New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1907-02-13
Want $25,OOO,OOO
FOR Canal WORK
SECRETARY TAFT EXPLAINS THE
NEED TO THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE.
Big Sum for Equipment -Appropria-
ton Necessary Regardless of
Whether Digging Is Done by Con-
tract or Not-Doings of Congress.

ton Necessary HegafdleSS OF
Whether Digging Is Done by Con-
tract or Not-Doinqs of Congress.
Washington, Feb. o.. Secretary Taft
appeared before the house committee
on appropriations Friday to explain
the appropriation Of $25 100000 which
the isthmian canal commission has
asked to have included in the civil
sundry appropriation bill, now under
consideration. The secretary of war
was accompanied by Chairman T. P.
Shonts, of the isthmian canal commits
sion; D. w. Ross, the canal purchasing
agent; j. B. Bishop. secretary to the
commission, and R. R. Rogers, general
counsel to the commission.
Much of the general discussion be-
posed canal contract and Secretary
Taft expressed the opinion that the
public generally prefers the contract
system, as it believes the government
can do work cheaper in that manner
However, the appropriation for the
canal will not be affected through the
failure to grant contract, as the pro-
vision has been made in the bill that
the money is to be available for canal
work regardless of whether the gov
eminent does the work itself or lets
it out to a contractor.
The proposed appropriation is de-
sired chiefly for the completion of the
on, 40 icf1 Il fh0
government proposes furnishing the
equipment to any contractor, it was
explained by the canal officials that
the allowances for this purpose should
be liberal
Many Pension Bills Passed.
A new high record in the way of the
passage of private pension bills was
made by the house Friday when 725
bills were passed in an hour and a
half.
The naval appropriation bill carry
ing $95,426,O0O was taken up and I'M
der the order Of general debate,
speeches were made by Mr.. Lamar of
Florida on the railroad rate BILL" Mr..
Higgins of Connecticut favoring the
creation of the White, Mountain and
Appalachian forest reserves and Mr..
Mondell OF Wyoming on the ''limita-
tons Of federal authority" and the
withdrawal of coal lands from entry.
Passes indian Bill.
The senate Friday passed the In
dian appropriation bill, which has
been the subject of consideration
throughout the week. Senator Frazier
made an address on the subject of
states rights, after which the army
appropriation bill, carrying total of
$S1, 100000, was taken up. The army
measure was partly read for approval
of committee amendments and adj
jOurnment was taken shortly before
six o'clock when it became apparent
that considerable debate was to be oc-
casiOned by an amendment to permit
the government to receive reduced
portation of troops and supplies for
the army, and to allow army officers
and their families to accept free trans
portation. The adoption of this
amendment would be a modification
of the railroad rate bill passed at the
last session of congress.
River Bill Is Passed.
Washington, Feb. S.-The house
Thursday completed and passed the
| river and harbor appropriation bill,
carrying more than $S3,000,000, with
| sundry amendments, all of which were
suggested by the chairman of the
| committee, Mr.. Burton, of Ohio
Among the important amendments
adopted were:
! To construct dam No. 8 and com
! plete dam No. 2 in Allegheny river
| 1886 200, being an increase of $35, 900
Improving Bay Ridge and Red
Hook channels of New York, the sec
rotary of war being authorized in his
| discretion to prosecute the improve
| ment in said channels with view tc
obtaining first a depth of IS feet and
subsequently increasing it ito the
full depth allowed in the adopted
project as the available depth in the
entrance to said harbor shall re
/ quire."
For continuing the improvement an6
| for the maintenance of the Chicago
| river, 100000, being an increase Of
/ $1SO,O0O.
Calumet River Project.
The paragraph in relation to the
Calumet river, Illinois and Indiana
was amended SO as to authorize the
secretary of war to enter into a con
tract to complete the project, fo1
/ which $191,5O0 is appropriated. The
aggregate cost is limited to $4,000
exclusive of the amounts heretofore
appropriated.
/ A survey of the Missouri river wa!
authorized from it's mouth to Siou,
i City; also a survey of the Savannah
I river, Georgia, for 80 miles belaw Au
i gusta.
/ A bill amending the denatured al
/ cohOl bill was asked.
The naval annronriati0n hill wa