The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-02
A division Of customs

and revenues was established, to CO.
operate with the customs service Of
the Republic OF Panama. The mer-
chants OF Colon and Panama pro
tested vehcmently." and the Govern
ment Of the republic took the matter
up with the authorities at Washing
ton. After diplomatic discussion Of
the nature and extent Of the opposing
claims to sovereignty President Taft
disclaimed for the United States de-
sire to exercise any powers beyond
those implied in the terms OF the grant
by treaty. for "the construction, main
tenance, operation, sanitation and pro-
lection of said canal" the Executive
order was revoked and 1t was agreed
that importations at the terminals
should be restricted to articles needed
for that work. supplies for the officers,
employees and their families. Panama
agreed To reduce its import taxes and
consular fees and to sell the Canal
Zone postal service stamps Of the Re-
public Of Panama. to be crossed
Canal Zone" and to reduce the rates
of postage between the zone and the
States. Rules wre drawn up regu-
lating the passage of persons and the
transaction Of business across the
boundary lines between the zone and
tho Republic OF Panama. This modus
vivendi. the Taft agreement" depleted
the zone revenues by the full amount
of its customs receipts.
Under the rule OF the commission
the executive branch consisted Of the
Governor. Executive Secretary, Treas
urer and Auditor. and the depart
mental STATS OF Public Health. Rev
enues. Police. Prisons and Justice,
and a Bureau Of Education. The De-
partment OF Justice had n prosecut-
ing attorney ard three deputies. The
chief of police was marshal for the
Supreme Court and coroner for the
zone. There were three circuit court $
and five municipal courts. The SUI
prerlr Court consisted OF Chief
Justice and two Associate Justices.
Municipal government was adminis-
tered by mayor. a municipal coun-
! Gil OF five and municipal secretaries
and treasurers, all appointed by the
Governor subject to approval by the
commission. The commission had its
: own penal code, but the civil code and
D
mralty were those of the Republic OF
/ Panama.
! March 4. 1905. the Fffty-eighth
Congress terminated without conainu-
! ing the authority. then expiring,
/ conferred on the President by the
/ act of April 2s. 1904. and also without
! providing legislation for the govern
/ ment of the zone. The commiss on
! lot its legislative powers. The Pres
| ident continued to issue Executive or
! ders as necessity for legislation arose
while he was criticised for this pre-
! codure. there was no other course
open II the work was to he con-
tinued."
| For the frst year Of American control
the organization of the government Of the
\ Canal Zone presented nothing peculia,
3 other than that its Inhabitants lacked tn.
rich; OF franchise. 1t was seif-contained,
the Governor or Executive had certain
functions Independent OF the legislative
, branch. tho commission; and the nunici.
! psiitles had charge OF their own anair.
! subject 10 the approval OF the Governor
/ After various experimental changes
President Roosevelt convinced that oni,
| through one man control could the vorl
be handled satisfactorily. proposed to con,
centrate all the authority in the chairman
Of the commission, Tho end moi
only justified tn. means bu' could hav,
been accomplished In other way.
by the act effective August "a
1912. the Panama Canal act the Pros
idcnt was authorized to discontinu,
the commission whenever in his judg
mCnt the construction Of the cana
had advanced sufficiently TO make I'M
necessary a continuance Of the com
missions services. and thereafter II,
complete. govern and operate tn,
Panama Canal and govern the Cana
Zone. or cause them TO be completed
governed and operated through {
Governor OF the Panama Canal. ant
such other persons as he may deem
competent to discharge the various
duties connected with the completion
care. maintenance, sanitation. opera
ton, government and protection o
the canal and Canal Zone" Sine,
April /. 1914, tho government Of RI
zone has he~n founded on law Of IN
United States: previously. since Apr
!. 1905. II had been nothing moro moi
less than a government by ESecutiv
order
II is highly interesting phenom
enon Of politics that Gov. Goethal
describes, with two great and not dis
similar personalities constantly prcsen
in the background Of his reader
mind, those OF Mr.. Roosevelt an
Culebra.