in the discussion Of plans for securing early adjournment
possible placed first order after the of the inevitable
supply bills The passage of the bill will mark of the greatest
achievements the worlds history and begin chapter the
chronicle of international commercial industrial and diplomatic affairs
The Panama Canal unique all respects It's initiation involved
intricate questions requiring su diplomacy and tactful legislation
knowledge
and tribute the genius of those who have had charge The
two oceans met with tragic failure heir experiment offered little
and furnished but few lessons value America
building of this highway of the Untred difficulties
met and conquered original methods invented and the United States
has succeeded where all others have failed.
absence Of 6dns Members Of Congress in both the House and
have famlarzed possible with the
affairs of the Canal Zone Repeated journeys have been made there
exhaustive hearings held which the testimony Of experts has
been given all phases of the situation both the canal itself
and line of business and navigation affected
Armed with this information the House Committee Interstate and
Foreign Commerce prepared and reported the bill for final
enactment.
The principal in the bill over which there is disagree
ment are the questions first whether not steamships which
canal and second what tolls shall be paid coming through
These are vay important the commercial interests much
ing the proposed legislation.
The House Committee first reported the bill recommending that
before steamships belonging companies the
part Of owned by railroads should be admitted canal
1t alleged in defense Of this provision that engaged in
coastwe trade owned by railroads. that
petition under present conditions Since the opening of the canal will
greatly increase the Importance of the coaswse argued
at % raS would have greater opportunities for favorable traffic
transportation
of the question The Interstate Committee took the
matter again and finally reported the present provision the bill
which provides that shall be unlawful for any company
or other common carrier subject the Act Regulate Commerce
to lease operate, control whatsoever M
stock ownership otherwise directly indirectly through anv hold
company other
with which said railroad other aforesaid
pete for traffic. and of the violation of
which such violation continues shall be deemed
With reference to this provision the committee declared
the bill primarily designed only provide the
of the canal egate concerning trade
1T would not be fair said Chairman Adamson among
coaswise vessels all of which important The apprehension
of railroad owned vessels driving may
not be exaggerated but certain that the evil which ony
anticipated there already exists the coastw trade
well lakes and The committee thinks and
opportune to broaden the amendment"
To render this provision still effective the added
another provision thereto comforting jurisdiction upon the
Commerce Commission determine questions of fact the
ship in steamship lines of railroads. and making the
mission in such final
1t intmaed that provision will very much revised by
the Senate Committee Interoceanic Canals
them In the first place many members of the bitterly
opposed having such legislation included in the bill admin
sraon of the of the canal declare that proper
subject to be taken up in that connection
Others oppose it the ground that it is unfair prevent rail
roads from owning stock steamship companies where be
shown that such ownership restraint of trade Some believe
that the functions of the will
made too broad they extended thus the affairs of the
Canal Zone The matter will receive thorough airing the Senate
and sharp fight will be made before will be agreed There
Republicans stated who do agree with the
Of President Taft of 1910 in which he said
Il suggest as wise amendment to the interstate law