The Paducah sun., 1906-03-29
Congress Not Disposed to Take
Action in Matter.
The Disposition Is TO Leave the Mat
ter Entirely to the Presi-
dent
HIS VIEWS ARE WELL KNOWN.

Washington. March 29.-Cana,
legislation at the present session OF
congress is regarded as extremely
improbable. even by members of the
senate committee, which for two
mcnths has been meeting nearly ev-
cry day TO Investigate the conditions
on the Isthmus of Panama ana pre-
pare itsglf to report a bill. Several
weeks ago It was decided to post
pone. temporarily, the investigation
OF criticisms that had been made
against the management of canal af-
fairs, and to devote the time to a dis
cussion of the type os canal to be
constructed. The committee is di-
vided on this subject, and there is
no indication that the witnesses call
ed and the testimony taken have
tended toward harmonizing the views
Of the members.
Advocates of the lock level canal,
proposed by the minority os the board
OF consulting engineers. are appar-
emily confident that this plan viii be
followed They have pointed out
that IL no agreement is reached by
congress. the president, in his mes
sage, transmitting the two reports
of the board, has given notice that
the administration will proceed with
the construction of the lock canal.
Engineers who have been before
the senate committee have not agreed
as to the feasibility of constructing
at Gatun the fight of three locks
proposed by the minority plans. and
on this has hinged, in large part, the
examination of the engineers. All
of the advocates of the sea level
project were outspoken against the
safety of the locks at this point. but
the friends of the minority plan have
been greatly encouraged by a cable
gram from Chief Engineer Stevens,
declaring that there could be no
doubt concerning the success of the
Gatun locks. The testimony given
by Engineers Bates. Burr and others.
to the effect that the Hill in which It
is purposed to build these locks is
not long enough TO oiproylde for three
locks, with usable lengths of 900
feet. was cabled to Mr.. Stevens. He
took steps to refute the statements,
and notified the canal commission to
deny the testimony upon his author
ity.
Advocates of the lock canal de-
clared today that. In view of the fact
that Mr.. Stevens had examined the
site since the testimony was given,
he is in the best position to take a
positive stand.
The witnesses who have testified
before the commission have been
about evenly divided as to the type
of canal. The next witness will be
Gen. Davis, formerly a member of
the canal commission and governor
of the canal zone. Secretary Taft
will appear some time next week.
In view of the fact that the house
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce is not inclined to accept
the testimony taken by the senate
committee. ii is believed that the
house will not be ready for several
weeks to take up canal legislation.
This adds to the probability that
very little will be done at the present
session of congress. and that the
president and the canal commission
will be left free to exercise their own
judgment as to the type of canal to
be built.
1t is generally believed that the
sentiment in congress is largely in
favor of building the waterway by
contract. 1t has been suggested that
congress, by joint resolution, may
take action in this regard II canal
bill is not agreed upon.