The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-10
A NATIONAL MEASURE
The Bill to Protect the President
Passes the House.
CANAL BILL TAKEN UP BY THE SENATE
Mr.. Harris Of Kansas, AN Engineer Of R,cogniz-
ed Ably, Favors the Nicaragua Route
Holding That it is Entirely
Feas bic,
FeaS bic.
CBy the Associated Press.)

Washington, June 9.-hn interesting
contribution to the discussion of the
Isthmian canal project was made in the
Senate today by Mr. Harris, of Kansas,
a member of the committee on Inter
oceanic Canals. who is also an engineer
of recognized ability. His discussion of
the technical details of canal construction
was listened to with profound attention.
He strongly advocated the selection of
the Nicaragua route. He maintained
that it was entirely feasible and practi-
cable from an engineering standpoint
and said that some of the difficulties
presented by the Panama route were in
superabIe-notably the construction of
the BOhio dam.
During the early part of the session
the Naval Appropriation Bill was con-
sidere1. All of the committee amend
ments were disposed of except that re-
laJing to the construction of two addi-
tional battleships, two cruisers and two
gunboats.
Mr. Simmons, of North Carolina. ad-
dressed the Senate in support of the bill
for The establishment of a national for
est reserve IN the Southern Appalachian
reserves had been established in the
United States, none of them east of the
Mississippi river. He said the estab-
Iishment of the ten forest reserves in
the West was made from the public do
main while cash would have to be paid
for this proposed reserve. He did not
believe, however, that there was any
difference between appropriating cash
from the treasury and appropriating prop
erty Of the Government
Mr.. Simmons said it had been sug-
gested that there might be some Job in
the pending bill This ne knew was not
true and there was 20 foundation in fact
fer the suggestion. he measure was
essentially natiolal in character and it
was advocated as a national proposition.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Simmons
speech consideration was begun of the
Naval Appropriation Bill.
a committee amendment was offered
by Mr.. Hale arl adopted appropriating
1890 fer the construction Of build
ings at the CHARLESTON. S. c., navy yard.
The naval bill was laid aside and Mr..
Harris addressed the Senate on the
Isthmian canal project.
Mr.. Tllman inquired how the lands
necessary for the Nicaragua route were
TO be obtained if they were owned by
private individuals. the Government
to be subjected to such private claims?'
he asked. In other words, have Ameri-.
cars gone down there and fixed up
things so that we will have to pay mil
lions and millions of dollars for the right
OF way?"
THE treaty with Nicaragua" Mr.
Harris replied provides for a condem-
nation Of the lands where private rights
are involved
Mr CulbersOn, of Texas, inquired how
much would have to be paid by the
United States for private rights along
the canal.
Mr. Harris replied that, so far as he
knew, no data upon that subject had
been prepared and no estimate made.
In response to suggestion by Mr.
Tillman that the United States was like
ly to be mulcted of millions of dollars
Mr.. Morgan interrupted to say that by
an arrangement with the Nicaragua
Government, in the event of the adop-
tion Of the Nicaraguan route all acqui-
sition Of land by the United States would
date back to the conditions which pre-
vailed in December 1900. That would
preclude absolutely speculation in the
land along the route.
Mr.. Tillman again expressed his ap-
prehension that spectators had obtained
or would obtain title to lands shat would
be necessary to the United States if the
Nicaragua route were selected. He was
afraid these claims would spring up in
the pathway of the Shited States with
hands Outstretched toward the Treasury
with the demand TO stand and deliver"
MIR. Harris replied that in view of the
diplomatic arrangements between the
United States and Nicaragua no such
apprehension as that suggested was war
rantcd. although, in a project of this
Kind and this magnitude it was impos-
sibie, perhaps, to guard absolutely
against frauds of the kind suggested
Mr. Morgan discussed briefly the
diplomatic negotiations between the
United States and the Governments of
Nicaragua and Costa Rica to show that
neither Nicaragua nor Costa Rica could
have claims against this Government
through the old Maritime Canal Com
pany. He pointed out that it was
through the wisdom and foresight of
William Mckinley that the United
States had acquired the exclusive right to