Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-26
CONGRESS | n
HURRY ON
CANAL
NO TIME TO BE LOST AND CON-
FEREES OF HOUSE AND SEN
ATE WILL TRY TO AGREE AT
THIS SESSION.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. June 2S.-The
naming of the house conferees to consider
canal bill that has passed senate indicates
that no time will be lost by the houses In
reaching an agreement before the close
of the session The conferees are Chair
man Hepburn, of the committe on commerce,
who champlOned the Nicaragua Route
In the house Fletcher, of Minnesota IRE
publIcan) and Davey, Of Louisiana (Dem-
ocrat)
The conferees held their first meet
ing this afternoon and while there is no
certainty as to what the result was II
is considered as very likely that the house
members will Insist upon the Insertion OF a
time clause within which the President
must determine whether or not the Pana-
ma route shall be selected, and they will
also probably Insist on more explicit pro-
visions for insuring a clear title TO the
property and immunity from future claims
by creditors and share holders Of the de-
funct corporation.
Senator Mallory, Of Florida, has made
three futile efforts to have time clause
inserted, but was fought by Mr.. Spooner
and defeated In eevry instance. He first
placed the time at six months, later in
cluded it to a year and finally year and
a half. The senate would probably yield
to such a demand rather than defeat the
bill lust as the house would probably &C
cept the main provisions OF the senate
Dill rather tlan QeIedL all leBisldlAoh.
The amendment submitted by Senator
Bacon providing for the composition Of the
commission which was accepted by MI
SpOoner and adopted, was as follows:
That to enable the president to con-
struct the canal and works appurtinant
thereto, there is hereby created the 18th
milan Canal Commission, to be composed OF
seven members, who shall be nominated
or appointed by the president and who shall
serve until the completion of said canal,
unless sooner removed by the President and
one Of whom shall be named as the chair
man. OF the seven members, at least -FOUR
shall be persons learned and skilled In the
science Of engineering, and Of the four at
least one shall be an officer OF the United
Safes army, and at least one other shall be
an officer of the United States navy, said
officers respectively being either upon the
active or the retired list. Said commiss-
toner's shall each receive such compensation
as the President may determine and such
additional allowances for actual expenses
incurred as may be allowed by the president
in his discretion. In addition to the mem
bers Of said Isthmian Canal Commission,
the President is authorized to employ any OF
the engineers Of the United States army
and any engineers in civil life, at his dis
erection, and any other persons necessary
for the proper and expiditious prosecution
Of said work.
and other persons employed shall be fixed
by said commission, subject to the approval
Of the President. The Official salary Of any
officer appointed or employed shall be de-
Quoted from the amount Of salary OF COM
pensation provided by or which shall be
axed until the terms of this act Said
commission shall in all matters be subject
to direction and control OF the president
and shall make to the president annually
and at such other periods as may be re-
auired either by law or by the order Of the
president full and complete reports OF all
their actings and doings, and Of all moneys
received and expended In the construction
of said work and In the performance OF
their duties In connection Herewith, which
said reports shall be by the president trans
mitted to Congress. And the said COM
mission shall furthermore give to Congress,
or either House Of Congress, such informa-
tion as may at any time be required either
by act Of Congress or by the order of either
House or Congress"
Senator Bacon had originally fixed the
salary Of the Commissioners at $4,000 but
finally agreed to leave the matter to the
president.