Evening star., 1907-08-28
MONEY FOR CANAL DIGGING
NO LIMIT FIXED UPON THE AN
NuAL EXPENDITURE.
Chairman Tawney Says That Col.
Goethals May Proceed With the
Work as Rapidly as He Wishes.

In letter to Acting Secretary of War
oliver, Representative James A. Tawney
of Minnesota, chairman Of the House COM
| mittee on appropriations. resents what he
regards as the imputation by Chairman
Goethals of the isthmian canal commission
and Attorney General Bonaparte that Con-
gress had failed to appropriate sufficient
| money to carry on the work of digging the
Panama canal to the full capacity Of the
force on the isthmus. Mr.. Tawney says
he was greatly surprised at the statement
of Col Goethals that. in consequence Of the
appropriations being inadequate to meet
expenditures. it had become necessary to
lay off thousands of men, and even more
| surprised at the opinion by the Attorney
General that under an amendment of law
in the urgent deficiency appropriation act
eighteen months ago the canal appropria-
tion must be apportioned to certain periods,
which apportionment could mot be waived
or modified except upon the happening OF
some extraordinary emergency or unusual
circumstance which could not be antfci-
pated at the time of making such appor-
tionment." Concerning this opinion Mr..
| Tawney says:
Language Of the Act.
IF the Attorney General has given an
| opinion to this effect it is evident that the
opinion was given without carefully read
| ing the section referred to. The appro-
priations for the canal expenditures for
| the fiscal year 1893 were made in accord
| ance with estimates submitted by the
| ist hmian canal commission through the Sec
| retary of War, and with the exception OF
| the amount estimated for the adminiStra-
| tive purposes of the canal zone government
| the appropriations are equal in amount to
| the estimates submitted. If, therefore this
| the committee on appropriations in the last
Congress is in no way responsible for the
fact that the appropriations for labor and
| equipment are inadequate"
Continuing Mr.. Tawney took issue with
| the Attorney General and insisted that the
canal appropriat atiOns fell within the ex-
cepted class in that the construction OF
| the canal was authorized by law and the
| limit of cost fixed. The canal appropria-
| ton is excepted from the provision OF law
| requiring the apportionment of expendi-
| lures to certain periods, Mr.. Tawney ar
gued for the reason that the appropria-
| only within but far below the limit of cost
| fixed by law Mr.. Tawney said further:
Urges Prosecution of the Work.
| Being the author of this section as
| amended. / am familiar with its purpose
| ;.nd it's intent. l. therefore, know that it
| was not intended to apply to appropra-
| tions made for the purpose of carrying
| on work in progress and authorized
| by law where the limit of cost had pre-
! ViouSly been liked Dy congress Woulo,
| therefore. suggest that Col. Goethals be
! advised to continue tn. work as he has
4 bt en- doing regardless OF any apportion-
| ment that has been made OF taa appropria-
| tions for canal expenditures. The apnro-
! priations for labor and equipment Will c !
| tainly be adequate to meet the requirements
of the work as he desires to carry it on
| until Congress convenes next December.
| He can then submit with his estimates the
| additional amount necessary to continue
the work for the remainder of this fiscal
| year and there will be no question about
Congress making the additional appropria-
| ton nor will there be any question what
| ever of any one having violated the section
| of the statutes referred to. for even q
| Iayman. with practical common sense. can
| see upon a careful reading of the section.
| that il does not apply to appropriations of
| this kind ,
! II Is said at the War Department that
| probably Mr.. Tawney IS under a misap-
! prehension as to the facts. for Col. Goethals
! has never sought to place upon Congress
| any blame for the present state or AFFAIRS
! but explicitly stated that II had arisen
| through the unexpected progress made IN
/ the work of construction. Also 1t Is said
| that the Attorney General has not rendered
/ any opinion on the subject.