Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-11
RAILROADS AND THE CANAL.

Not many will agree with Mr.. Yeo-
mans former member Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission, in the opinion
that the Panama canal will never be
built. but a considerable number will be
lleve his statement that tie transcon-
tinental railroads are unfriendly to the
enterprise, though there is probably no
substantial ground for the view that
they control the situation. Mr. YeO-
mans is doubtless in error in asserting
that the railroads Influenced the adop-
ton Of the Panama route, because they
believed that It would be more difficult
and take longer 10 build than one at
Nicaragua. There were several very
strong reasons for giving preference to
the Panama route and the notion that
the railroads had anything to do with
the adoption Of that route has, we be-
lieve, nothing to support it.
IL is doubtless quite natural that the
transcontinental railroads should not
favor an isthmian canal, but there is no
evidence that they are doing or attempt
ing to do anything to interfere with the
undertaking. II is difficult to see what
they could do II disposed TO actively
antagonize the project. The govern
ment has paid for the canal franchise
and for the territory embraced in the
canal zone. Congress has made provi-
sion for carrying on the work and has
given the necessary authority TO the
president Of the United States to go on
with the undertaking as vigorously as
possible. over $5OOOO,O00 have been
expended thus far by the government
Neither railroad nor any other influence
will now be allowed to interfere with
the enterprise. The canal will be con
structed, though perhaps the work will
take longer time and cost more money
than has been estimated. When the
United States government takes hold OF
an enterprise It carries 1t through. In
| this case we have given assurance to the
to commerce, shall be constructed and
the promise will be fulfilled, at what
ever cost. No congress will refuse any
| Legislation which may be found neces-
sary to accomplish this. The American
people will approve any action that may
be required for the prosecution to com
pletion of this vast undertaking. Cir
cumstances may arise to cause delay.
This Is to be expected, but there is no
reason to apprehend any trouble from
railroad influence.
Il is pertinent in this connection to
note the report that the administration
of officers connected with the construc-
ton OF the Panama canal may be trans
ferred from the War TO the State De
partment. An Oyster Bay dispatch Of
a few days ago stated that the matter
of the transfer was under consideration
by the president and It was known that
Secretary Taft would be quite willing to
be relieved of the responsibility attend.
ant upon the direction of the canal
affairs. There is no doubt that at pres
ent the duties Of the secretary of war
are somewhat onerous and the new sec
rotary Of state, Mr.. Root. will undoubt.
edly be quite willing to have the super.
vision Of canal affairs placed in his
hands. II is noted that Mr.. Root is
deeply interested in the canal work and
already has devoted considerable
thought to It. There is no lack of in.
terest and zeal regarding the great en-,
terprise on the part of the administra.
ton and it is safe to say that 1t will be
pushed with all possible vigor.