Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-12-16
PROPOSE CHANGE
IN CANAL PLANS
Mann, of Illinois, Attempts to Ex-
plain Necessity for Measure

WASHINGTON. d. G., Dec. 16.-
Vigorous opposition to the proposed
plan to abolish the isthmian canal
commission and to vest building OF
the Panama canal and OF governing
the canal zone in one director gem
eral. appointed by the president,
cropped out In the house today In
general debate on the Mann bill, re-
ported by the committee ON interstate
and foreign commerce.
Scarcely less intense was the pro-
test aroused when 1t was learned that
the committee had recommended that
the judiciary power on the canal zone
be vested In one circuit court and
such inferior courts as the president
may constitute. This would require
the abolition OF the existing supreme
court on the zone.
An appeal direct to the supreme
cout of the United States Is author
lied, however, In questions arising
out of the constitution, treaties or
laws of the United States, or involy-
ing a death sentence pr imprisonment
Similar appeals are allowed In civil
cases involving more than 5000.
Representative Mann OF Illinois,
author OF the bin and chairman OF the
committee. attempted to explain the
necessity for his measure.
| What are the sources of authority
from which the president (Roosevelt)
derived the right to claim to govern
the canal zone?" interrupted Repre-
sentative Harrison of New York.
Il justify the actions of the presi-
dent" rplied Mr.. Mann, upon the
necessity of this civilization prevent
ing chaos upon the zone, and when
congress, in Its wisdom, chose not to
provide form of government after
the end of the Fifty-eighth congress
by its specific enactment, | think Il
wrote into the law, without language
that~we believed the president had
the power to carry on the govern
ment and did not intend that no gov.
eminent should exist on the zone"
Calls Roosevelt DespOt.
After Mr.. Mann had concluded his
explanation Mr.. Harrison denounced
the bill In an extended speech. He
designated President Roosevelt as .
dictator" and a "despot." and de
clared that he had assumed authority
in governing the canal zone to which
! he had no right.
Representative 0lmstead of Penn
sylvania replied to Mr.. Harrison, de
tending the former president, who's,
, actions, he declared, had been JUST
a fed by repeated acts of congress
In making appropriations for carry
, ing on the canal work, and that
was the intent of congress to Civ,
, the president such authority.
A vigorous defense of the canal pol
icy of the administration was mad
by Mr.. Adamson OF Georgia, mem
Der of the committee.
a Mr.. Keifer Of Ohio insisted con
q gress had no constitutional right +
n vest such legislative power in tn
+ president. and urged the work shoul
: be allowed to continue under the ca
4 NAL commission.
q Representative Sims of Tenesse
. gave notice that he would seek t
amend section 2 of the bill, SO as {
!, strike out the clause vesting mill
= tary, civil and judicial powers OF tn
; United States In the canal zone. ia
\ Guiding the power to make all lawi
), rules and regulations necessary 70
:. the government of the. zone" in tn
10 president.
General debate on the measure wa
:. concluded before adjournment an
- the reading began. Mr.. Mann VII
: call up the bill again on "wednesday
: January 5.