New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-03
NO CANAL LEGISLATION.
DECISION OF THE SENATE REPUBLICAN
STEERING COMMITTEE
OTHER MEASURES HAVE PRECEDENCE AT
THIS SESSION OF CONGRESS
TIoNs THAT PANAMA WILL UL-
TIMATELY BE CHOSEN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.I

10y TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. April There VIII be no 18TH
,,isn canal legislation at this session of Con-
Gross Predictions to this effect have been made
in The Tribune frequently since the subject has
,aen under discussion this winter. and now a
,,ositive statement can take the place Of predic-
Tim. There is only contingency in which
legislation the subject can be forced at this
session. That is that the supporters of the
t5enb,,rn Nicaragua bill are sufficiently strong
IN the Senate to force that measure to vote
an q question of consideration, for there is no
likelihood that the bill will get place on the
calendar that will give it any rights over other
legislation which is pressing for attention. The
decision as the postponement of the consid-
GRAFTON Of the bill virtually reached to-day
ny the Republican steering committee of the
Sanare Of which Mr.. Allison is chairman. Six
members Of that committee are known to be op-
posed 10 taking up the canal bill in any form
ahead of the Philippine Civil Government BILL
the Cuban Reciprocity bill, the River and Har-
Dor BILL and various other measures Of almost
equal Importance. to say nothing Of numerous
supply bills, that, Of course, Will have the right
of way over all other measures.
Senator Morgan and the other uncompromis-
ing supporters of the Hepburn bill presumably
are not yet aware OF the decision Of the Repub-
lican steering committee to push the measures
named ahead Of the canal BILL and 1t is thong 1T
that when they learn Of it they will try to make
trouble 1t is believed that Mr.. Morgan will
raise the question Of consideration in favor of
the Hepburn BILL and. that motion is never
dehataple a vote viii be at once taken on the
proposition to set a day for the consideration
of the bill There is scarcely any doubt that
the motion will be lost by overwhelming ma
iority as too much interest is felt in other
legislation at this session for many Senators to
risk losing favorite bills by voting with Mr.
Morgan to bring the canal question to a definite
conclusion at this time. 1t is doubtful that
the canal question. after being postponed at this
session in the manner described, will be disposed
NJ at the next session On the contrary, the
consensus Of the best informed opinion at pres
enr is that the whole matter will have to go
over to the next Congress
In the time the question as to routes
will be brought squarely before the people in the
Congress campaign soon to open. and 1t VIII
be presented TO the voters in all It's phas IS.
Then when the LVIIIth Congress assemblies the
members Of both houses Will know definitely
what the people want and will also get ado1-
ticnal light on the matter through new surveys
and Investigations Of both the Panama ana
Nicaragua routes, which will probably be made
by order OF this Congress. AT the same time the
negotiations between this government ana Co
lombia to enable the French Panama Canal
Company to grant clear title fer It's property
to the United States will be pushed to compile
tion and thus the whole canal question will be
presented in q fuller and more satisfactory light
OF course, the revised recommendation Of the
Isthmian Canal Commission favorable to the
Panama route, to suit the changed conditions
brought about by the offer of the French COM
pany TO sell its property to the United States
al the valuation fixed by the commission VIII
have great weight in the country, we'll as in
Congress and il is freely predicted that unless
the Supporters Of the Nicaragua scheme prepare
a stronger case than they have been able thus
far 10 present the Panama route eventually
will be selected by Congress.