The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-21
]. s. SUCCEEDED WHERE
OTHER NATIONS
FAILED
IN BUILDING GREAT PANAMA
CANAL-NEWSY NOTES FROM
WASHINGTON.

Tor the administration of the Pana-
ma canal, which was begun in tn.
House of Representatives Oh Thurs
cay, opens new chapter in the his
tory of an undertaking in which the
United States has succeeded where
all others have failed For many
generations it has been the dream
way between the two oceans by cut
ting the strip of land which connects
he continents of North and South
America and shortening, by weeks,
the time ships must consume to go
IRON the Atlantic to the Pacific
Tragic failure resulted from the ef-
forts of the French government to
build the Panama canal. Few les
sons could be learned by our eng:-
heers and statesmen from studying
French methods. Unknown difficult
les had to be met and new plans de-
Used for meeting them. 1t was done
successfully and the fact that the
opening OF the canal is assured is a
tribute to the genius of America. Til,
legislation now being considered
Elust be enacted practically withous
precedent. Great problems must be
solved. with little but reason and in
stinct to guide. Intricate and deli
cate matters OF diplomacy as well as
grave methods OF administration
must be decided, Congress HIS en-
tered a new field in determining
what it shall decide for the regula-
ton of the Panama canal. The an
swer it will make is to mark a new
epoch in United States history ami
the history of ehworld. Men of all
nations as well as citizens of this
tOuntry are listening to hear what
is reached. The regu-
latiOn Of the Panama canal is one
OF the most important pieces of legis-
latiOn ever presented to the American
Congress.
a curious accident occurred in the
capitol recently that Is said to be
the first instance of its kind. The
House was holding late session and
Tie halls and chambers were bril-
liantly lighted with the usual cleo
trio bulbs. About five minutes after
the hour of adjournment, the ma
tlinery that furnishes the electric
current failed for some reason. and
the entire capitol was plunged into
absolute darkness. Members who
We're on their way through the cor
r.dors were unable to proceed, and
several rather violent collisions oc-
CURED. One member was being car
RED from floor TO floor in the elc-
\ator, and the ear stopped when il
was about half way down, thereby
lmprisoning the unlucky statesman.
RACES, guards, policemen and clerks
were summoned to find lights, and
no members had to be guided
through the almost stygian darkness
hy the smoky. ilickering light from
uncertain torches 1t is not known
what caused the sudden darkness bui
the matter is being Investigated.
And that is not the only dark
hess that ought to be investigated in
this Democratic House. remarked
cN-Spcaker Uncle" Joe Cannon. who
was one of the unfortunates that had
TO be rescued.
congress apparently settled down
TO the conviction that no adjourn
ment can take place earlier than Aug.
!. Plans for cooling the chambers o.
the Senate and the House are there
lore being made. in order to protect
As much as possible from the rigors
e. the heated period the statesmen
who must remain in Washington at
a time when ordinarily they would
be seeking cool mountain resorts and
the national Fairgrounds by the sea.
Great exhaust fans are being in
stalled which will exhaust the heat
co air from the chambers. il is said.
every seven minutes. replacing it by
AIR from the outside that has been
conducted through vaults stored with
Ions Q. ice. The plan is supposed TO
furnish fresh. cool AIR 10 the labor
ing representatives and senator's of
the people. Such measures are nee
essary. for the reason that both the
House and Senate chambers are en-
tnely shut off by outside rooms from
any immediate access to the outdoor
ar. Surmounted as they are by glass
skylights on which the sun beats with
all its power, these rooms would he
unbea RI hle IL Gonna c,,oh ~,oo