Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-29
CANAL LEGISLATION HALTS
improbable that Present Session Of Congress
Will Pass New Law.
TYPE OF STRUCTURE IS IN DOUBT
Indications Are that President VIII
he Given Free Hand TO Garry
out His ideas at
Present.

WASHINGTON, March &.TCanal legis-
lation at the present session OF congress
is regarded as extremely improbable, even
by the members OF the senate committee
which, for two months, has been meeting
nearly every day to investigate conditions
on the isthmus OF Panama and to pre-
pare itself to report a bill. Several weeks
ago It was decided to postpone, temporarily,
the investigation of criticisms that had
been made against the management Of
canal affairs and to devote the time to
the discussion OF the type of canal to be
constructed. The committee is divided on
this subject and there is no indication
that the testimony taken has tended to-
ward harmonizing the views Of the MEM
bers.
Advocates OF the lock canal proposed
by the minority OF the board OF consulting
engineers are apparently confident that
this plan will he followed. They have
pointed out that IL no agreement is reached
by congress the president. in his message
transmitting the two reports OF the board.
has given notice that the administration
will proceed with the construction Of the
lock canal
Engineers Not Unanimous.
Engineers who have been before the
senate committee have not agreed as to
the feasibility of constructing at Gatun the
flight of three locks proposed by the
minority plans and on this has hinged in
large part the examination of the en-
gineers. All of the advocates Of the sea
level project were outspoken against the
safety OF the locks at that point, but the
friends of the minority plan have been
greatly encouraged by cablegram 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 Il is proposed TO build these locks
is not long enough to provide for three
locks with useable lengths of 300 feet was
cabled to Mr.. Stevens. He took steps to
refute the statements and notified the canal
commission to deny the testimony upon his
authority. Adovates 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.
witnesses Not Agreed.
The witnesses who have testified before
the committee have been about evenly
divided, as to the type OF canal The next
witness will be General Davis formerly
member Of the canal commission. and gov
ernor OF the canal zone. Secretary Taft
will appear some time next week.
In view Of the fact that the house COM
mittee on interstate and foreign commerce
is not inclined to accept the testimony
taken by the senate committee it is be-
lieved 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 con-
gress 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 in which event the lock level
type would be adopted.
1t is generally believed that the senti-
ment 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 a canal bill is not agreed upon.