The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-16
VIGOROUS OPPOSITION CROPS
OUT AGAINST ABOLITION OF
CANAL COMMISSION.
DEBATE PROVES LIVELY
Proposed vestins of Judicial po,.r !,
One Circuit Court and Such inferior
Tribunals as President Nigh. See
Fit to Create Also Meets With
Strong oisapprovai in the House.

Washington. Dec. 15.-yigorous op-
position To the proposed plan to abol-
ish the isthmian canal commission and
To vest building Of the Panama canal
and of governing the canal zone in ono
uireeter general, appointed by the
president, cropped out in the house to-
das IN general debate on the Mann bill.
reported by the committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce. or scarce
~ less intensity WAS the storm of pro-
/ test aroused when II was learned that
the committee recommended that ju-
dicial power on the canal zone be vest
ed In one circuit court and such in
ferior courts as the president NAV
constitute. This would require the abo-
iltion OF the existing supreme court ON
the zone.
An appeal direct to the supreme
court of the United States is author
ized, however, in questions arising out
OF the constitution, treaties or laws of
IN" United States or involving n death
sentence or imprisonment Similar an
peal Is allowed in civil cases involving
more than $1,000. Representative Mann
uil). author of the bill and chairman
OF the committee, attempted to explain
the necessity for his measure.
what are the sources of authari,v
from which the president tRooseveItl
derived the right to claim the govern
ment of the canal:' interrupted Rem
resentatire Harrison Of New York,
A Necessity.
Justify the action of the prasi.
dent, replied Mr.. Mann, upon tha ~
cessity or this civilization preventing
chaos upon the zone. and when con-
sress. IN Its wisdom. chose not To pro.
'iue form OF government after the
emu OF the fifty-eighth congress bv
ts specific enactment I think IL wrote
INTO the law. without language. thar ~.
peiiesed the president had the mower
'o carry on the government and did NOT
ihtehd that no government should ex.
list on the zone
After Mr.. Mann had concluded hi.
explanation. Mr.. Harrison denounced
uie Dill IN an extended speech. He
designated President Roosevelt as a
uictator and "despot," and declared
'hat he had assumed authority i'm GOV
erhing the canal zone TO which he had
no right. 80.
Representative Olmstead 1Pal ras
piled to Mr.. Harrison, defending N.
former president. He declared his a..
'ohs had been justified by repeata5
acts OF congress in making a,oronr,,-
tiohs Tor carrying on the canal work
anu 'hat II was the intent of congress-
u give the president such AUTHORITY
Vigorous Defense.
vigorous defense of the canal n,t-
Ics OF the administration was mada h,
representative Adamson tGa1 n map,
oe' VI 'he committee. Opposing ths
of the canal commis
SION Mhen the same was doing good
WORK Representative Kcifer toD insist
ed congress had no constitutional r,gs,
10 invest such Legislative power as w,s
proposed in the present bill and ur.a5
'he work should be allowed 10 continue
uhuer the present system. Representa-
i've SIMS tTenn) gave notice thar ha
mouia seek to amend section two OF
'he OH 5" as To strike out the CLAUSE
sestins all the military, civil and n,-
iiciai power of the United States i,
the canal zone. including the power m
'haAe all laws, rules and regulations
necessary for the government of ,na
zone in the president
General debate on the measure was
concluded before adjournment. and m.
reading began. Mr.. Mann will cau nm
'"e blii again on "Wednesday. Ian
nary :,