Secretary Taft declares that the Southern Pacific Railway, through its ownership of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., is responsible for the congestion of freight on the Isthmus of Panama, and consequent hindrance of canal work. The steamship company refuses to move the freight on the Pacific side, hoping to keep the blockade on the Atlantic side so great that no Government boats can land there with more supplies. This will force shipment via the Southern Pacific to San Francisco, and from there to Panama via the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. The captain with the remaining members of his crew abandons the _Cherokee_. The rescue of passengers and crew was made by Captain Casto, of Atlantic City, N. J., with his crew in his schooner _Alberta_. The debate on the Philippine tariff bill is brought to a close in the House of Representatives. The President prepares a message to Congress, favoring a lock canal. The Canal Commission asks for $5,000,000 to continue the work during the balance of the present fiscal year. January 16.—Marshall Field, Chicago’s millionaire merchant, dies of pneumonia in New York City, at the age of 70. The Panama Canal Commission decides to build the Canal by contract. The President has approved the plan. Congressman Hermann, of Oregon, who is under indictment for participating in land frauds, takes the oath of office, and begins to draw his salary. January 16.—The House of Representatives passes the Philippine tariff bill. The bill admits goods the growth or product of the Philippines into the United States free of duty, except sugar, tobacco and rice, on which a tariff of 35 per cent of the Dingley rates is levied. Philippine goods coming to the United States are exempted from the export tax of the islands. The bill further provides that after April 11, 1909, there shall be absolute free trade each way between the United States and the Philippines. The vote on the Statehood bill is indefinitely postponed because Speaker Cannon fails to secure a sufficient number of pledges to make its passage certain. The annual meeting of the United Mine Workers of America is held at Indianapolis. The Senate debates the question whether Congress has the right to delegate to the courts its power to fix railroad rates. The resolution introduced in the New York State Senate, asking Senator Depew to resign, is lost by a vote of 34 to 1. The Democrats refused to vote on the resolution. January 17.—Senator Tillman, of South Carolina, bitterly attacks President Roosevelt on account of Mrs. Minor Morris’ treatment at the White House. Senator Hale, of Maine, alone makes a protest, and that on the ground of propriety. The House of Representatives passes 166 private pension bills.