The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-14
Taft Urges Appropriation
of $5,00O,OOO.
SPECIAL MESSAGE CONGRESS
The President Asks For Funds TO
Start Work Immediately on
the Proposed Defences.
Backed by Army Board.

Washington. Jan. l3-Presldent TAFT
sent TO congress a special message
urging the fertilization OF the Panama
canal.
The president recommends that an
appropriation Of $5,OOO.OOO, to start
the work on the proposed defenses, be
made at the present session OF con
gress.
The president forwarded with the
message the report Of the special army
and navy board, recommending the
fortihcation of the canal.
"The canal when completed" says
the president in his message, will az
ford the only convenient route for wa
ter communication between our Allan
tic and Pacific coasts. and virtually
will be a part OF the coast line Of the
United States. It's assured possession
and control will contribute TO our
peace, safety and prosperity as a ma
ton.
In my judgment 1t is the right and
the duty OF the United States to for
tify and make capable Of defense the
work that will bear so vital a relation
to It's welfare and that is being created
solely by II and at an expenditure OF
enormous sums.
II have authorized the submission to
the secretary OF the treasury Of the
revised estimate for the appropriation
referred 10 in the accompanying letter
of the secretary OF war. which estl-
mate Is less than the original estimate
by approximately one-third."
Immediately after the November
election President Taft went to the
canal zone TO make an inspection OF
the progress OF the work and to get
data TO aid him in outlining recon-
mendations for the defense OF the
great waterway and for its govern
ment.
Soon after his return il became
known that he would urge an extern
sive system OF Notifications and that
he would seek to have congress au-
thOrize the work at this session. so
that the Notifications could be com
ploted soon after the opening Of the
canal to commerce In 1915. lie set
forth his views on this subject In his
annual message TO congress and ever
since has been in conference with
senators and leading members OF the
house in an effort to gain support for
his plan.
The entire cost OF the fertilization
has been estimated at about $4,000
600. II Is the presidents idea that the
forts at either end OF the canal shall
be massive works, able to Withstand
the heaviest guns that can be brought
against IT, 1t is also part OF his plan
that the guns placed in the forts shall
be of the largest and most powerful
type. In this connection it has been
suggested that the main batteries will
be Of l6-inch guns
Despite the earnestness with which
the president has worked to get con
grcss around 10 MS way OF tnlnkihB'
there has developed the strongest kind
Of opposition to terrifying the canal.
Many members OF both houses of con
gress have contended for the neut.ali-
cation Of the waterway. both TO avoid
the heavy cost OF building and main.
tanning defenses and as tending to
avoid complications with other ma
tions.
1t is certain that there will be ex-
haustive debate when the question
comes before congress. especially In
the senate. This fact, taken in con
nection with the expiration Of congress
on March 3. makes It doubtful wheth-
err an appropriation will be made at
this session, even If the plan for torti-
flcation wins out in the end.