The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-20
N~icaraguan Canal Bill to Be Taken Up
in the House on Jan. /. and
Discussed without Limit.
BILL FOR THE PHILIPPINES
MEASURE THAT PROVIDES FOR
PERMANENT CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
Pension of $4,000 Proposed for Mrs
Mckinley Decision That VIII
Cost Uncle Sam S2,1IS,S26.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Before the
House adjourned to-day over the holiday
recess a special order was made for con-
sideration of the N~icaraguan canal bill,
beginning on Tuesday, Jan. Z, and TO con-
tinue until the bill is disposed of. the order
not, however, to interfere with revenue or
appropriation bills. The session of the
House was brief. the major portion of the
time being occupied by Mr.. De Almond. Of
Missouri, in making a personal explana-
ton regarding reports circulated in his dis
trict concerning his course in the matter
OF the extension Of the rural free delivery.
Mr.. Hepburn, of Iowa, chairman of the
House committee on commerce, made the
report of the committee in favor of the
Nicaraguan canal bill. After stating the
terms of the bill the report says in part:
The purpose of this bill is to concentrate
authority and responsibility for the con-
struction of this great work in the hands
of the President. 1t has been believed that
this course would be a safer one to be pur-
sued in carrying out the purposes of the
Dill, involving the expenditure of so large
a sum of money. all the work and all the
expenditure to be made at a distance so
far from the capital, than any other method
that could be devised. We nave tried TO
concentrate authority and responsibility
rather than to dispense it among many
persons"
The report refers to the exhaustive re-
port made by the isthmian commission, of
which Admiral Walker is the head, in
Whlch every feature OF this enterprise is
fully and at length discussed" and adds:
y doubt is expressed by the commission
as to the p~racticability of the enterprises;
on the contrary, they join with a score of
predecessors in expressing their belief that
the work can be carried to a successful
termination within the limits of reason
able cost and reasonable time. All of the
great political parties are committed to the
policy of the construction of this canal"
The report then quotes the declarations
of the various party platforms and Presi-
dents Mckinley and Roosevelt favOring the
canal. In conclusion it says: "In view Of
the many thousands of pages written and
spoken in advocacy of the immediate un-
dertaking and completion of this work, i'm
view of the pledges made by the parties
that 1t should be undertaken and COM
pleted, in view Of the recommendations
made by the President of the United
States, and in view of the almost universal
demand Of the American people that Con-
gress should at once do something effective
in the Inauguration and speedy completion
or the isthmian canal, your committee
content themselves with this brief report,
embodying their earnest recommendation
that the bill pass
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, asked unanimous
consent for consideration OF a bill for a
deficiency appropriation Of $4,000 for fur
nishing transcripts of records in the Gen
eral Land Office. The employees who were
doing this work, Mr.. Cannon said, were
mostly women, and he appealed to the
House in the spirit of the yultide season to
pass the bill. There was no objection and
the bill was passed.
The message of the President relative to
the creation of an Appalachian forest re-
serve was laid before the House.
No action was taken on the De Almond
incident mentioned above. AT 1:45 p. m.
the House adjourned until Jan. 6, 1902.