Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-29
Likely to Occupy Attention of
Of Congress Without Result
ing in Legislation
HEARINGS LONG DRAWN OUT
Non-Action Also Due to the Continued
Debate on the Rate Regulation Bill
House Committee May Conduct a
Hearing of lts own-Washinston
News.

Washington, March 29.-The Pana-
ma canal is dragging its weary length
along-not across the isthmus, but in
the hearings before the senate commit
tee on interoceanic canals-and it now
seems probable that it will continue to
occupy attention without any resulting
legislation at the present session of
congress.
congress the president and the canal
commission will be left free to act ac-
cording to their own judgment, and
this would insure the adoption of the
lock plan of canal. In transmitting
to congress the divided report of the
commission, President Roosevelt gave
notice that the administration intended
to proceed with the construction of a
lock canal, and for that reason the
committee friends of that type of wa
ter way across the isthmus have not
been anxious to force speedy agree
ment.
/ Rate Bill in Way.
Further reason for probable monaco
ton lies in the fact that the railroad
rate bill will occupy the attention of
the senate for an indefinite period, and
when that measure is out of the way
it will be time to think of adjournment
Should the canal come along as the or
der of unfinished business after rate
legislation is disposed OF, no one could
tell how much time might be required
for its consideration.
Furthermore, the house committee
on interstate and foreign commerce.
which has to deal with canal questions,
ds understood to be averse to accepting
the voluminous testimony taken by the
senate committee, in consequence of
which the house would not be ready for
several weeks to give attention to this
legislation.
In the meantime the senate commit
tee will keep on with its Investigation
bearing on the type Of canal just the
same. Chief Engineer Stevens, by re-
futing, after a personal investigation,
the statements of advocates Of the
sea-level plan that there is not room
enough in the hill where it is proposed
to build the Gatun locks, three in num-
Der, has given the supporters of the
lock plan great encouragement. They
declared yesterday that Mr.. Stevens
having examined the site since,o the
adverse testimony was presented to
the committee, is in the best position
to take a positive stand.
Worried by Insurance.
There will be a feeling of great relief
in the inner circles of the republican
national committee when the agitation
over the campaign contributions of the
big insurance companies reaches some
sort Of settlement. District Attorney
Jerome's somewhat ffeakish activity
is keeping Postmaster General Cortel-
you, chairman of the national COM
mittee, in an uncomfortable state of
suspense, altho it is declared the latter
has no extensive fears that under any
circumstances will he be subjected to
anything worse than the general UNI
pleasantness of the situation. 1t is
the political possibilities rather than
the chance Of criminal prosecution that
worry, and the reasons are apparent
why the republican managers want
the agitation to subside before another
campaign makes it's close approach.
y 1T is understood well enough that
Mr. Cortelyou would have resigned the
craftsmanship of the national commit
tee before this had it not been for the
disclosures in connection with the In
surance investigation in New York
and this would have subjected him to
the criticism of quitting under fire.