New-York tribune., 1907-08-28
TAWNET ON CANAL CASH.
Head of appropriations Committee
Writes on Panama Funds

Washington Aug. Elm letter TO Robert Shaw
Oliver Acting Secretary OF War. made public to-
day Representative James A Taunsy- Of Mime
sofa. chairman of the House Cornnitree APP
preparations resents what he regards the i'm
putation by Chairman GoAthals Of the Isthnian
Canal commission and Attorney General Bona
par.e tha. Congress had failed 70 appropriate suf-
fcient money to carry on the work of digging ths
Panama Canal TO Tire full capacity Of the force en-
the isthn1us
Mr. Tawney said he was greatly surprised by tbs
statement Colonel CIoethals that consequences
Of the appropriations being inadequate 20 meet ex-
pendtures il had become necessary 20 lay of thou
sands of men, and even more surprised by a re-
ported opinion BY the Attorney General tnat undef
an amendment the urgent deficiency approprta-
ton eighteen months ago the canal appropria-
ton must be apportioned 10 certain periods. which
apportionment could not be waived or modined
except upon the happening of some extraordinary
emergency unusual circumstance which could
not be anticipated the time cf making such ap-
portionment." Mr. Tawney said
If the Attorney General has given an opinion
10 this effect it is evident that the opinion was
given without carefully reading the section re-
ferred TO The appropriations for the canal exc
pendtures for the fiscal year 19oss were made N
accordance with estimates submitted py the is'h-
rnian Canal Commission through the secretary oA
War and with the exception of the amount esti-
mated for administrative purposes Of the cana
zone government the appropriations are eqlai N
amount to estimates submitted IT, tnereioro.
this section lid appy the canal expenditures the
Committee on Appropriations in the last Congress
is in no way responsible for the fact that the ao-
propriatons for labor and equipment are MADE
quate
Mr. Tawney insisted that the canal appropr'a-
rion fell within the excepted class IN that the CON-
struction of the canal was authorized by law ana
the limit of cost fixed The canal appropriations
are excepted from the provision OF law reanir-
ing the apporticnnent of expenditures 10 certain
periods. Mr. Tawney argued for the reason that
tbs annropriarions made for this fiscal year are not
only within but far below the limit of cost hxed
by law.
II uro1Id suggest" he added. that Colonel
CoethaIs be advised to continue the work as ne mas
been doing regardless Of any apporrionnent thdt
has bean made OF the appropriations for canai eA-
pendftures The appropriations for LABOR anu
en1Iiprnent will certainly be adequate 10 meet '
requirements of the work as he desires 10 csiis =
-, until Congress- convenes next December ne can
then submit with his estimates the a0"-'
aroorn4 necessary 10 continue the work for tne re-
,,aindsr of this fiscal year, and there VIII oe II"
ouss-fon about Congress making the ad0ltlohai ap
r-on-ia+ion nor will there be any quesuoh
a,,sr Of any one having violated the sec'ioh VI '
statutes referred 10. for even a laynan WIN 20 p.
teal common sense can see upon careiA 80 -
ing OF the section. that II oo0S -O' ff-'
priations OF this kind
y. ;s sata ar me War Department that prooaoy
~, Tau-nev is under a misrepresentation as 70 tne
80 "a, Colonel Goethals has never sought %
-. ,,no, Congress any blame for the present
go Of affairs but explicitly stated that II hau
-, Through the unexpected progress maze m
-. 7,r. Of construction Also II IS SAID tA' 10
ATTORNEY General has not rendered any OpiiiiOA' ~
subject