The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-26
THIS ASSURES A CANAL
The Great Thing For Which He is
Struggling.
SLOW PROGRESS IS MADE IN The HOUSE
Philippine Bill Thrown. Open For Amendment.
Report on the Omnibus Statehood Bill
viii be Made 10 the Senate
Next Session.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, d. c., June 25.-The con-
ferees on the Isthmian Canal Bill reached
cmplete and unanimous agreement at
2:35 clock this afternoon in favor of ac-
cepting the Senate amendment which
ccntemplates the building of the Panama
Canal if the President can secure clear
title to that route. The final confer
ence lasted only half an hour Before
the decision was reached Mr.. Hepburn
on behalf of the House confcrees en-
Geavored to secure a modification of the
Senate amendment limiting the Presi-
dent to six months time within which
the title to the Panama route is to be
perfected. When this failed Mr. Eep-
burn made no further opposition and the
Senate amendment was concurred in ex-
actly in the form that it passed the SEN
ate. 1t was arranged that brief state
ment should be prepared for presenta-
tion 70 the Senate and House and the
conferacs separated.
Mr.. Hepburn reported the conference
report on the Canal Bill to the House
and under the rules it went over until
tomorrow
Mr.. Hepburn submitted the following
statement to the House:
1.-The effect of the action of the con
ferees, if approved by the House will be
to eliminate all of the provisions of bill
as passed by the House and Senate into
legislation all of the provisions of the
Senate amendment"
Mr. Hepburn will call up the bill for
fral action tomorrow.
The morning conference today was
practically conclusive in establishing
that the Senate Panama amendment
would be agreed to just as framed and
the House conferees went back to the
House and reported to their associates
that such an agreement would be made.
Representative Hepburn made a strong
effort at today's meeting to secure amend
ments to the Senate provision. One of
his propositions was to give the Presi-
dent larger discretionary power, allowing
him to pass upon merits as well as upon
title of routes. Another was to limit
The title within which the time of the
Panama route was to be perfected. These
efforts were not successful, however, and
the issue was brought down to accept
ing the Senate amendment just as it is.
that Senator Morgan had sent word to
the Alabama delegation in Congress that
it was advisable to accept the Senate
Panama substitute just as it stands. On
inquiry this proved to be correct. and
the fact that the foremost supporter of
the Nicaragua route advised agreeing to
the Senate amendment was considered as
conclusively Indicating the final results
Mr. Morgans views were communicated
to one OF the Alabama members and by
request were made known to all the
members of the delegation.
1t was stated in explanation of the
Senator's change of position that he con-
sidered the Senate amendment as insur-
ing the prospect of a canal of some kind;
moreover. he believes that the negotia-
tions for the title to the Panama route
will fail so that ultimately the Nicara-
qua route will have to be selected under
the act.