The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-24
CONGRESS ABOUT
To TAKE CANAL
-: FROM PRESIDENT
Roosevelt Himself Not I'm.
willing to Be Freed From
the Responsibility.
Senate Is Likely to Confirm
Most of the Canal
Commissioners.
When It Comes to Bishop
There Will Probably
Be a Clash.
Spooner Act to Be Amended.
Is the Present Pos
sibility.
Full Accounting for Every
Expenditure Is to Be
Required.
BY w. w. Jermane.

w apart from the question wheth s
er substantial progress has been
made in the construction of the Panama
canal is the issue which has been raised
as to the respective rights Of President
Roosevelt and congress SO far as Ger.
tain details Of this great national en-
ferprise are concerned.
On the first day Of the present ses.
sion of congress bill was introduced
providing for an appropriation of $I6.,
boo,O0O for the canal. This bill was
discussed with. the usual candor and
vigor in both houses. The opinion was
expressed that appropriations ought not
to be made except for well defined pur-
poses, and complaint was made of the
vagueness Of the items for which con-
gress was asked to appropriate $16,-
800 900.
The consequence is that the senate
and house have reduced the appropria-
ton to 100000 and this was done
with the consent and approval Of the
republican majority in both branches.
VI I'LL! ACCOUNTING.
There Is no partizan opposition in
congress to the canal, which is worth
consideration, but the consensus of
opinion among all parties seems to be
hat while this stupendous undertaking
'ught to be carried out, there should be
10 extravaganza, no recklessness, but a
prompt and honest accounting for every
lollar that is expended on the canal.
The action Of congress on the emerg
ncy canal appropriation is interpreted
indicating the existence of critical
nut not captious, spirit on the part OF
he majority. Not only has this feeling
cen manifested in respect to funds fol
he canal, but also, as the public is
ware, in regard to the personnel of
he canal commission. A few months
60 President Roosevelt remodeled the
Walker commission. That the remodele6
commission, with T. F. Shonts as chair
ian, will be confirmed by the senate is
OF assured, altho it is probable that
most of its members will be.
Senate on the Personnel.
There was an illuminating debate il
lie senate Wednesday when the subject
as under consideration. Last Sat
rday the senate confirmed the nomina
ons of six commissioners. On Wednes
-~ly, however, the president nominated
)seph R. Bishop as commissioner a
salary of $4,000 year, $500 for hi
rvices as commissioner and $4,000 TO
ork as secretary. Mr.. Bishop had pre-
ously been acting as "press agent
the commission and had been the sub
/ ct of warm debates in both branche
congress: ........... ... ..
4 Neither senators nor representative
4 ought the United States government
ould employ press AGENT for tn
nal and spoke their minds very freel,
I this point.
When, therefore, the senate receive,
e nomination of the former "pres
i :ent'' to be commissioner, with add
\ )nal compensation for other work t
rformed by him, it turned against tn
esident. Senator Morgan moved tina
e senate rescind its action in confirm
g six commissioners last Saturday
formal objection from one senate
q --Aone would have defeated the motion
It no senator entered such an objec
4 III, and the previous confirmation o
commission was recalled. 49,.
The Public's Interest.
It would not be in harmony with tn
Its to assert that the differences be
4 cen the senate and the president cor
fl N them alone. The public, which vii
taxed to pay for the construction 0
=, >, canal. has a vital interest in the pei
mel of the commission.
In recalling the confirmation OF tn
i nmissioners the senate has opene
Continued on Cd Page. 4th Column.