The Washington times., 1902-06-21
No Delay Anticipated in
Selecting the Pan
anna Route.
COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW
Expected That a Report Will Be Made
Tomorrow - Conference Committee
Evenly Divided on Advocacy of Two
Waterways.

There will be no delay IN ulSpoSlnS
of the canal matter. This was decided
yesterday at a conference of some OF the
leading Republicans of the House, in
Guiding Speaker Henderson, with Sena-
tor Hanna and others yesterday.
Indications all point to the acceptance
OF the Spooner substitute by the House.
Not only do large number of the mem
bers believe in the wisdom OF the Sc
lection of the Panama route as against
the Nicaraguan route, but great many
more believe that if there is to be any
canal legislation at this session of Con-
gress the Spooner substitute must be
agreed to BIZ the House.
A Change of Sentiment.
A change OF sentiment has come over
the House since the Hepburn bill pass
ed last January. This has been accom-
pIished by the facts which have beer
brought out in support of the Panama
project, and the assurance that a clear
title can be had to the property of the
French Company, since the measure has
been under consideration in the Senate.
When the bill was before the House
there were 102 members who voted tor
the Shackleford amendment, which plac-
ed the selection of the route in the hands
Of the President, provided a clear title
could be had TO the Panama property.
and that 1t could be bought for $40 000.-
900. All of these members are now In fa-
vor of agreeing to the Senate amend
ho h,,r,
dred more who will now vote to accept
the Spooner substitute for the reasons
stated.
Bill Received From the Senate.
The bill came over from the Senate
yesterday during the discussion of the
Philippine civil government bill. A
short time afterward Mr. Hepburn, the
chairman of the Committee on Com
merce, asked unanimous consent to non
concur in the Senate amendments. and
to agree to the request of the Senate
for a conference.
Mr.. Burton, speaking for the Panama
lists, said that he would object to that
request. An understanding with Mr.. |
Hepburn, he said. required that when |
the report OF the conference committee |
should be submitted, any member would |
have an opportunity to offer a motion |
and time TO be heard upon 1t. He there |
fore thought it would be best to allow |
the matter to take this course. Mr.. |
Hepburn gave his assent.
Mr.. Williams Dem, Miss.) said he |
hoped no friend of the Nicaragua route |
would object, but that the conferees
would die in the last ditch rather than |
do 90 Ia
accept the Panama route.
The conference was agreed to, and the |
Speaker appointed as conferees Messrs. |
Hepburn, Fletcher and Davey, the lat
ter Democrat.
Meeting of Committee.
Prior to the return of the bill from |
the Senate 10 the House. the Committee
on Commerce had a meeting and an in
formal discussion of the canal matter |
Mr.. Hepburn was then directed to ask
unanimous consent TO non-concur and |
agree to a conference.
As the conference committee stands, |
there are three advocates OF the Mic
aragua route. Senator Morgan, Repre-
Hepburn. and Davey, and
tNTee supporters OF tUe SpoOHtI duieuu-
ment, Senators Hanna, Kittredge. and
Fletcher.
The latter is not enthusiastic over
the building OF any canal, and was one
of the two members OF the House who
voted against the final passage of the
Hepburn bill last January. after the b.
feat Of The Shackleford amendment. Mr..
Lassiter tDem.. Na.) was the other mem
ber who voted against the bill. Mr..
Fletcher will support the Spooner
amendment.
The conferees will hold a meeting to-
morrow, and their report, whether a
or not, will doubtless be
made at an early date.
When the matter of accepting or re-
iecting the Spooner amendment comes
before the House. there is practically
no doubt that II will be accepted
This was the consensus of opinion OF
leading members of the House yester-
lay. There are, however, respectable
number who will oppose the Panama
route to the last.