The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-13
Proposed Legislation for Isthmian
Canal Would Not Have Embar-
raised Construction.
PRESIDENT HAD AUTHORITY
But WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FORCED
TO MAKE AN UNWISE DEAL.
walker Commission Will Probably
Proceed to Panama to inspect
Canal and Report.

members of the Senate now in the city take
exception to the statement of Representa-
tive Cannon published Saturday concerning
the defeat Of the recommendation OF the
President in regard TO the Nicaragua canal.
The statement to which the senators take
particular objection is the following: IL
the Senate bill or any measure proposed hao
been enacted the United States would nave
paid $5,O0O,0 900 for worthless concession.
and would have been committed by law 10
the construction Of a canal along the Mica
ragua route, and under such conditions II
would have been compelled, before we threw
a spadeful Of earth, or in any way began
actual construction, to have acquired by
treaty of Nicaragua and Costa Rica the ter
ritory whereon to construct canal and the
right to construct 1t. Such legislation would
have delayed and embarrassed construction
Of an isthmian canal"
Referring to this statement tonight, Sen
ator Frye, chairman of the committee in the
Senate which inserted the Nicaragua canal
amendment In the river and harbor bill,
said: THE statement of Mr.. Cannon TO the
effect that the United States would have
paid $5.0o0.0o0 for a worthless concession, il
either the Senate canal bill or any measure
proposed had been enacted, is incorrect.
The Senate canal bill provided for the APP
pointment by the President of appraisers to
value any property purchased and the
amount to be paid for any such property
was limited to s., 600 900. If it were assumed
that the appraisers would pay $5,ooO,OOO for
some worthless thing, and the President
would have approved such action, then Mr..
Cannons statement might be correct But
Mr.. Cannon nor any one else assumes that
oh hau hoe,
Now, as to the canal amendment inserted
in the river and harbor bill, not a word was
said about the payment of s5.0o0.ooo for any
purpose. That amendment authorized the
President, for and in behalf of the United
States. to acquire such portion of territory
now belonging to Costa Rica and Nicaragua,
or such rights easements or privileges
therein or connected Herewith, as may be
necessary to excavate, construct, control
and defend a canal, and so There is
nothing in that provision requiring the pay
ment of 5000 900 or cents. Nor is there
anything in that provision requiring any
treaty to be negotiated with Nicaragua and
Costa Riea to secure territory. The Presi-
dent was authorized to acquire ii, If he
could and the money was appropriated to
pay for it. / do not and did not interpret
that amendment as authorizing the Presi-
dent to acquire the concession or property
of any corporation, as do not believe such
concessions are worth anything: but If il did
authorize him to do so, il is not true that
the United States would have paid s5,000000
for worthless concession unless we are TO
assume that the President of the United
States would be a party to it. 1 do not
think anybody will assume that.
Now, the only other proposed measure
was the House bill, or the one reported to
the House by Mr.. Hepburn. That bill did
not authorize the payment of a cent for any
concession held by any corporation. Hence
L do not see what could have rnisled Mr.
Cannon into making such a statement un-
less 1t was the fact that not being a men,
Der Of any Of the committees having this
matter in charge he was misled.
II see that in another part of his state
ment he says that the United States can
not afford to enter on this great work until
it has acquired by treaty zone of terri
tory whereon to construct the canal Hold
ing that view do not see how he could OBJ
ject he does in another part of his
statement. to measures which he says would
have compelled the United States. before
any work could be done the canal, to
have acquired by treaty from Nicaragua
and Costa Rica the territory whereon to
construct a canal and the right to construct
it The fact is that a good deal was left
in the Senate bill and in the Senate amend
ments to the river and harbor bills, as far
as this subject is concerned. to the discre-
ton of the President. Nothing could be
done excepting with his approval and he
was not required 10 pay out anything, but
was merely authorized to do il. Neither
did the Senate amendment to the river and
harbor bill commit the President TO the
which was adopted, especially provides if
the President were unable to make salts
factory arrangements over the Nicaragua
route. he could negotiate for control of or
right to construct some other canal con-
Meeting the Atlantic and Pacific ocean, p"
Asked what action he thought the Presi-
dent would take under the provision finally
adopted by Congress Senator Frye replied
II think that he will add two members 10
the Walker commission, and that he will
direct them 10 proceed at once to Panama
and inspect the canal there and report on
that route. BY the time that Is done the
Walker commission will have been able to
qua route. In my opinion that report will
give everything needed in way of informa-
ton as to the Nicaragua route and there
will be no necessity for acquiring any more
information concerning that route"
"True MOrmons" Against Roberts.