Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-11
Argues in Favor of Panama
Canal Route.
DOES NOT FAVOR DELAY
POPULAR ELECTION OF SEN
ATORS
Motion to Discharge the Committee
Considering Matter Defeated in
the Senate by RI to 35.


vidng for the issuance of passports to per-
sons who owe allegiance to the United
states. whether they be citizens of the
United States or not. was passed
1t was explained by Mr.. Foraker that the
bill simply was to provide for the issuance
of passports to citizens of Porto Rico and
the Philippines.
A bill for the construction of dam
across the St. Lawrence river from Adams
Island. in Canadian territory. to Les Galops
Island. in United States territory, was
passed.
Several days ago Mr.. Berry (Ark) asked
for consideration of the motion of Mr. Wei
lington Md to discharge the committee
on privileges and elections from further
consideration of the resolution providing
for amendment TO the Constitution that
senator's should be elected by the people
In accordance with the arrangement made
then Mr.. Berry today called up the motion.
The motion was defeated II to 80.
The vD,e was follows
YeaS-Ba!Iey. Bate. Berry, Blackburn,
Carmack. ClapP Cockrell. Dubois. Foraker
Foster G4aD. Heitfeld, Jones CArkD Nc
I.aUrin CIiSsD Martin. Mas0n. Nelson. Pat
terson. Perkins. Taliaferro, Teller, Tillman
ii.
Nays-Mdrich. Allison. Bard. Burnham
Burrows. Burton. CuiIom. Deboe. Dietrich.
Dillingham;, Dolliver, Elkins Fairbanks,
Foster CWashD. Frye. Gallinger. Gamble,
Hale. Hanna. Hawley, Hoar, Kean. kearns,
Kittredge McComas, McCumber. Mcmillan,
Willard. Platt Comm, Platt On. ". Scott
Spooner. Stewart, Vest. Wetmore-3j.
Consideration then was resumed of the
isthmian canal project. Mr.. Fairbanks
(IndI addressing the Senate
Speech of Senator Fairbanks.
Senator Fairbanks of Indiana declared
himself in favor of the Panama canal
route. His productions and opinions,
founded upon fragmentary and unsatis-
factory information. he said, had been en-
tirely In favor of the Nicaragua route. But
IL weight was TO be given to the opinion of
our own impartial commissioners, men of
experience and capacity. he declared
must discard the Nicaragua and select the
Panama route. The senator spoke of the
greatness Of the undertaking. one which
when completed would vitality affect the
commerce Of the United States and of the
world y new highway was to be estab-
IIshed. through which a mighty commerce
would pass during the centuries before us.
The United States. he said does not I'M
derrate the magnitude Of the work Her
resources are entirely adequate. She asks
no ali Of any p0-Her-and is ready TO carry
ths enterprise 10 its consummation. and
mold II perpetUaiiy for the commerce of the
world. and upon the terms of absolute
equality.
He then discussed the steps leading up
70 th@ formation of the Walker commission
and its two reports, the first fayora bic to
Nicaragua and the second favoriny Para-
ma. after the Panama Canal Company ND
offered 10 sell it's rights and pronerfv -nr
Sin"poFn- The commission, he declared
had acted with entire consistency and the
reasons which led it to reconsider and
Shdnse It's recommendations were abso-
lut+ly sound and Controlling
II. said the atOr we had hut IN rom
Slier Inc relative cost of construction of
the tBo canals there would be n saving
s xp2I tne Tahama route of substantially
s',aHSHn, The commission had disclosed
singular and important fact one which
should be distinctly borne in mind and
that Is mat II would cost 81. 3DD. 900 less Der
ahhun 70 operate the Panama than TO on
crate the Nicaragua route. This sum ca n
named on the basis of the interest unon
the national bonds, equivalent to per
cent, amounted TO So, 900, 900 Add To this
the amount saved in construction and h.
said We have a total. sum to the credit of
thg Panama route of s7O.Joo,o00.
ne declared that the all-important ques-
.tCL "dES 70 select the proper route. and
ms must be determined upon no consid-
erdtions Of mere sentiment or favoritisn,
The Question of Title.
The senator discussed at considerable
length the question of title of the property
OF the Panama Canal Company. He did
not think, he said. that the contention that
II was impossible for the United States to
secure an absolute title to the property to
De We'll founded. but said he believed that
the United states would take the property,
- a. S+'HII purchase II. free and clear of
All demands of stockholders and creditors
anu tndt Ii would not rest under any legal
equitable or moral obligation TO pay one
dollar beyond the s4OOOOuD0 the price
asked by the canal company
me views of the minority of the COM
HIit'te win respect to the power Of the
company 10 convey TO the United States a
good title, he said. are perfectly sound and
consistent with the practice of the French
and American courts
Discussing the question OF paying for the
proposed canal. Senator Fairbanks said he
would rather see the work paid for out of
Tie treasury as ii progresses. and without
issuing "A solitary bond therefor but there
are 50 many urgent and proper drafts
upon the treasury that he feared it could
not be done without imposing an undue
burden upon it. The building of the canal
should not be allowed TO postpone the
many improvements necessary 10 accom-
moddte the public business and to impose
burden which would make necessary and
Imperative a considerable annual increase
in current taxes For these reasons the
cost Of the work should be distributed over
reasonable number Of years by the issue
or bonds. 50 that it may be lightly borne.
IN closing the senator combatted the
suggestion that those who opposed the
construction of any isthmian canal are in
favor Of the Panama route, believing that
It's consideration will operate at least 10
further delay the enterprise.