The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1905-11-24
TRANS-|STHM|AM
CANAL PROJECT
Secretary Of War raft Talks 70 ST.
Louis Commercial Club About Il.
lust HOME FROM IsrHMus
The Canal win Se Bstis Despite the
Oppssisisn OF the Private 1sses-
este 81 These Weshtas -
Hamper u.


st. Louis, Nov. eo.-Hon. william II.
Taft. secretary Of war. who has Just
returned from an onicial inspection
trip to the isthmus Of Panama. vas the
guest OF homer 1t an elaborate ban
quet given by the COMMERCIAL club.
which was attended by upwards OF
100 Of the representative citizens Of S.
Louis.
Hon. Charles Nagci presided. and
with the exception OF q few words by
way OF introducing the guest. the lat
ter was the only speaker Of the oeca-
sion. The reretary's speech was .
carefully prepared effort. occupying an
hour and q half In delivery. The ad.
dress. which stands q practically an
Official document from headquarters In
Washington. was q studious resume OF
the work on the isthmus from the In
ccption OF tho project down to tho
present ilmc. Secretary Taft carried
the project through the congressional
stages, and spoke at length Of the del
ieate diplomacy which negotiated tho
control Of tho canal zone. and OF the
various steps taken In the administra-
tive department until the present or
ganlzatlon was perfected.
The following were among the more
striking points made by the secretary
10 his address:
The decision OF congress Ia favor Of
the Panama route for n canal was I'M
doubtcdly q wise Few engineer
who have visited Il have doubted the
possibility Of It's construction either as
4 lock or sea-,cyel canal. The Walker
commission Is entitled to the gratitude
OF the nation.
The theory advanced by the oppo
nonts OF the Panama route. and by tho
opponents OF any canal. that the route
OF the canal has not been finally dec!d'
ed upon. IL utterly ~unfounded.
The great question before the boars
is, Shall the canal be a ses-levcl or .
lock canal! II II Is TO be a lock canal.
as recommended by the Walker com.
mission. I think the president may
build the canal safely on the money
appropriated. without consulting con-
gress further a. to the type. II II Ia
20 he a sea-leyel canal. the question. II
seems TO me, for reasons already stat
cd. should he left to congress.
II has been held by tho attorney
general that the federal elght-hour law
applies 10 those employed by the canal
commission. was at hrst disposed to
think is effect would be good. because
We could have three shifts every "a
hours. am assured, however, by Mr..
Stevens and Gov. Magoon that Its en-
foroemcnt only interfercs with good
work.
II Is not 10 be expected that owners
aud managers Of great transcontincntal
lines should become enthusiastic over
an enterprise which. II carried to CON-
plctlon, must certainly affect the rates
OF freight between the Atlantic and Pa
clhc coasts.
Doubtless congressional inycstiga'
lions will be held from time 10 time.
Doubtless they ought TO be held. TO as
sure the public. But II they are to be
permitted to delay the work on the
canal and to paralyss the energy OF
those upon whom tue burden o. push.
Ing tho work must fali' ,hen they VIII
To productive OF eyl and will become
exactly what many private Interests
would be glad TO have them become
tho grave Of nll high hopes for a trans
isthm'an canal TIE American people
VIII not permit sueh a catastrophe
An executive order. putting n
Dingley tarin law In force In the none
against all tho world, Including Pana-
ma. caused much III feeling among the
Panamaians for a little while. but by
lf9 uhT0Nltl0n anal GtntT concessions
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