The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-22
Indications Are That House Mil Accept Panama Substitute
AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION
Morgan and Hepburn Hold Conference, But as Yet No Plan Has Been Agreed Upon-Want Some
 Amendments.
BY WATTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington, June 21.-(SpeciaD-Senat Morgan, representing the Senate, and Representative Hepburn the House, on the canal conference committee, discuss ed the subject informally this morning. There will be several conferences with the full committee early next week, and perhaps by Friday the House will have an opportunity to vote.
 That Senator Hanna will be able to exert enough influence on the Republican side of the House for a safe majority for Panama seems to be assured. The Mic aragua advocates have as yet made no definite plans though there are several points in the bill they would like to have amended.
 "A Reasonable Time"
 As passed by the Senate the bill gives the President "a reasonable time" to obtain a clear title to the Panama canal. Reasonable may mean anything, and if not to defeat any canal, could be con- strued to authorize the President to dick CT for years for a title to the French con- pany, thus virtually annulling the provi- sion that the Nicaragua route is to be selected should a satisfactory title to Panama not be obtainable. If an Isth- milan canal is to be built there should be no objection to a time limit for diplomatic negotiations, canal advocates declare.
 The associates of Mir. Hepburn and Mir Morgan were not called In during tho early hours of the day, but were asked to hold themselves in readiness for an early meeting. Meantime the friends of the respective projects were active in making plans.
 House Will Give Under.
 Although no formal meeting was held of the house conferees, formal exchanges showed their general attitude. They are. first of all, for canal, and while favor able to the Nicaragua route they will not insist upon that route to the extent of defeating the legislation. As soon as It becomes evident that the senate will not yield the Spooner amendment will be accepted as the best solution possible. There is no doubt as to the opinions of two out of the three house conferees, and it is to be shared by all of them. This assures an agreement in conference without much delay, even if the house does not relieve the confereeS of their re- responsibilities by adopting a motion to concur with the senate, which there is good reason to believe MT. Burton of Ohio Is ready to make.
 The first formal meeting of the isthmian canal copferees will be at 2 o'clock on Monday. This was arranged at a meet ing of MT. Morgan and MT. Hepburn this afternoon.
 Hepburn Sees President.
 Washington, June H.-Chairman Hep- burn of the House committee on inter- state and foreign commerce, had a long conference with the President tonight on canal matters. MT. Hepburn declined to say anything regarding the conference. Representative Payne of New York was also among the Presidents callers to- night.
 Wants Survey of Darlen Route.
 Washington, June 21.-Representative Brownlow of Tennessee today introduced a joint resolution providing for survey of the Isthmus of Darien for the ascer- tainment of It's availability for an inter- oceanic canal.