Evening star., 1902-01-09
DID NOT REACH A VOTE
DEBATE CONTINUED ON THE CANAL
BILL.
1t Was Decided by the House to Close
General Discussion at 2 O'Clock
This Afternoon.

In the House of Representatives yester-
day afternoon it was agreed that general
debate on the canal bill should close today
at 2 o'clock, after which the bill should
be open to amendment under the five
minute rule. The speakers were Messrs
Shaekleford (MissourD, Parker (New Jer-
sey). Lowering (Massachusetts) Morris
(Minnesota). Burton (Ohio). Hill tConnec-
ticut. Bromwell (Ohio), Gillett (Massachu-
setts) and Iittlefield (Maine) in favor of
the Morris amendment, and Messrs Bur
CESS CTexas), Bell (Colorado), Cooney (Mis-
sourD, Cummings New York;, Gibson
(Tennessee) and Lacey Qowa) for the bill
in it's present form.
Mr.. Burton's Contention.
After The Stars report closed Mr.. Bur
ton of Ohio declared that the events of the
last twenty months had vindicated the
course of the minority. The pending bill
conformed to treaty obligations and in
sured the neutrality of the proposed canal
The report of the commission then about
to enter upon it's work and the report OF
which the minority insisted should be
awaited had now been made. That report
Mr.. Burton said, was not entirely salts
factory to him. AS between the two routes
which the commission reported to be feaS1-
BILE, he said he was inclined to favor Pan
anna He could not rid himself of the con-
victfon that the shortness of the Panama
route in time would tell powerfully in its
favor He believed that the Morris amend
ment should be adopted. In speaking of
the advantages of the Panama route. he
said a member of the commission had told
him few days ago that the examination
of the Panama route had been much more
thorough than the other and there was
far less danger of disagreeable surprises
as the work progressed
Prof. Wards View.
Mr.. Hill of Connecticut read letter from
Prof. Ward of Bridgeport, Conn. who was
employed as an engineer on the Panama
canal for six and half years, contending
that the Panama route was the better on
excellent ports, with well-equipped rail-
road; second, an established line of steam
ers to New York; third competent equip
ment or cars and machinery; fourth, ac-
commodation for 10000 laborers: fifth,
actual definite plans for the completion of
the canal. with all the experimental work
done and, sixth. the serious danger of vol
canic disturbances at Nicaragua.
Prof. Ward, in his letter. said he was not
Influenced in writing the letter by the
French company. but because he desired to
have his country have the best. Mr.. Hill
said he would vote for the alternative
proposition.
Wants Clause Directing FOrtifcatIOn.
Mr.. Burgess of Texas. who represents
the Galveston district, supported the bill
in an earnest speech. The only amend
ment he favored was one declaring in un-
equivocal language that the canal should
be fortified. He said that the American
people would make black mark against
every member Of Congress who voted
against the fortification Of the canal at the
time of its construction.
Mr.. Bromwell (Ohio) said he would sup
port the Morris amendment and was
moved to do SO by the facts set forth in the
report Of the isthmian canal commission.
Against the Panama Route.
Mr.. Cummings On. y opposed the further
consideration Of the Panama companys
offer. The company wanted forty millions
for the work already done, which covered
about one-fourth of the canal. The COM
pleted one-fourth had cost the French
stockholders $240, 900, ,OOO At the same rate
1t would cost the United States $720, 100000
to complete the canal
Mr.. Gillett CMass.) believed the new offer
of the Panama company should receive due
consideration. Had that offer not been
made he did not believe there would be
word or vote against the Hepburn bill.
Mr.. Littlefield (Me.) announced that he
would support the amendment If it failed
he would vote for the bill.
After some further remarks in favor of
the bill by Mr.. Corliss CMich) and Mr. Glib
son cTenno Mr.. Lacey Uowa) closed the
debate for the day. He favored the canal
but said that the public should not be de-
luded with the idea that the canal could be
built for the amount estimated by the en-
gineers, with whose figures he took issue.
The committee then rose, and upon the re-
quest Of Mr.. Hepburn it was agreed that
general debate on the bill close today at
o clock
Mr.. Hopkins Gll) asked unanimous con-
sent that the bill to establish a permanent
census bureau be made continuing order
until disposed of after the Nicaraguan bill
is acted upon.
There was no objection, and the order was
made. Then, at 4:50 pm, the House ad-
journed.