New-York tribune., 1909-12-16
FIGHT ON PANAMA
NEW BILL ATTACKED.
Plan 10 Change Zone Control
Meets Opposition.

Meets Opposition
Washington. Dec I5.-TiGOrous opposition
20 the nlan 10 abolish the Isthmian Canal
Commission ana west power OF building the
rsnama Canal and governing the Canal
Zone In a director general appointed by
the President cropped out IN the House
to-day when the Mann bin, reported by
the Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce. was taken Up.
or scarcely less intensity Was the storm
81 protest aroused when II was learned
that the committee had recommended that
the judicial power in the Canal Zone should
he vested in one circuit court and such
inferior courts as the President may con-
stitute. This would require the abolition
o. the existing Supreme Court in the Zone.
An spnosl direct 10 the Supreme Court Of
the United States rs authorized. however,
on Questions arising oUt Of the constitu-
tion, treaties or laws % the United States
or involving q death sentence or ir.iprison-
ment A similar appeal Is allowed in
civ!l cases involving more than 5000
Representative Mann. 81 Illinois. author
of the hil and chairman OF the committee
attempted 10 explain the necessity for a
measure that would oentralize responsibility
FOR completion Of the canal and that would
NJ n Ni ItHtAfAal hiAA ActlA ARA AAA' N'A-
struction of the canal and The civil gov
srnment of the Canal Zone which the Presi-
dent had heen carrying on
What are tho sources of authority from
which tho President ,RoosevelD derived the
right 20 claim 10 govern the CANA Zone"
interrupted Representative Harrison, of
Nev York
Z justify tho actions of the President"
replied Nj. Mann. upon the necessity of
TINS civilization preventing chaos upon the
zone. and when Congress in its wisdom
chose not 60 provide form % government
after the end of the 5Sth Congress by
fts specific enactment. I think II wrote
into the law without language that We be
heted Tho President had the power 10
osrry on the government and did not in
tend that any government should exist in
the zone
Mr. Harrison called President Roosevelt
dictator" and "despo;." and declared
thai no had assumed authority in governing
the Canal Zone 10 which he had no right
MR. ROOSEVELT DEFENDED.
Representative Olmsted Of Pennsylvania.
defended rhe ex-Prcsident. lie declared
that his actions had been justified by re-
Iested acts % Congress I'm making appro-
pristions for carrying on canal work and
that b. was the intent Of Congress 10 give
tho President such authority.
vigorous defence ~ The canal policy of
'he administration was made by Repre-
sentative Adamson. Of Georgia.
Opposing the disintegration of the canal
commission. v Inch. ne said. was doing good
work. Representative Keifer. Of Ohio. in
sisted thar Congress had no constitutional
right 20 vest such legislative power as was
proposed in the President. and urged that
Tho work should he allowed 20 continue
under the present system
Representative Sims. Of Tennessee. gave
notice lhat he would seek o amend Section
81 the aiil 80 a. 10 strike out the clause
HesiIng All the military, civil and judicial
powers ~ the United States in tho Canal
Zone. including the poEsr to make al laws.
rules ana regulations necessary FOR the
government of the zone" in the President
Speeches IN opposition 10 vesting the
Judicial power Of the Canal Zone In one
circuit iudge. where three are now required
10 DO the work. we're made by Represent
suves Parker, Of New Jersey. and Sterling.
of Illinois.
Reprcsentative Madden. OF Illinois spoke
in favor of the hill. and Representatives
IisrdNick OF Georgia. and Gardner OF
Michigan attacked The section abolishing
the Canal Commission. Mr. Gardner argued
tust while Il was evidently the purpose 10
continue colonel GOethsis in charge Of The
canal work a. director general. 10 might
cIe. and no other man 50 efficient misht be
available Wuereupon the commission would
10 vellnigh indispensable.
General debate on the measure was closed
4 before adjournment. and The reading OF II
ID began It. is tho purpose Of Mr.. Mann 20
" call up the bill again on "Wednesday. jan
usry 3. Immediately following the holiday
recess
Power 90 govern tine Canal zone vas
vested iH the President by the act ~ April
= 1915. bur that isW ceased 10 he effective
automatically with the expiration NJ the
bsth Congress since tleu several efforts
have been naoe 10 PASS similar law. but
none has e,fr gone through the Senate
sud iu tne absence of any speciIc author
iir than that given 10 him by appropriario,
bills ana the eNieeucies Of the situation.
tho President has continued 10 administer
Enaire on a no iSthmus