File No. 819.77/140.

The American Minister to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]

Panaman President is about to submit to Assembly a bill to authorize Executive to determine number of miles of railway to be constructed in the Republic, their location and order of construction; consulting commission of engineers appointed by Executive and contracting for necessary loan guaranteed by requisite revenues. After contracting loan Executive may award contract for work under conditions and specifications determined by it either through public bidding or directly to some responsible person or corporation.

This bill cancels Panama-David railway project reported in my number 291.

As this bill merely confers authority upon Executive in general terms, does Department desire me to request postponement of its submission to the Assembly?

Dodge.