Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-05-17

Washington, May Ex-senator Hanna
has decided to include in II published
volume of testimony accompanying his
minority report OH the Hepburn canal
bill. which has been accepted by II ma
jority of the senate committee, some
most interesting data now coming to
hand concerning the vOlca mic conditions
on the two routes. 1t is acknowledged
that the dangers CT this sort are I'M
measuraby less at Panama and be-
sides, its shorter distance greatly les
sens the risk If the United States
should ignore the consideration, in the
face of the stupendOus disaster ut Mar
tinique. its folly would be monumental.
Such Il canal should be work cf CEN
turtles and If the records of the last 400
years show that the Nicaragua route
would be in greater danger. or reh-
dcred liable thereto. its selection would
be most unfortunate. Any work Of
man, even one costing S3OOUOO,WN. as
this doubtless would, might obviously
be undOne in day.
What effect this argument will have
upon Senator MOrgan's followers can
not now lie stated. There will be some
delay in getting up the canal bill on
account of desire to let the Cuban re-
lief measure go. in ahead of it. Mr.
Morgan, the chief champion Of Mic
aragua. has become almost mono
maniac in its advocacy and probably
would not be influenced by any group
of facts, but some of his ass ciates are
more reasonable and the prospects of
accepting the French offer and build
ing across Panama are thus materially
improved by the data to which the West
Indian tragedy has given emphasis.
Senator Teller, an influential minority
leader. says that he believes the vol
canic danger will have good deal of
weight in the coming discussion of
canal routes. The senator says that he
has always been interested in this qlles-
tion from an engineering point Of view,
and not because it meant much one way
Orado. AS to routes he is still open to
conviction and he believes that to be
true of the senate itself. The phase of
the Panama idea which particularly
appeals to him is the possibility which
1t would have of a sea level waterway.
In case earthquakes or other disturb
nnces interfered with canal having
locks.
Whether the senate will get around
Mt this session 10 canal legislation Is
IT'LL u much-disputPd question. When
senator Morgan was asked concerning
The report that it would be allowed to
90 over till the next session, he said:
Il have the word of Senator \ llSOn that
the canal bill will be taken up at this
session. For me to express the opin,
ion now that such will not be the case
would be to cast a reflection upon my
distinguished colleague. That l have
no purpose of DOING
The leaders, Republicans and Demo
Gratis. still insist that this question
should be disposed of at the present
session. These persons who predict that
it will not be acted upon, do SO on the
theory that the session Is now far ud.
vanced, with a number Of complca-
tions still unsettled, and that by The
time they are all out Of the way the
warm weather of Washington and the
pressure of the congressional campaign
will exert an influence toward bringing
the session to- an end, and that the
canal bill will be quietly passed over