New-York tribune., 1911-02-24
MONEY FOR CANAL FORTS
House Committee Provides S3,.
100000 in Sundry Civil Bill.
TAKES GEN. WOODS ADVICE
Tawney Will Offer Amendment
Looking Toward Neutrali.
cation of Canal
from TIE Tribuns Bureau

".
| Washington. Feb. 13.-The Hrh+ over the
administrators plan for fortifcation OF the
Panama Canal will be put souarely before
the House tomorrow
The sundry civil bill, appropriating ,lac.
a0OS0 for various branches Of the govern
ment service in the next fiscal year. was
reported from the Appropriations Commit
tee to-day. and will be taken up for consid-
Grafton and action by the House to-nnor-
row Z includes an appropriation Of S.
0o0 ocr for canal fertilization, for which Ma
tor General Wood. Colonel Goethals. chair
man cf the Isthmian Canal Commission.
and other officials presented arguments.
The bill also contains an appropriation OF
s45. $50. coo for continuing the construction or
the canal
Representative Tawney who opposes
fortifcation. has announced his intention
10 offer an amendment tomorrow which
provides that no money for the fortifca-
tion Of the canal shall be available until
the President shall have determined. after
proper endesvor by and through the treaty
making power vested in him by the Con-
stitution." that he Is unable 10 negotiate
and conclude a treaty with majority OF
the leading maritime nations Of the world
joining the United States in guaranteeing
the proper preservation and protection
OF the canal and its entrances. This
is 70 include protection from danger
Of Blockade and the protection of YES
sells entering or desiring 20 enter the
canal and the commerce Of the canal in
war time as we'll as in peace. The treaty
also Is 70 guarantee ar all times TO the sig
natory powers the full and free use Of the
canal upon such terms as the United states
NAV prescribe The amendment furthsr
will provide that If the President be unable
10 nezotiate such treaty he shall so sig
nify by proclamation 20 the people Of the
United States and not until then shaii
the appropriation Re made available
General Wood told the Committee on Ap-
propriations to-day that fortihcston ~ the
Panama Canal is absolutely essential 20
render the waterway an asset ana not
liability in time OF war He declared fatty
that no treaty could be depended on. how
ever binding ~ vas, 80 insure the nsu-
tralitv ~ tho canal in the event OF hostili-
ties with a maritime power.
So convincing were his arguments that
the committee placed the 100000 appro-
priation in the sundrv civil bill.
General Wood pointed ont that win
powerful long range guns covering the At
Iantic and Pacific ends of the canal, the
consolidation Of the American fe~t could
he accomplished. and its movement from
ono ocean - the othor. ss occasion might
demand. would be untra mmeled Without
land Qualifications offering such protection
hostile feet. ne said. could approach close
20 the mouth of the canal and pick off the
American ships as they steamed out.
As an added reason why big guns should
he mounted General Wood declared that
the locks AZ each END Of Gstun Lake could
be reached by shell fre Because Of THIS
condition Re advocated the maintenance
/ Of garrison OK not less than five thou
| sand men. General Wood estimated the
! cost of the proposed land fortifcations. In
/ cluding barracks and quarters, at 'l2,f15.32S
The sliudry civil bill provides for several
| New York projects, as follows: Compile
| ,ion and CONSTRUCTION OF the Marine Hos
/ pital at New York and for additional
| buildings under the present limit OF cost
| $4,000. rental and temporary quarters
| New York Barge Ofice. and moving eH-
/ penseS. $4,000: for continuing work on New
/ York postoffice. $4,000: for extension anc
enlargement Of Auburn postofice and court
] house. s2n.G1l The bill also provides fo'
1 continuing work on the Jersey city post
| Office, 10000
/ Tho bill authorizes an appropriation NJ
( 10000 for the permanent Tariff Board, this
/ appropriation 70 extend until June 81. 1913
/ The Presidents economy board, which Is
! engaged in investigating the antiquateC
business methods in the government de
partnents. is continued. and $1,000 made
/ available for its use. The board is re-
ouired 10 report 70 Congress at the begin
ming of the next session.