Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-17
EFFORTS FOR HARMONY
RESULTLESS CAUCUS OF DEMO
CRATIC SENATORS.
Trying to Reach an Agreement on the
Isthmian Canal Quesion-No
Determination Reached.

The conference of democratic senators
| continued yesterday afternoon until
o'clock. No program of action on the 18TH
| milan canal question was agreed upon, and
at the close of the conference a leading
member of the Senate democratic steering
committee said that the minority party in
all probability would meet the question Of
canal legislation without organization of
any kind. and would act according to indi-
vidual opinions.
Four Propositions Submitted.
Four distinct propositions were submitted
in the form of resolutions, and many otEer
suggestions were made informally. but no
agreement could be reached, and the con-
ference adjourned to meet again on call of
Senator German, chairman. Several sena-
tors in leaving the conference bitterly COM
planned of the lack OF harmony which pre-
vailed and compared the democratic posi-
ton with the attitude Of the republicans,
who, they said, with twice as many repre-
sentatives hadn't q straggler, while hardly
two democrats were of the same opinion.
Senator German said of the caucus: 1t
was first poWwow, in which we all
talked, and we will do our thinking alter
ward"
The resolution which was discussed at
greatest length was offered by Senator Car
mack of Tennessee. 1t declared the sent-
ment of the democrats to be that the pres
ent canal law should be put into operation
by the President. The resolution declared
the Spooner act to be the present law
governing the authoritative course Of the
United States in regard to the building OF
canal, and held that under that act the
President should proceed to the building
of the canal on the Nicaragua and Costa
RIGA route. 1t asserted that the reason
able time for the acquiring of the Panama
route lapsed at the death of the Hay-Her
ran treaty, and that the President conse-
quently was left with no alternative hut to
build the canal on the more northerly 18TH
mian route.
In support of this resolution speeches
were made by Senators Carmack. Teller
Blackburn, Patterson and others. The
speeches were interrupted by senators diff
fering with the proposition, the principal
arguments being made by Senators Bacon,
Clay and Cockrell. 1t was apparent at the
outset that a motion of such radical char
acter could not harmonize the minority
Censure for the President for his alleged
assistance of the Panama revolt, but pledg-
ing support if canal treaty were nego-
tiated with the new republic, was the pur-
port of a resolution offered by Senator Ba-
con a substitute for the Carmack plan.
This opposite extreme met immediate re-
lection. 1t was at this point that some of
the senators withdrew from the caucus.
Compromise Plans.
Two compromise plans were suggested.
The first offered by Senator Newlands,
who proposed that the steering committee
be authorized to hold conference with
committee of democratic members of the
House to be appointed by Representative
John Sharpe Williams. the House minority
leader for the purpose of preparing some
party policy on all matters which Will come
before the Senate in the extraordinary ses-
sion. This resolution was antagonized on
the ground that the democrats of the House
already have adopted their program in rela-
ton to the Cuban reciprocity enabling act,
he
on the canal treaty could not affect the po-
sition of the Senate.
A proposal to authorize Senator German
to appoint a committee of five to devise a
program on which there would be at least
a fighting chance of united action was
made, and for time it appeared that
solution of the differences had been reach
ed.
Several senators left the caucus under the
IMPRESSION that this course would be adopt
ed but objection was raised by those demo-
Gratis who had supported Senator Car
mack's resolution and the conference then
adjourned,