The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-02
THE CANAL BILL DEBATE
Arguments For and Against the Pro
posed Isthmian Waterw Y.
The Measure Taken Up for Consider
alton by the House in Committee
of the whoIe-Mr. Hepburn Opens
the Discussion - MIR. ShaclSieford
Speaks in Favor of Fortifcations.

Speaks in Favor of Fortifications
The House in Committee of the Whole
devoted yesterday to the discussion OF
House bill 25SS. ITO provide for the con
struction of a canal connecting the waters
of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts" The
consideration of the bill was begun at l2:1;
O'Clock. At $50 the House took a recess
till and remained in session until 10:30
The bill will be taken up today directly
after the morning business.
The House, before going into Committee
of the Whole for the consideration of the
bill, INDUCED in a brief discussion over
the division of time between the friends
and opponents of the measure The con-
dltions were somewhat complicated bT the
fact that Representative Shackleford OF
Missouri, who made the minority report,
and who would naturally control the time
for the minority, favored immediate con-
struction of the canal, just as do the ma
jority, but differed from the majority only
as TO the phraseology of the bill
Messrs. Cannon of Illinois and Fletcher
of Minnesota, who oppose the passage of
position of the time allotted the minority,
but the Speaker ruled that under the cir
cumstanees it would be subject TO the
control of the Chair.
Mr.. Hepburp's Position.
The proposition which Mr.. Hepburn ad-
vanced was that the time should be divided
between those making the majority and
minority reports. Mr.. Cannon maintained
that time should be allowed to those who
are opposed to canal legislation in any
form at this session. Mr. Shackleford said
he believed that no member could be
found who opposed trans-oceanic canal.
Before this question was determined, Mr..
Hepburn obtained unanimous consent that
from s tc 10:30 D. m. should be given TO
debate on the bill. 1t was finally agreed
that the Chairman of the Committee CT the
Whole should determine the questions OF
time as they should arise. The House
then went into Committee of the Whole
with Mr.. Cooper OF Wisconsin in the chair,
and the Clerk reported the bill
Ar, Hepburn then sent TO the Clerks
desk committee amendment changing
the phrases defend a canal to protect a
canal" and such fertilization for defence
as will be required" to "such provisions
for defence as may be necessary"
Mr.. Hepburn then addressed the House
He said that the subject of a canal con-
meeting the waters of the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans is one that for more than
half century has engaged the attention
of the American people. Yet there was
always some person or some party who
would oppose and sidetrack The PROPOSE
tion.
1t was now one-haif a century since the
project of an interoceanic canal was first
broached. Since then volumes had been
written and thousands Of speeches had
been made. but this was the first day bill
to carry such project into effect had re-
ceived the attention of the House of Rep
resentatiyes. There had always been some
way to defeat action. always some party
in interest that did not want the particular
project proposed or at that particular time
He recalled how. five years ago, petition,
signed by 307 members for the consdera-
tion of a canal bill had been sidetracked,
and how twice since then the Appropria-
tions Committee had shunted off the main
proposition with appropriations for investi-
cations
And now again today he said. I'VE
see some of these gentlemen. notably the
gentleman who has twice before defeated
action, standing here protesting that this
is not the auspicious moment"
Mr. Hepburn, in reviewing the history
of the canal movement told of the various
routes located by engineers. He referred
to surveys made by Col. o. W. Childs in
1850; by A. C. Menocal under the direc-
tion of the Maritime Canal Company: by
Lieutenant Colonel (now Brigadier GeneraD
Ludlow and a commission in 1895. and the
one undertaken BY Admiral Walker Colonel
Hams, and Prof Haupt two years ago.
Speaking of the report of the Walker com
mission. Mr.. Hepburn said:
Their report in all of its ample details
has just been laid before us, together with
the reports Of large number of scientists
and skilled engineers called to their I'D
All agree that the canal can be construct
ed with all of its appurtenances within
reasonable limits of cost. These reports
above referred to, the opinions of the en-
gineers and scientists believed to be en-
tirely competent for their work Justify
your committee in recommending the un-
dertaking of the enterprise as one that is
entirely practicable, and that can be com
pleted for sum of money the eXpendi-
ture Of " hich will be wise"
Mr.. Hepburn attacked the operative
force of the Clayton Burwer Treaty. No
effort had been made by either of the con-
tracing partie3 to carry out its provis-
ions. He quoted Secretary Marcy Presi-
dent Pierce, Secretary Frelinghuyssn. Sec
retary Blaine. and others to sustain This
position.
GUS concessions to the old Atlas Company.
the Maritime Canal Company, and others
He assailed the feasibility of the Panama
Canal He said that this route presented
engineering problems that had not been
solved. Besides there was no assurance
that the United States could control the ca
nal There were s256. 600 000 of stock in the
canal scattered all over France 1t had been
favored investment with the people of
France.
1t represented the savings of the poor
and their only hope of future compe-
teney, and they would not let it GO The
United States, he said, were now entering
on the most intense struggle the nations
of the world had ever seen for the COM
merce OF the world. and he thought the
construction Of tie canal would be the
greatest sep America could take toward
the control OF the trade of the world.
especially If the American ship merchant
could pass his ships through the canal
free. The Liverpool merchant sending a
six thousand ton ship through the Suez
Canal paid $1,000 tolls. and if merchant
did not pay any toll through the Nieara-
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