The Washington times., 1902-01-22
CANAL BILLi55T0
PASS CONGRESS-.
Senator Aldrich Declares That
the Upper House viii Enact
Legislation Before the Ad-
jOurRment Of Congress.
PRESIDENT MAY DECIDE ROUTE.
Attempts to Prevent Action Will
Fail-Up to the French Company
to Comply With the Demands Of
the Situation.

" ~ Siidc<tiAuts
Senator Aldrich, of Rhode Island, chair
man of the Finance Committee, and the
party manager for the Republicans on the
floor of the Senate. was in his seat yes
terday for the first time since the holiday
recess.
He had conferences with various infiu-
entail Senators and Representatives, in
Guiding Senator Allison, who returned
yesterday, and preliminary steps were
taken for getting together upon legis-
lative programme for the session.
Mr.. Allison will shortly appoint steer
ing committee, authorized some time ago
by the Republican caucus. In the mean
time matters will drift, the Philippine
tariff bill being the order of business.
After looking the ground over Senator
Aldrich said yesterday:
Senate Will Insist.
In my Judgment, the Senate will in
sist upon a canal within a reasonable
time, and after full examination of both
routes will proceed to act at this session
upon the principle that a canal should be
authorized before we adjourn"
This expresses the opinion of the lead
ers and Of Congress generally that all
attempts to prevent legislative action at
this session by playing off the Panama
route against the Nicaragua route. or
vice versa. ought to fail, and will fail.
This opinion has not abated since it was
first formed before the recess, and it has
not been materially affected by the sup
Elementary report of the Isthmien Com
mission.
The report has of course added the
weight of the expert authority of the
commission to the argument in favor of
the Panama route. That it shall result.
however, in such delays as might ac-
company an effort of Congress to decide
definitely between the two routes is en-
tirely foreign to the present purpose OF
the leaders.
An Excuse for Further Delay.
They recognize that the new report
might well be made the excuse for fur
ther delay, which might eiiectually pre-
vent canal legislation at this session, and,
as a probable consequence. by this Con-
gress. since nobody believes that the anti
canal forces could be overthrown within
the brief period OF the short session.
Such success on the part of those who
seek to prevent the completion Of any
canal the leaders are determined to pre-
vent. a. ~
lii effect, they notify the Panama Canal
Company that now that they have con-
vinced the commission that under GER
tain conditions their Nute is preferable,
1t is their business, il they want to ef-
feet a sale, to make 1t plain that these
conditions can be fulfilled within q
reasonable time, and at no additional cost
to the United States. If they can do that
the Panama route will be selected, other
wise the decision will be in favor of the
Nicaragua.
But rather than involve Congress in
another prolonged examination of the rel
alive merits of the two proposed routes,
| the leaders would prefer to place the re-
sponsibility for the decision upon the
President and it is predicted that in the
end such action will be taken, unless the
Senate should decide. as Senator Morgan
says it eventually will, to eliminate Pana-
| ma from the situation and pass the Hep
burn bill.
President Mny Decide.
The Morris amendment, to leave the
selection of a route to the President. was
voted down by the House, but it mustered
| 102 votes as it was, and was undoubtedly
| favored by many more members besides,
| and the Senate leaders feel, no doubt
| that it could be re-embodied in the bill
| in such form as would prove palatable
| to the House, with which body no con-
| fict is desired or anticipated.
If such a proposition should be incor-
porated in the bill as it finally passed
| both houses. it would be with The under
standing that the President would say to
| the Panama people that if they could
within 4 stated time, which would have
| to be brief, transfer an UnencumI-rcd IT,
| tie at no increase in cost. then-the United
States would close with their offer. II
| they could not carry out that condition,
or should require an indefinite time in
which TO perfect their title. then this Gov
ernment would defnitively select the
| Nicaragua route, and proceed according
| ly without delay.
The Better Route Wanted.
The most influential forces in the SEN
| ate want to build the canal by the better
route. but insist that in determining the
| better route the element of time neces-
sary to begin construction under a per-
| feet title shall be considered as an impor-
| tant factor demonstrated impossible
| ty of acquiring complete title to the
| Panama route within the stipulated price
with indefinite delay would be considered
| by them sufficient TO outweigh the slight
rhvsical and economical advantages which
| the commission now claims for that
| route.