Evening journal., 1905-11-23
CONGRESS To HAVE
IBUSY SESSION
Panama Canal, Isle of Pines
Difficulty and Other Mat
tiers to Come Up
FEN OF THE WINTERS TROUBLES
IN wnlIam Moln smIth.


bub~ SO to speak The building Of an
inter-oceanic canal has long been
matter of concern to the country. IL
was agitated off and on for three
quarters of century before anything
definite was done. At last the way
seemed clear. Congress and the Presi-
dent acted; the location of the canal
was decided-that is the Nicaragua
scheme was made to give way before
that of Panama; money was appropri-
ated. the French bought out Panama
placated. and with a mighty flourish OF
trumpets 1t was announced that the
work of putting the ''big ditch into
working order would begin at once
A very large commission was appoint
ed to look after affairs engineers were
selected. and the money began to flow
outward. that is out OF the treasury.
Things looked lovely and the ultra
optimists would have il that the canal
would be completed by the time MT
Roosevelt was ready to lay down the
cares Of office.
Then a gradual change began to creep
over the dreams OF the statesmen,
editors and optimistic correspondents,
and rumors went abroad that all was
not as harmonious as it might be in
canal matters. Nobody appeared to
know just what was doing. just what
ought to be done, Just when IL should
be done or just how it should be work
ed out. A. "new deal' il not q Square
deal" was called for and the ever ready
President assumed the burden, reorgan-
ized the Commission. reduced it mater
sally IN numbers. and very materially
in efficiency. and once more optimism
was triumphant. TO build a canal was
not enough for Mr. Roosevelt he want
ed the best canal that was possible
constructed. He wanted the best re-
Suits and that there might be no
question as to the ultimate securing
of the best results he wisely deter
mined not to leave the problem as to
the kind OF a canal to one or two per-
SONS. so ne determined to get the ag-
gregated engineering wisdom OF the
world to work out the solution for him.
Every friend OF the canal and every
friend OF the President at once ad-
mitted that this was another OF those
sudden strokes of wisdom for which he
has become famous. The world knows
how he requested several Of the gov
crnments of Europe TO select their most
eminent engineer and send him 90 this
country to consult and report as to the
feasibility Of the canal. and whether it
should be "sca-leVel" "low-lock" or
"hlgh-lock' To cooperate with the
distinguished foreigners several of the
most eminent skilled engineers OF this
country We're selected
High salaries We're paid TO an. and
large sums allowed for expenses. and
q most thorough and painstakng ex-
animation of the whole subject was
entered upon. AS this commission OF
engineers was about TO conclude SIS
labors report went forth that the ma
Jority had decided in favor OF sea-
level canal. and Immediately on the
heels Of that rumor came another that
the President was very angry because
The commission had not decided In
favor Of a lock system. All this is
very funny TO the people. The Prcsi-
Gent is not an engineer, makes no pro-
fession 10 engineering knowledge or
skill; ne called together the most emil
nent mon of that class i'm the world.
and now becomes angry because those
skilled men do not agree with the un-
skilled President.
one'of the engineers favoring the sea-
level canal is reported to have defended
the position OF himself and his associ-
y tes something after this manner. "We
we. e caNled together TO give our views
as.1>O The system and kind of "a canal
ahaf should be constructed. The canal
caunOl be built in a day, nor should it
he hum for day. but for all time.
A lock q anal might do for the present
ana could be constructed I'm a shorter
time than a sea-level canal. but i'm
view OF the fact that it is expected the
canal is to So and while the world lasts
ana the seas navigate, the length of
time used IN tine work Is of but little
moment. compared with tine great
utility and bereeht to the commerce of
fhe world. Of the sea level"
Thus 81 is easily seen that we are
not IN sight OF the end yet Of this
canal problem; the engineers must
MAKE their report to the Commission,
the Commission must pass upon 1t and
then. submit it to the President, who.
I'm turn must pass upon il and submit
to Congress. where, ostensibly the mat
ter must finally be decided, hut who can
W Congress may say 'sea-level''
teh ',e longer time for building, and
and Z. dent may stick to shorter time
the Pres. system, for he is "a pretty
and a LOCK
stubborn man. the trouble the canal
This is not Al congress gets to-
is to face when A. mount of money
gether. A very large e 7me Congress
has been expended, and 5. that any
men seem 10 be unable 60 He, Justify
thing has been accomplished h stin
the large expenditure, and they -.
insist. so Il is said. on an eXplahatlp.
And then just on the heels of an this
bobs rup the question OF salaries paid
to those having in hand the mechanical
and Office management of the under
taking. Digging a canal is to prove a
costly undertaking. and while the job
may last for a number OF years it viii
not last forever. hence il is absolutely
necessary that salaries should be larger
than they would be IN case the posi-
tion was for a life tenure. but still some
OF the Congressman cannot see il in
that light. Among the employees In the
Office Of the Commission are a secre-
tary. an auditor and press agent.
the duties of this latter being to furnish
10 the public the Information concern
ing the great enterprise that the Com
mission decides should be given out.
A Congressman receives $4,000 a year.
the press agent OF the Commission is
made to rank so FAR as salary goes
with a Congressman. while the score
tary and auditor Of the Commission
are worth two ressmen-perish the
thought. Mr. Taft IS d member Of the
Presidents Cabinet. and as such is
charged with the responsibility of COM