The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-02-02
SOME VIEWS AT WASHINGTON

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new light has been thrown the isthman cana
during the past few DAYS As the matter stands nov" W
Hepburn bill has been passed by the house ana y w
senate the canal commission has made Supplemental
favoring the Panama route, Senator morgan wy, W. n
the Nicaragua route with all his old time Vgor ana ths g
resentatves Of the French company and OF the
railroads are doing everything in their power to BLOCK
ton the former the end that the Nicaragua pan may
gotten out Of the way and the latter ior tne pU'P
venting the construction of any canal across the
Practically all of the late Developments IN the way OF R
ports etc. have been in of the Panama route but m
fact has by had the effect OF diSconoe'us ~.
friends of the Nicaragua plan. he latter are conuu ~
full and free discussion OF the matter IN the senate WI"
show bevond the shadow Of doubt that the last report oil
the commission to contrary Notwithstanding the Faha
proposition should not be accepted by TINS country anu nc
the adoption OF Nicaragua route viii be the oest tns
possible under the existing circumstances WINE tue last
repo of the commission was in favor Of the Panama route
is stated on what is regarded the best Of authority that
several of the commissioners are not really IN aNor Oh
and that they only signed the unanimous report IN orue
that it might be made to appear that perfect harmony eN
stcd that there nothing do but 10 push the "ok
on the canal In other words they thought that divided
report might be used by the enemies OF the "hoe eaa
proposition for the purpose Of delaying action and rather
than allow anything Of this sort to occur they concurea IN
opinion which not really held by them
Whether this is true or not it is obvious that this last
report OF the commission is in ways weak document
The change Of opinion the part OF the commission Is at
merely
company had reduced the price Of its ditch frc 100000
to S4ooooooo A number of objections the Panama
route which the commission itself brought up and urged IN
its report avorng the Nicaragua route are not DIS
posed of in report and the whole the matter IS
left in very unsatisfactory condition. The position has
heretofore been taken in this correspondence that the findings
Of the should be accepted final by the people
Of the United States but until the members OF that body
explain of the objections 70 the Panama route which
they themselves have pointed previously must be adj
the DYt
plicitly their judgment
The advocates Of the Nicaragua much encour-
aged by the that President Roosevelt anx
ious that canal bill Of be passed this session
Of congress They think that the presidents wishes will
have much if everything do with the influencing Of
the opinions Of certain that least these sena-
will put any obstacle the way Of canal legislation,
that they know how the president feels about the matter
The general impression is that Roosevelt has sized up the
situation very accurately lie is cognizant Of the efforts
which being made by the ransconnenal railroads and
he does not propose, time like this when every shrewd
political will for him. allow any Of his follow
become Identified inadvertently with any
prevent the passage of canal bill this session
OF course the members of the who would do what
they could block legislation might do it through the best
and highest hut the president foresccs that this
would be understood appreciated by the public and
that every who opposed the movement TO get bill
through would under the odun being Influenced by
the railroad people who wor who think they will--osc
money if an sthnau canal is constructed.
Getting back again the views OF the various member,
OF the commission may be stated that the senate commtc,
on ntcoccanc canals will probably attempt get to tn,
facts in tine matter by having each individual Of tn,
commission appear before it, II this is done the member.
vii! be questioned not only their individual views but
upon wide range OF points connection with the claim.
Of the two principal routes for the proposed canal.
One Of the outspoken advocates of the Panama
Senator Depew. Depew found time while in Paris
aelr 20 a.
offer Of the Panama company, and he has been talking
Panama route since his return The junior senator from
New York always taken seriously but this case it
likely that his having much do toward KILN,
the hopes Of the Nicaragua people the supplemental
report of the canal commission
Il am canal man well railroad man." Senator
Depew said the other day. when went to Paris recent,
waited upon by the counsel OF the new Panama Cana
company who asked would consent to meet the presi
dent and managing director OF the company and talk owe
their proposed offer sell the United States did 90
These gentlemen Convinced that the Panama nronert
could absolutely be transferred the United States an,
that the title would be perfectly clear looked into i
matter with II take the property we nee
have apprehension that litigation and complications he
tween the United States and the citizens OF France will
follow. Having been convinced OF this important fact
became Panama man
OF the inevitable story appeared during the cous
Of the senator's remarks 81 have something to do with III
great pro lens of construction he went on to say, ~
from business standpoint there be question tina
Fahaa IS vastly superior 10 Nicaragua because Panam
we know just where and what we have to do Yer
am grieved say that very eminent penten,e, 60
whom have great respect still for Nicaragua Thew re-
mind me Of very old story which you may pardon me 70
repeating Judge said the witness in court did saw tba
the horse sixteen feet highT You did RENTED IN
judge Well privately Judge, said the man. the horse wa
only sixteen hands high, but said sixteen feet ~
d stick 10 it, and sixteen feet it is
a C. ARrHuR WILLIAMS.
AS OTHERS SEE US.