The Washington times., 1902-01-28
Senators Curious Concern
ing Change of Recon-
mendation.
ALL INFORMATION TO Be SOUGHT.
Question of Title to Be In
vestigated.
THE SAN BIAS ROUTE TUNNEL
MIR. ScOtt Introduces Resolution Pro-
vidinE SI5.O00 for Report on the
Darien CnnaI Project.

There will be a thorough investigation
of the canal question by the Senate Com
mittee on Interoceanic Canals before any
bill is reported to the Senate.
This was decided upon at an interest
ing and somewhat lively meeting of the
committee yesterday morning, every one
of the eleven members of the committee
being present.
Canal Commission to Be Heard.
When adjournment took place at u
O'Clock the members referred all those
who sought information as to what had
been done to the chairman, Mr.. Morgan.
The latter stated that it had been de-
cided to have the members of the 18th
mian Canal Commission appear before the
committee and submit all the informa-
tion in their possession on which they
based their recent report recommending
the selection of the Panama route.
This determination was reached only
after considerable discussion, and very
much against the wishes of the chairman
and certain members of the committee.
To Crafty Curiosity.
The purpose of having the testimony of
the Canal Commission is not so much to
learn why they recommended the Panama
route as to crafty the curiosity OF some
of the members who are anxious to know
their minds, the presumption being that
the commission originally favored the
Nicaragua route.
There is no evidence of this, however
as in the first report the commission
plainly indicated that had they been able
at the time it was made to submit the
definite offer of sale from the Panama
company that was made later, and in
cluded in the second report, they would
have then declared in favor of the Pan
anna route.
The Question of Title.
The member of the committee who was
most anxious to ascertain the reasons for
the Canal Commissions change of base"
is Senator Harris of Kansas. On his mo-
tion subcommittee was appointed, COM
posed of lawyers only, who are instructed
10 investigate thoroughly the legal ques-
tions involved in the offer of the Pa lama
Company to sell its rights and property
for 81, 900. 00C. In other words, this sub
committee Is TO ascertain whether the
Panama Company could give the United
States clear title if their offer should
be accepted.
Mr.. Harris associates on this subcom-
mittee are Senators Turner of Washing
ton and Foster of Louisiana, Democrats.
and Senator Kittredge OF South Dakota,
Republican.
A Hearing Monday.
The examination of the members of the
Canal Commission will take place before
the full committee, and probably will be-
gin next Monday. There are eleven mem
bers, and according to their present views
seven are in favor of the Nicaraguan
route.
Senator Hanna, who strongly opposes
the adoption of the Nicaraguap route
said yesterday that unless there should
be decided change OF opinion in the
committee a bill providing for the selec-
tion OF the Nicaraguan route Will eventu-
ally be reported to the Senate, but not
until there has been a complete enquiry
into the whole subject.
VIII Weigh Carefully.
In the Senate sentiment is rapidly
crystallizing in favor of seriously and in
good faith considering the practicability
of the Panama cffer.
Another incident took place in the COM
mittee yesterday that was not mentioned
by Chairman Morgan in his statement of
the proceedings. This was the reading
of a letter from Andrew Carnegie, con-
tanning an argument in favor Of the Pan
anna route. and recommending the ac-
ceptance Of the Panama's s offer as a wise
and sensible business proposition.
The letter, after being read in .ull was
referred to Senator Harris subcommittee
and the Senator is now considering the
edyisability Of preparing a reply to II.