Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-12
The CANAL CONTEST.

The senate is in the midst Of q debate
on the isthmian canal question, the out
come OF which at the present session can
not be predicted with any degree Of GER
tainty. The bill which provides for the
construction of a ship canal across Mic
aragua. the Hepburn bill. as It is called
is before the upper house, as is also the
substitute offered by Senator Spooner.
Between these two measures the con-
test Is now going on. Ill
The transcontinental railroads, the chief
enemies Of all plans 20 connect the two
great seas. have. for the time being, con-
centrated their energies in support Of the
SpOoner substitute. which provides for the
adoption OF the Panama route by the
president; II in HIS judgment our govern
ment can procure a good title to it.
The Pacific railroads had as soon have
an isthmian canal constructed across
Nicaragua as across Panama. They DO
not care a snap for the Spooner substi-
tute. except as a means OF delaying ana
the creation Of possible complications that
will leave them TO enjoy for long time
10 come their present enormous trans
continental trafic. They are fighting the
Hepburn bin so desperately because IT has
already received the approval or the
house and seems to have most favor IN
the senate.
II the Panama proposition were IN the
lead they would be quite as determined
in their opposition TO IT.
There is no danger that a majority OF
the senate will agree to the spooner sub
stitute which puts into the hands OF the
president a responsibility that the coun-
try thinks should be left to congress.
The advocates OF this scheme do not
expect to accomplish more than delay OF
final action on the great question, but
every day of delay in this matter is
worth much 70 the transcontinental rail-
ways.
The friends OF the Hepburn bill are &C
tive and will make a determined effort
to pass II through the senate at this
session, but those who understand how
easy It is for a minority to clog the
wheels OF that slow-moving machine have
very little .ope o. such a happy result.
The demand OF the country for the con-
struction of an isthmian canal is too
strong to be resisted, but compliance
with II may be deferred by one trick and
another a provokingly long time.
The recent volcanic eruptions and earth
quake shocks in the West Indies are be-
ing used for much more than they are,
probably worth by the lobby that is work
ing against the Nicaragua canal route.
An attempt is being made TO show that
this route runs right along number of
now silent volcanoes, some OF which show
signs Of renewed activity, and that IT
would be folly to construct a great gov
eminent work in such unsafe territory.
Those who. for any reason are concerned'
in protecting the. railroad interests that
would suffer by the construction Of an
isthmian canal are posing conspicuously
as patriotic guardians OF the government
and philanthropic friends Of mankind, but
they are OVERRIDING the thing.
The earthquake scare has been about
worked out. and we shall probably see
some new device trumped up soon by
the lobby that is striving to kill or stave
or indefinitely action on this very Inn
portant subject.