The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-01-09
FOR The PANAMA ROUTE
President to Select the Panama Way
Favored by Nine Out of sixteen Speak,
crs Yesterday--A Final Vote Wtll
Probably be Taken To-day.

Probably be Taken To-day.
Washington, Jan. S.-The debate or
the Nicaragua canal bill in the house
to-day developed sentiment favoring
consideration of the recent offer of the
Panama company to sell its franchises
and property for $4,000 900 This senti-
ment took the form of advocating the
Morris amendment, which is to empoW-
er the president to select the latter
route if the canal commission, upon con-
sldering the company offer, recon-
mends it and the required concessions
can be obtained from Colombia. OF six
teen members who spoke day nine
favored the Morris amendment. 1t was
agreed that general debate shall close
tomorrow al o'clock, after which the
bill will be open to amendment under
the five minute rule The final vote
will probably be taken tomorrow.
! During the debate to-day Mr., Morris,
of Minnesota explained the purpose Of
his amendment, which, he said, was
not to impede tse construction of toe
canal, but to insure the selection of the
| best canal-the best as to location, cost
Of maintenance and cost of operation,
durability and freedom from danger
| from destruction Before the isthmian
commission made its report he did not
believe the Pan American route feas-
| ible. He thought it had been used
solely for the purpose of delay. But
since reading the report he was unable
| to reach a conclusion as to which was
| the better route. Moreover he did not
| believe that any gentleman could read
the report and tell which route the
commission would have selected had the
cost and conditions been equal. In en-
barking upon an enterprise that was to
cost 5000 900, 900, perhaps more, he con-
sidered it wise that the experts should
have an opportunity to consider the
new offer of the Pan American com
pany
If the bill was passed in the form in
which it was reported the president
could not entertain the offer Of the
Fan nAmerican company, and under 1t
the president by treaty might bind the
United States to construct the Nicara-
qua canal even though we afterward
became convinced tha the other was
the better route.
Mr. Burton of Ohio, who led the OPP
position to a similar bill in the last
congress, said he would be glad to see
the pending bill passed. AS between
the two routes which the commission
reported to be feasible he was inclined
to favor Panama. He believed that the
Morris amendment should be adopted.
Mr.. Burton received a round Of APP
plause as he concluded
Mr.. Hill of Connecticut read let
ter from Professor Ward. Of Brodee-
port, Conn, who was employed as an
engineer on the Pan American canal
for six and half years, contending
that the Pan-American route was the
better on the following grounds:
First-It-has two excellent ports with
a well equipped railroad.
Second-An established line of steam
ers to New York.
Thrd-Competent equipment of cars
and machinery.
Fourth--A ctual definite plans for the
of the canal with all the ex-
perimentaI work don. and
Sixth-The serious danger Of volcanic
disturbances at Nicaragua.
Professor Ward said in his letter that |
he was not actuated by the French |
in writing it, but because he
desired to have his country have the |
best Mr.. Hill said he would vote for
the alternative proposition.
Mr.. Burgess of Texas, who represents |
the Galveston district, supported the
bill in an earnest speech.
Messrs. Bell of Colorado and Cooney |
Of Missouri also spoke in advocacy Of
the pending bill.
Mr. Bromwell of Ohio said he would
support the Morris amendment and
was moved to do so by the facts set
'orth in the report Of the isthmian ca.
lal commission.
Mr., Cummings of New York opposed
'urther consideration of the Pan Amer
ca company's offer. The company
wanted $40, 900, 900 for the work already
lone, which covered about one-fourth
If the canal. The completed one-fourth
lad cost the French stockholders S24O,-
100, 000 At the same rate it would cost
he United States $720 100000 to COM
,lete the canal.
Mr.. Gillette of Massachusetts, believed
he new offer of the Pan-America com
ANY should receive due considera ton
lad that offer not been made he did
lot believe that there would be a word
n a vote against the Hepburn bill.
Mr.. Littlefield of Missouri announced
hat he would support the amendment
f it failed, he would vote for the bill.
After some further remarks in favor
f the bill by Mr.. Corliss of Michigan
nd Mr.. Gibson, Tennessee, Mr. Lacey
f Iowa closed the debate for the day.
1t the request of Mr.. Hepburn it was
greed that general debate on the bill
hall close to- morrow at 3 p. IN.
Mr.. Hopkins of Illinois secured unan-
nous consent that the bill to esta blish
permanent census bureau shall he
lade continuing order until disposed
f. after the Nicaraguan bill is acted | ,
pon. !
At 4:50 p. m. the house adjourned
Meeting OF Harvard OyrEgceys