The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-06-12
WEEKS DO|NGS
IN CONGRESS

Business Transacted by the
House and Senate in the
National Capital.
ANTI-ANARCHlST BILL PASSED
House Passes Substitute for Senate Meas
ure-senate Has the Nicaragua Canal
Bill Under Consideration-Hanna Favors
Panama Route.
Washington, June 4.-Senate.-Dis
cussion Of the project of constructing
an isthmian canal was begun by the
senate today. Morgan, of Alabama.
chairman of the committee on inter-
oceanic canals, opened the debate,
speaking nearly three hours. A con-
siderable portion of his speech was
devoted to an examination of recent
ly reported danger to the Nicaraguan
canal route by seismic disturbances.
This danger, he concluded, after
existed only in the imagination of
those who desired to defeat any canal
project. His study of the situation
had convinced him that really there
was no greater damage from volcano
and earthquake disturbances to the
Panama route than to the Nicaragua
route, but he was satisfied that little
danger to either was to be anticipat-
ed. Morgan also reviewed at length
the political conditions in Columbia,
finding in them q grave of menace to
the United States in the construction
of canal by the Panama route. He
presented, also, the present phases of
the diplomatic negotiations looking to
the building Of canal byrboth the
Nicaragua route and by the Panama
route. He closed with strong appeal
for the passage of the Nicaragua bill.
The bill authorizing the promotion and
retirement Of the present senior ma.
jor of the army, Major General John
r. Brooke, was passed. A bill was
also passed providing that the post
master general may extend free deliv-
cry to cities of 5000 inhabitants or
$4,000 gross income, instead of 10000
inhabitants as at present.
House.-The debate on the anti
anarchy bill continued all day in the
house. 1t was without sensational
features, being confined almost entire.
Ny to the legal and constitutional
phases Of the question.
Washington, June Sin further
consideration of the isthmian canal
project, the senate heard today two
speeches, neither of which was COM
pleted. Mr.. Hanna of Ohio, spoke in
favor of the Spooner amendment, con-
ferring on the president authority to
purchase the rights of the Panama
Canal company, If valid title could
be obtained, otherwise he shall decide
upon the Nicaragua route. Mitchell
supported the Hepburn bill for the
consideration of the canal by the Mic
aragua route. Seldom has senator
been accorded a mora attentive hear
ing than that given Hanna. The
Panama route he considered much to
be preferred to the Nicaragua route,
as it provided an interoceanic water.
way much shorter and one that could
be traversed at less expense than the
Nicaragua route. He maintained that
the United States was to build the
canal to accommodate the commerce
of the world, and said that fact must
be taken into account.
Mitchell urged that unless the Mic
aragua route was determined upon
definitely by congress, it would mean
the indefinite postponement and per-
haps the ultimate defeat of any canal
legislation. He insisted that the Mic
aragua route was entirely feasible
and practicable, while the Panama
route involved difficulties which were
scarcely to be surmounted.
House.-The general debate on the
anti-anarchy bill was ended today ex-
cept for two speeches, which will be
made tomorrow. Mr.. Littlefeld, of
Maine, will make the closing argu-
ment in support of the measure. The
debate today like that of yesterday,
was devoted to legal arguments, the
speakers today being sibley of Penn
sylvania, DeArmond of Missouri, Will
liams of Mississippi, Wooten of Texas,
McDermott of New Jersey, Loud of
California Crumpacker of Indiana,
Maddox OF Georgia. Ball of Texas,
and Clark of Missouri.
Washington, June -Senate.-Af.
ter transacting some routine business
today, the senate resumed considera-
ton of the isthmian canal bill, Hanna,
of Ohio, continuing his arguments in
support OF the Panama canal The
Ohio senator declared that ncL,oliti-
cal considerations were invc = ed in
the canal problem. He presented the
opinions of eighty three ship masters
and pilots in favor of the Panama
route as against the Nicaragua route,
for many reasons which they cited.
He urged that the construction of the
Nicaragua canal was beset with diff
culties, while the construction Of the
Panama canal was an open book"
He laid particular stress on the dan
ger to the Nicaragua route from vol
canoes, and urged that it was not good
business policy to ignore these dan
gers in project involving an expendi-
ture of $200,0OO.O00. In conclusion
Hanna appealed to the senate to con-
slider the matter as business PROPOSE
ton, and with some feeling repudiat-
ed the suggestion that those favoring
the Panama route were not in favor Of
any canal. Morgan, chairman of the
committee on interoceanic canals, pre-
scented letter from Secretary of State,