The Washington times., 1902-04-18
The Canal Bill Informally
Taken Up in the Senate
Yesterday.
NOTHING TO GAIN BY DELAY
Alabama Senator Declares Possible
Economy Does Not Justify Abandon
ment of Safe Route-Panama Water
ways Success Problematic.

Mr.. Morgan, the chairman of the Inter-
oceanic Canals Committee of the Senate.
occupied the greater part OF the session
yesterday with his speech in favor of the
House bill for a Nicaragua canal and in
an argument against the Panama route
Mr.. Morgan Immediately after the morn
ing business moved that the canal bill be
taken up informally. and, according to An
agreement reached earlier in the week,
no objection was made
When the hour of o'clock arrived.
Mr.. Morgan was allowed to continue his
speech. and the Philippines bill. the reg
ular order of the day. did not come up
Careful Consideration Necessary,
The question of the choice of routes
was. he said, one OF the greatest import
ance, and should be considered carefully.
impartialiy, and with sincerity, A mis-
take made in the selection of canal
route would be simply fatal. route
that world be safe for the construction
and maintenance of ship canal was su-
preme consideration, The interests at
stake and the expenses involved were too
great TO Justify the abandonment of a
safe route for the sake of a possible say
ing in money in a less costly route, which
would be a doubtful saving.
He wished to present to the Senate facts
bearing On the question. He would as
sumo that the Senate, without material
division of opinion, was convinced that an
interoceanic canal was a national neces-
sity and that it was only a choice of
methods and comparison of national ad-
vantages which was left to decide, 'all
questions of financial ability, of private
interests, of political bias having been
relegated to the rear by command of a
free. honest. and powerful people.
1T is to reach the logical results that
should follow the actual merits of the
claim Of either canal route. in deciding
the preference, that | will try to present
an outline of the questions that now re-
quire discussion" he said.
Stated in Six Propositions.
Mr.. Morgan said that the investigation
was complete and nothing could be
gained by delay: it was choice of two
routes-Panama or Nicaragua; the con-
trolling factors were the success OF con-
struction and the best interests of the
United States; the control of selection
should not be affected all thing consid-
cred, on account OF expense. say within
a limit of $50, 200, zoo; the practicability
of constructing the Nicaragua canal was
beyond a shadow of doubt and within the
estimates; if the Bohio dam at Panama
should fail the only hope of canal would
perish. while the failure of one dam on
the San Juan River would mean construc-
tion at another point.
Mr.. Morgan said none of the three COM
had expressed doubt or appre-
hension as to the Nicaragua route. The
supplemental report of the last commits
sion in favor of Panama was based upon
a supposed gain to the Government in
cost of $3.50, 70i.
Mr.. Morgan spoke of the clouds of
doubt concerning the Panama route. He
also said the political conditions OF Mica
ragua and Costa Rica were more favorable
than those of Colombia. He said the
commission had no authority TO accept an
offer from the Panama Canal Company.
Panama Offer Reviewed.
Mr.. Morgan reviewed at great length
the offer of the French canal company to
sell their property to the United States.
describing how they had reduced their
price from s109.Oc0.000 to S40.0O0.GO0 be-
cause they had faith in the reputed
American fondness for tempting bar
gains.''
He criticised the canal committee Of
which Admiral Walker is head for the
making of the supplemental report. say
ing that there was no good reason ad-
in itfor changing its recommenda-
tions from the Nicaragua to the Panama
route, except the chance of saving a lit
tie money.
At the conclusion of his speech Mr.. Nor
gan presented and had printed list of
sailing ships that have been built within
the last two years.