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Show FREIGHT' IS CUM 8! WWOMSTHMOS Engineer Wallace Explains What Isthmus Needs to Beat the Big Rail Lines. NEW YORK. Fob. 10. John F. Wallace, former chief cngiiitfor of tho Isthmian Canal commission, made tho following- statement lo-dny lo-dny concerning Ills testimony before the Senate Sen-ate Committee, on Interoccanlo Cannls tho curly part of this week: "In my examination of matters connected with the Panama railroad and steamship line on "Wednesday, some of the press rcpons were at considerable varlunco with regard to wnat 1 actually wild. "I mado the statement lhat prior to leaving tho Isthmus In June last, the through rates from Xew York to San l-Ynnclseo by way of the Panama route weie about 30 per cent lesa than tho throuRh trantconllnt-ntHl ralus by rail from Now York to Sun I'raji Cisco. The pruts had these llcures reversed. Kate by "Way of Suez." "I also made the statement that that part of the through rate from New York lo Snu Francisco Fran-cisco by way of the Isthmua, which was credited cred-ited to the Panama railroad line for the transit of goods between Colon and Panama, was abdut 2 per ton, and that as the rate through the Suez canal wax 51.70 per ton on tho gross tonnage, the probable Hut rate which will bo charged ns toll would probably approximate f'l per ton. which wns the Hat rate which I recommended should be charged on all goods, rvgardlcss of classification, to bo handled by the rullroad between Colon and Panama. , How It Affects Roads. "The significance of this statement lies In the fact lhat n lint charge of J2 per ton on all freight without regard to classification would give commerce tho name advantage, ns far as freight rato Is concerned, ns It would receive by the construction of the canal, unless that into wero mnde lower tlinn the rate at present charged for the transit of freight through tho Suez canal, nnd that this would not make any disturbance In the through trnnscontlnental rales which now exist by rail between Now York and San Frnnclxco; tho essenco of this statement being that ihe through transcontinental transconti-nental lines could have no motive In vigorously vigorous-ly delaying the construction of the Punair.a canal. as tho rates by rail between Nw York ami San Francisco for freight shipped by tho Isthmian route, compnrcd to the through transcontlnenll rales by mil between New York nnd San Francisco, would not be materially ma-terially disturbed. Public Misinformed. "This Is a subject on which tho public lias not beM Informed nnd on which thero has i boon no public knowledge, ns tho existing rale I of ihe Panama route was practically concealed I from tho public through tho fact lhat tho pro- .portion of the through nite credited to tho . Panama railroad for transit of goods between Colon and Panama has never been made public. "The point I desire to make clear In this entire en-tire matter Is that the Hat $2 rale across tho Isthmus could bo Immediately put Into effect by the United States Government and would anticipate, as far aa rates arc concerned, the ultimate bcnollt duo to the construction of the canal. Modem Equipment Needed. "All thnt Is necessary to do In order to enable ena-ble the Panama railroad to handle freight ncros-s the Isthmus by this route, which la equivalent to ( cents per ton por mllo and Is porfcjtly nmplo for the ocrvlco rendered, would bo tho equipment of the Panama railroad rail-road with modern engines and enrs, proper trackage, wharves, docks and warehouses, which cun le furnished for less than p.OOO.OOO nn expenditure which will have to bo made, In any case, In order to properly provldo transportation trans-portation facilities for tho trntllc which now exists and for that going out for tho construe-Hon construe-Hon of tho ccnnl." |