The times., 1899-02-10
CHAIRMAN CANNON
AGAINST THE CANAL
Not the Time to Spend So
Much Money.
lie Believes Action Should Be De-
ierred Until Next Session.
Representative Fear the Senate
Committees Action viii Defeat
tbc River and Harbor Bill.

The proposition 10 adopt the Hepburn
Nicara guam Canal bill as an amendment to
the river and harbor bill has smoked the
opponents OF that measure out of their
holes. Speaker Reed has had no oppor-
tunity 10 express his views on the subject
any more clearly than he has already
done, but Representative Cannon, Chair
man of the Appropriations Committee
yesterday came cut on the floor of the
House in bold opposition 20 the canal. He
tried TO smooth down his opposition by
declaring that he only wanted time in
which 10 fully consider the bill. and this,
he thought could not be had at the present
session. He also argued tnat the Govern
ment. on account CT its heavy expendi-
lures for the colonies was not financially
able 10 construct the canal at present.
Speaking outside of the House, Mr..
Cannon declared that he should oppose the
proposed amendment 10 the river and har-
Dor bin would fight it by every parlia-
mentary method known, and would, if pos
sible. defeat the bill altogether rather
than permit il TO go through.
This created a sensation both outside the
HoUse and later, when Mr.. Cannon made
his speech on the floor.
Chairman Burton. Of the Rivers and
Harbors Committee, became convinced that
the addition OF the amendment would kill
his bill and infected the members of his
committee with his fears. Consequently
yesterday witnessed 4 stream of members
OF the House, including nearly all who had
projects for their districts in the bill,
going to the Senate, and endeayoring 10
persuade the Commerce Committee of that
body not to eudanger their portion Of
pork by adding the Nicaragua Canal to the
bill
The situation is somewhat curious. As
lcng as the Senate has not inserted the
item in the bill, every friend of river
and barber measure will henceforth be OPP
posed to it. Once the Senate has inserted
it and has adopted the bill. every river
and haIbor man will be in favor of it for
fear that if the House should refuse to
agree, a deadlock might exist, and the bill
might fail altogether by the adjournment
of Congress.
Hence the whole question resolves itself
into the influence the House may be able
10 bring 10 bear upon the Senate Commerce
Committee. They may compel 1t to recon-
slider its agreed upon action to insert the
amendment II they fail to do this, the
House will pass the bill. In other words
there is excellent reason to believe the
whole movement against the canal is
merely bluff, that will amount to moth
ing on the showdown.
II the Commerce Committee should
effort Will be made to insert it in the sun
dry civil bill, which must go to the Ap-
preparations Committee in the Senate.
This is regarded as too important a bill
10 be allowed to fail of passage. II it
should do So il seems certain that an extra
session would be called TO pass it. while it
is probable that the President would rath-
er welcome the failure OF the river and
barber bill and the consequent saving of
ba
Knowing this, the House members gen.
orally would not strive for selfish reasons
to keep the amendment out of the sundry
civil bill. as they would out of the river
and harbor bill. The only opposition
would be from those who object TO in
CURING the risk CT an extra session.
Mr. Cannon, in speaking on the sundry
civil bill in the House yesterday. took oc-
- casicn to refer to the finances of the
country. He said that at the proper time
ne would favor both the ship subsidy bin
and the Nicaragua Canal bill, but that
there was no time left now Both projects
ought TO be carefully considered by the
House and some reliable estimate of the
cost ought to be obtained, and when the
TWO projects were finally authorized. some
revenue measure ought to be adopted at
the same time TO cover their cost.
MI Grosvenor asked whether Mr. Can
ron meant By his remarks q rehsctlon on
Inc House Commerce Committee which
mad very carefully considered the subject
or on the Senate, which had also consid-
cred il in great detail.
MI cannon replied that his words cnuId
not be distorted into such suggestion.
lie had no doubt that the committee had
examined the project fully but he was
sure that the House not the committee
had no time TO consider that great work.
Mr. Hepburn asked whether 5Ir Cannon
meant that no opportunity would be offered
for consideration
Mr- Cannon replied that he spoke only
for himself, but he submitted to The House
that il was impossible in the three weeks
That remained TO the session TO intelligent
~ consider either the Nicaragua Canal Or
the ship subsidy bills The sundrv civil.
general deficiency. naval, army. and forti-
hcation appropriation bills were yet TO b.
considered.
Mr. William Alden Smith Of Michigan
asked whether Mr.. Cannon would oppose
the Nicaragua Canal until the revenues OF
the country We're sufficient 10 pay the
cost.
Mr.. Cannon replied that he favored the
construction Of the canal by the United
States, but he wanted the bill for il con-
sidered at some period when there was suf-
hcient time to allow a full canvas4ng OF
the entire situation.
Mr. Smith aske whether he now con-
sidered it unwise for the Government 10
obligate itself for the cost of so great an
improvement, and one demanded by both
political parties.
Mr.. Cannon said that If the bill came I'D
at this session he would oppose H. not be-
cause he was an enemy to the canal. but
because he was a friend to the Govern
ment- As friend to the project, he did
Tot believe it within the bounds of human
probability that the House could in the
lime ii could allow in such d rush OF bust
ness pass on the project intelligently
When you or anyone else" he continued.
can tell me what the project will cost.
can acquire the zone needed for its con-
struction, and can provide the money for
building il, ! will join hands with you
Ar Lewis Of Washington asked whether
Mr. Cannon did rot think an early issue
OF bonds would be necessary in view OF the
desiItuiion in which the Government now
found itself
Ar. Cannon replied that he thought that
no increased taxation would be necessary
II no unusual appropriations took great
sums additional. Il would be several years.
he said. before taxation could be reduced.
Mr. Dockery wanted to know whether
any revenues. would come in from the ou:-
lying territories. and Mr.. Cannon replied
that no revenues would come in for d long
time. il ever.
Al this point the discussion was dropped.
PASSAGE OF THE BLAIR BILL.