New-York tribune., 1901-12-20
FOR NICARAGUA CANAL.
THE HOUSE SHOWS ITS DETERMINATION
TO EXPEDITE LEGISLATION.
MD urpp7-e1,s R11I, MADE THE SPECIAL
ORDER OF BUSINESS WHEN CON
GREss REAsSEMBLEs.
Inv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE1


TB7 TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.I
/ WASHINGTON Dec 19.-Tn its closing session To-
dav the House displayed resolute determina-
ton to expedite canal legislation with all posi-
bic speed Even so powerful member as MI
Cannon of Illinois chairman Of the great Ap-
! rronriati tions Committee. could not stem the Tue
that has set in so strongly toward early ana
definite action. Opportunity to test Ihe stiehe - =
/ of the canal question at this time was ailoiue
! by the motion of Mr. Hepburn OF iowa "
Ike his bill the special order OF business oi'
January :! the day after Congress reasseihoies'
and hold its place until disposed OF, giving way
| only to revenue and appropriation oiiiS'
! Hepburn had scarcely requested unanimous CON
! cant n +ake the bill up on the date named be-
fire Mr. Cannon was on his feet with questions
! as to whether the measure could not wait on the
action of the State Department in closing nego-
tiations with Nicaragua and Costa hica ior 'ie
| necessary right of way Mr. cannon a'sueu
with his usual vgor that this WOULD he 'ne wiser
course hut when he recognized the patent fact
that the House in no humor 10 tIhie Win
technicalities he changed his attitude into one
If assent to Mr. Hepburn's request. 1t is ex-
plained by friends of Mr.. Cannon that MS con-
duct to-day does not indicate hostility to the
canal enterprise nor even doubt of the superior
advantages of the Nicaragua over all other sug-
gested routes
PROVISIONS OF THE HEPBURN BILL
Mr. Hepburn's bill is for the construction OF
q canal along the we'll defined Nicaragua route
and carries an appropriation of Slo""'""'' 10
he available as soon as the law is passed. II
also nroyides for a total appropriation of SlSo,-
600 900 TO cover the cost of the canal. Mr. Hep
burn took sharp issue with Mr. Cannons sus-
geston that the negotiations now IN progress
with Nicaragua and Costa Rica would he en-
barrassed should legislation by Congress pre-
cede the requirement of the right or way
through these two countries. He asserted that
instead Of retardng or in any way embarrassing
the negotiations the legislation he proposed
would hasten the consummaton of the neces-
sary diplomatic work.
Mr.. Underwood. a Democrat of Alabama, fol-
rowing Mr.. Richardson. the Democratic leader,
who spoke enthusiastically for the Hepburn
bill, declared that the canal question had been
so long and so thoroughly discussed that 1t was
now scarcely necessary for Congress to consider
it longer in detail What the American people
irrespective of political affiliations, demanded.
Mr.. Underwood said, that the canal be
built now that Great Britain had yielded her
contention the old Clayton -Bulwer Treaty.
In spite of the explanation OF the position he
took to-day given by his friends. some OF the
supporters of the Hepburn bill fear that Mr..
cannon is preparing 10 OppOSe tildt iHSaoUAcs
Mr.. Cannon has never been avowedly favorable
to the canal project. and his place as chairman
of the Appropriations Committee. to say moth
ing CT the influence he wieds in the House by
virtue OF his long experience. could be used TO
obstruct early action Whether or not he viii
use IL remains be But II is pointed
out that the issue he attempted to raise over
the diplomatic negotiations seems to indicate
intention on his part not to give the canal
project his active support at this session
In support OF this view OF his attitude atten-
ton is called 10 the fact that Secretary Hay has
already negotiated protocols with Nicaragua
and Costa Rica for securing the right OF way,
and he has also informed Senator Morgan that
he believed legislation in advance OF the con-
summation OF these negotiations would promote
rather than retard the work he has in hand with
the two Central American countries. It is re-
tirely ignorant of these facts when he raised
objections in the House to-day to Mr.. Hepburn's
request.
OPPOSITION TO CANAL PROJECT
1t is generally believed that if Mr. Cannon
does not openly oppose the bill when it is taken
up in January 1t can be put through within a
week without material modification. At the
same time. it is recognized as a possibility that
the powerful influences alleged to be opposed TO
the canal would be able to delay action indefr
initely If, indeed they could not defeat the
measure outright. II they should make a united
fight. What these influences II is difficult
at this juncture TO say. There is widespread
popular impression, of course. that the trans
continental railroads are hostile to canal iegis-
latton, but it is interesting II not significant TO
note that there is evidence in Washington at
this time Of purpose on the part of the rail-
road interests TO attempt to defeat the project
In the House There is. however, ground for
the suspicion that in the Senate the situation
is somewhat different, and this too despite the
fact that the new Hay-PaCncefote treaty was
ratlhed by such A large majority. 4 number OF
senator's who voted for ratification now
talking as II they favored the Panama rather
than the Nicaragua route. regardless Of the re-
port of the Walker Commission Whether or
not this is idle talk cannot be stated although
the fact that this talk comes from Senators who
voted willingly for the treaty this week Is re-
garded with no inconsiderable apprehension Nv
the advocates of the canal enterprise