The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-05
SEA LEVEL. CANAL
IS BETTER PLAN
Senators CuIberSon and Teller
Use Their Hammers
CANAL PLANS CRITICISED
Senator Teller Believes That Present
Plans for the Canal viii Prove
Inadequate for Commerce
In Short While.

Washington, February 4-The Senate
today passed the urgent deficiency bill,
carrying an appropriation of over $4,000
OOO The large deficiency appropriation
for the navy brought out considerable
discussion of the subject of executive de-
partments making expenditures not pro-
vded for in the appropriations.
Deficiency appropriations for the Pan
anna canal gave rise to democratic criti-
cism of the publication of paper by
the canal commission at Panama, and
n cidentally Senator Teller declared that
he believed the lock canal at Panama
would some day be declared failure and
that sea level canal would take its
place.
The Senate devoted two hours to con-
sideration of the criminal code bill and
at APO p. m. adjourned.
Canal Appropriation.
The deficiency appropriation of Sl2. u.s.
900 for the Panama canal contained in
the urgent deficiency appropriation bill
provoked a general discussion in the Sem
ate today concerning the publishing of %
newspaper on the isthmus by Secretary
Bishop giving information on canal af-
fairs and brought out much comment on
the canal project. The Culberson amend
ment, that no part of the money ap-
propriated for DEFICIENCIES should be used
for the purpose of publishing news
paper in the canal zone, was disagreed to.
Mr. Culberson asked whether the def
cheney provided for the canal was made
up in part by the cost of this newspaper.
Mr. Hale replied that he had no doubt
| that that was one item of expense in
cluded in the total amount.
The incidents connected with the en-
ployment of Mr.. Bishop in sending out
| information to newspapers was referred
to by senator's. and Mr.. Hale declared
| that he had had been opposed to that
proceeding. He added that he had seen
no evidence of such work from the pres
ent publication. He understood the paper
contained only a record of information on
canal matters and that it Is desired to
srread among the employees. He had eX-
amined several copies of it and had seen
nothing Objectionable. Formerly he said
editorial matter had been sent out, but
he believed nothing of the kind exists
low.
Culberson's Criticism.
Mr. Culberson said the official who
edits the paper at Panama is the same
one who carried the propaganda COM
planned of formerly. 'He has simply"
he said. "been shifted from the United
States to Panama"
Senator Teller spoke of the general
canal project and said he regretted that
a sea level canal had been abandoned
Il wish to put myself on record he
said, lin saying that in my judgement
the lock canal will be an absolute failure
and will not meet the demands of the
commerce..
Mr. Teller said that estimating for a
lock canal is fraught with great uncer-
tainty. although a sea level canal can be
estimated upon accurately He had, he
said. noticed now it is suggested that the
locks are to be enlarged.
IF the right men had had control of
| the canal project in the beginning said
Mr.. Teller, there would be no need for
| such a suggestion as a change of plans
now"
He believed the lock canal would cost
| but little less than sea level
| II don't believe any engineer in this
! country today believes it can be built
| for $500. 600, 900, and when it is built 1t will
! be a second class canal.
| "Some of us will live to see this canal
I abandoned and some of us will live to
| see sea level canal between the Atlantic
and the Pacific
Comment on Expenses.
| When the sections of the bill relating
| to executive departments was reached In
| ----------~>-------------