The Washington times., 1901-11-15
TO PRESS LEGISLATION.
Nicaragua Canal Affairs to Be Ur-
gently Presented to Congress.
Representative Hepburn to OGer
Bill for Enactment Soon After
House Assemblies Government
Ownership of Gable to philippines.

Ownership of Cable to Philippines.
Nicaragua Canal affairs viii probably
be presented to the consideration of the
legislators of the lower house soon after
the Speakers gavel falls on the opening
day. Representative Hepburn Chairman
of the Committee on Interstate and For
eiGn Commerce. states that he will intro
duce a Nicaragua Canal bill similar to
the one which passed the House at the
last session soon after the opening of the
Fifty-seventh Congress. Furthermore. he
says that he expects the bill to pass both
branches of the National Legislature.
Colonel Hepburn called at the White
House yesterday in company with Rep
resentative Sherman, his colleague on the
Interstate and Foreign Commerce Com
mittee. The President talked over with
these visitors the matter of canal legis-
lation, and also legislation touching upon
the subject of a Pacific cable.
Although Colonel Hepburn did not say
much in regard to the Presidents views
on his bill, it is known that Mr.. Roosevelt
favors prompt canal legislation. Colonel
Hepburn says the bill will differ from
the one carried last year only in phrase
ology and would be essentially the same
in purport
a hot fight promi IS to be precipitated
when Representative Sherman introduces
n bin providing that the Postmaster Gen
eral snail draw contract with company
fer the laying of a cable between this
country and the Philippines, touching at
Hawaii and Guam, and providing for its
use at reasonable toll rates by the Gov
ernment This is practically the same
measure which failed passage at the last
nj 1f.ttf frr,-
liss led, at that time, and will lead again
determined minority which favors Gov
ernment ownership of a cable. The bill
which Representative Sherman will intro
duce is expected to contain a second pro-
vision to the effect that should the Post
master General fail to secure satisfac-
tory contract the Government should pro-
ceed with the construction of canal upon
it's own responsibility.
Mr.. Sherman thinks that there is press
ing necessity for more direct communica-
ton with the Philippines. Both he and
MIR. Hepburn agree that the act of 1866
gave sufficient authority for the President
to grant landing rights without legislation
on the part Of Congress.
In the meantime. the Pacific Commercial
Gable Company. of ghich John ".
Mackay is the head evidences an inten-
Itself. This is regarded as merely a move
TO urge the Administration to earlier ac-
ton.
Several sugar raisers of Hawaii, includ-
ing W. o. Smith, /. b. Atherton, +. NJ
Swanzy and r. p. Rithet called on the
President yesterday to protest against any
reciprocity relations being established
with Cuba which would admit sugar from
that island to the United States at 4
lower rate of duty than now exists.
Senators Lodge and Spooner and ex-
Senator Don Cameron OF Pennsylvania, |
MIR. Root, Secretary of War, and Attor-
ney General Knox lunched with the Pres
ident yesterday. Senators Lodge and |
Spooner returned 70 dinner. and remained |
in consultation with the President until /
a late hour. 1t is thought that the Phil !
ippinos question was the principal one |
under discussion.
Senator Lodge is Chairman Of the Com
mittee on the Philippines and Senator !
Spooner is the author of the law giving |
the President full powe- in the island un-
iii permanent form OF Government shall
he established. Both tlese Senators have
been in frequent consultation with the
President since he began the preparation
Of his message
The object of Mr. Cameron's visit to
Washington and his repeated calls at the
White House are unknown. Since he re-
''.ad from the Senate. TO be succeeded [
.. ~-s colleague, Mir. Quay, who
me political power OF the
4 Pennsylvania, he has lived
ae time abroad. He registered
atel as =. ID. Cameron. New
sst lie is largely interested in Penn
.a..- corporations. however, and il IS
..r. - kelly the-PrcsiGent desired To con-
ss.r ON the general question OF com
n.,-- interests and trade combinations
winch 1t is known viii form an important
feature OF the Bresldents message
Air. Cameron WAS a powerful factor in
he polite q world for many years, having
been Scorer Ty OF Var in Grant 5 Cabi-
net before succeedint; his father, Senator
in the Senate. lie is a friend
Of Attorney General Knox.
President Roosevelt viii witness the an
npal football game between Annapolis
scmber 80. The President expects To have
his message practically completed at that
time and will, in response To an invita-
ton, attend this classic Bridiron event !
Mrs. Roosevelt and Miss Roosevelt Will
probably accompany the President who |
viii occupy "A box set aside for MIN on |
Franklin Field. The President is fond of
football he is of all athletic sports.
lie viii travel to the Quaker CITY in d
private ear. The car will be attached to
a special train carrying large number
Of army and navy people. who are never
absent when the soldiers and sailors
clash on Franklin Field in the greatest
Clinton Rogers Woodruff, OF Phiiadel-
1hia, Chairman Of the Committee on De-
tendencies of the civil Service Reform (
League, received assurance from the !
President yesterday that FcGcraI appoint
ug nts in the insular pcss, ssioHs would
lot be controlled or dictated by any pOliL-
cal influence. This is taken To mean that
he President will favor the extension
IF the principles Of civil service as far as
possible in the Government Of the new
possessions.
kentdcky callers at the White House
lu-ing the past week hsvc outnumbcred
hose from any other State, except Nir-
slnla, fully two to one. Representative
Soreing Of Kentucky called yestt rday
n company with II. J. Hampton, who
wants an army appointment. The Pres
dent listened to his visitors for a mo-
ncnt, when. turning to Senator Mason,
3 hO WAS in the room, the President re-
marked, with Il comic expression of dis
r.sS that he was going to divide the af-
airs Of this Admins. .>Ition into two
ma those which don't. he laugh was on
he kenJuckians. who, however, apprCCiat-
ii 4 fuiiy as much as anyone else with
n hearing distance.
The President has decided that H. F. 1
'heatham is such a good Recorder OF
Deeds for the District of Columbi9 that
ie will be retained in that position. There
iave been "A number of letters obJoctirg
o Cheatham received at the White
lOuse, but investigation has revealed
he fact that they originated with negro
politicians who desired to get Cheath4m 5
'lace themselves The President has paid
10 attention to the letters.
DEToNATED BY GASES.
Peculiar Cause of Premature ExpIo-
sion of shells.