The evening times., 1900-05-11
ADMIRAL WALKER HEARD
he appears Before the Committee
on Inter-0eeanic Canals.
Emphatic in Fa~orine the Nicara<
Sua ROUte-BeIIeves the Isthmian
Commission VIII Not Report Be-
fore idSummer-PIans OF The OPP
PORents of the American waterway

The Senate Committee on Inter-OeeauIs
Canals having under consideration the
House bill to provide for the eonstruc-
tion Of canal connecting the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans" met behind closed doors
this morning. Rear Admiral Walker sp-
peared before the Committee and gave it
as his opinion that the Isthmian Canal
Commission could not present its repors
before midsummer. and that probably IL
would not be ready for presentation be-
fore autumn.
Admiral Walker said he believed that
this report would show little that was not
already known he considered that thero
we're but TWO practicable canal EOEtes
across the Isthmus, one the Nicaragua and
the other the Panama. He had no hesi-
fancy in declaring in favor OF the former
route. But each had been subjected 10 the
most thorough survey IN the matter Of
the more northerly route there had been
The very elaborate survey BY the Maritime
Canal Company and by the Nicaragua Ca
nal Commission In the matter Of The
more sOutherly route there had been the
elaborate surveys by the old French Com
Pany and the new Panama Canal Company
Amiral Walker reviewed the work that
has actually been done On both routes IN
this. the advantage. be Esid. vas With the
Panama Company The existence Of a Iail-
road slong the line OF the Panama Canal
vas also an advantage. It's great Il al
rar=SsESs were the feeds OF the Chagres
River ana the excavation Of Culebrl Cut
There we're no such engineering difficulties
10 be overcome along the NicaragUa route
The admiral said that il was his oDiuiou
that though the Panama Canal was furthzr
advanced than TIE Nica- aqua waterEayyec
because of The san Juan River and Lake
Nicaragua, less cutting would have 70 be
done in Nicaragua than remains 10 Be done
al Panama
The committee remained in session until
o'clock
Secrecy in the Committee.
There is 4 general complaint al the Cap
itol among those WHO are interested in
the construction Of an inter-oeeanie canal
against the secrecy observed By the com
mittee. No member OF that committee
VIII talk upon the subject Of q canal with
a newspaper man. nor indicate what IS
doing or may be done. The seal Of secrecy
IS placed upon the clerk of the committee.
There Is no other committee Of Congress
which transacts its business and holds It's
sessions so darkly under cover as the Sen
ate Committee on Inter-Oceanic Canals
Even the Committee OF Foreign Relations
and that on Foreign Affairs give publicity
10 routine committee matters In the mat
Ter OF pending treaties nothing viii be
said. but any member OF the Committee oa
Foreign Relations VIII set forth why tzis
Is But there IS a mystery around the
Committee on InteT-OoeaRic Canals which
Is difficult to understand in view Of the
fact that that COMMITTEES can have nothing
before il but bill every provision OF
which Is ErsrTs-rr Ia e-er- nau-eran1- -1..aa.-
and which was debated in the House for
TWO days
The unusual secrecy maintained BY the
Canal Committee has set old-Jimers a. the
Capitol 70 discussing the bill which Was in
troduced in the House several years ago
by Representative J. A D. Richards Of
Ohio which provided that all committee
meetings for the consideration Of bills and
all hearings should be held in public This
bill attracted considerable notice at the
time. being. il is said. generally commend
ed in the press. but il never came back 20
the House from the committee 70 which it
was referred.
Playing fOr Delay
Another move in the game Of delay which
the Administration men in me SeraJe are
playing IS a proposition to call before the
Committee on Inter-Oceanic Canals sever
al OF the executive officers and directors OF
ths new Panama Canal Company as Well
rs members Of the International Technical
Commission. II is desired 10 enquire as
20 The progress Of the work and 10 ask II
the rev Panama Company is prepared 10
offer other terms than proposed by Direc-
sor General Hutin and General Counsel
Sullivan and Cromwell in their communi-
cation 10 President Mckinley. under Hate
Of New York. February ., 1888 II that
Communication the Representatives OF the
aew company said, in part:
The new Panama Canal Company has
never proposed and does not seek any ap-
propTiation or financial aid frou the Gov
ernment OF the United States IN the CON-
pletion OF its canal While il does rot seek
aid. IL recognizes the national ssutinne-t in
favor OF acquiring some pecuniary interest
in any canal connecting the Atlantic ard
Pacific oceans. Therefore the new Pa ara
CaraI Company declares that IT, as the re-
suit OF ar investigation the Government OF
the United States adopts the Panama route
the company, II the Government dc ir.s.
VIII -eincOrporate under the laws OF The
State OF New York. or OF scma other STATE
cf the Union. subject 10 the provisions Of
property in such corporation Il VIII also
accord 70 the United states representation
in its board OF directors. and such cppOrtI-
nifty 70 acquire an interest in its seCUr,ti )
as may be permitted by its concessions.
which CT course. must be scIupulOusly cb-
served"
BODY FOUND IN THE WOODS.