The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-16

Washington, June 16-In committee or
the whole yesterday the house by vote
OF 10 10 36. voted In favor OF lock canal
across the Isthmus or Panama, the
amendment to that effect being presented
by Representative Littauer OF New YORK.
Mr. Burton on Thursday gave notice
that when the item in the sundry civil Dill
was reached appropriating more than s2o'-
100000 for the Panama canal, ne woulu
ask for an hour TO express his views OH
the lock-leyel canal plan.
He prefaced his remarks by stating
that in the so-called Spooner law, author-
izing the expenditure OF sl&.oO.ooO Tor the
Panama canal and giving the president
the right TO inaugurate IL and carry IL %
a successful conclusion. the type was left
with the president. with certain specinca-
tions and limitations.
He went on 10 say that lately there had
been strong agitation for a sea-leVei ca :
nal. and he believed that the time hao
come when the question OF type should De
settled and the matter removed from the
domain o. controversy. Mr. Burton theh
argued:
SIT Is not fair to the executive officers
OF the government who have this great
enterprise in charge TO say 10 them WIN
one breadth, Proceed with the canal with
all the speed you may, and with aho'hsr
breath 70 say that We have not yet maoe
up onr minds what kind OF a cansl you
shall build II lis unjust 10 the subordl-
nates who have gone to the isthmus TO
give the best years OF their lives ana their
best EFFORTS TO hamper and embarrass
them by falling TO decide this question
In reply 10 a question by Mr.. Williams
MISS Mr.. Burton said that the neces
sary implication OF the Spooner act was
that lock canal was intended.
''In the consideration OF this subject
analogy OF the river and harbor appro-
nriations except that the direction OF con-
gress there is 10 the secretary or war. lie
is authorized 10 contract for certain
works provided the expense shall not ex-
ceed certain amounts.
Taking his position in front or the maps,
Mr.. Burton called attention TO the vital
difference between the two types and re-
marked that when the topography was
understood Il would be the very strongest
argument for the lock canal.
He said IL the banks would not cave, III
large boats could go through without run
ming against rocks at the sides and couiu
be properly steered, then a sea-level cana'
would be the enterprise which would be
naturally preferred.
"But such a canal. convenient for mod
ern shipping and for prospective shipping,
would, in the judgment OF those who nave
carefully studied the subject. cost s4oo.op,-
OoO and more and would exhaust 20 years
and more OF time in building" argued Mr..
Burton.
He said "a OF the ablest engineers OF the
world were for the lock canal, and he be-
lived their judgment should be accepted.
Asked how he would fortify the canal,
Mr.. Burton replied that II he had the or
dering of IT there would be not fort nor
a gun on the whole isthmus. He would
protect It wholly by neutrality, as the
Suez canal is protected. This statement
met with a round OF applause. When Mr..
Burton concluded he received an ovation.
Mr. Bartlett OF Georgia made point
egainst the amendment OF Mr.. Littauer,
Insisting that the amendment was clearly
new legislation.
Mr. Sullivan (Mass.) expressed a desire
20 hear the other side OF the question be-