The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-05-30
Washington Whisperings.

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WASHINGTON. D. c., May q, 1912. The
consideration of the bill to provide for
the administration of the Panama Canal,
which was begun in the House of Rep
resentatives on Thursday. opens new
chapter in the history of an undertaking
In which the United States has succeed
ed where all others have failed. For
many generations it has been the dream
OF far-seeing men to open new path
way between the two oceans by cutting
the strip of land which connects the con-
tinents of North and South America and
shortening, by weeks, the time ships
must consume to go from the Atlantic
to the Pacific. Tragic failure resulted
from the efforts of the French govern
ment to build the Panama Canal. Few
lessons could be learned by,our engineers
and statesmen from studying French
methods. Unknown difficulties had to
be met and new plans devised for meet
ing them. 1t was done successfully and
the fact that the opening of the canal is
assured is tribute to the genius OF
America. The legislation now being con-
sidered must be enacted practically with
out precedent. Great problems must be
solved, with little but reason and instinct
to guide. Intricate and delicate matters
of diplomacy as we'll as grave methods
of administration must be decided. Con-
gress has entered a new field in determin-
ing what it shall decide for the regula-
ton of the Panama Canal The answer
it will make is to mark new epoch in
United States history and the history of
the world. Men of all nations as we'll as
citizens of this country are listening to
hear what determination is reached. The
regulation of the Panama Canal is one of
the most important pieces of legislation
ever presented to the American Con-
gress.
A curious accident occurred in the Cap
itol recently that is said to be the first
instance of it's kind The House was
holding late session and the halls and
chambers were brilliantly lighted with
the usual electric bulbs. About five
minutes after the hour of adjournment,
the machinery that furnishes the electric
current failed for some reason, and the
entire Capitol was plunged into absolute
darkness. Members who were on their
way through the corridors were unable
to proceed, and several rather violent
collisions occurred. One member was
being carried from floor to floor IN the
elevator, and the Car stopped when it
was half way down, thereby imprisoning
the unlucky statesman. Pages, guards,
policemen and clerks were summoned to
find lights, and the members had to be
guided through the almost stygian dark
ness by the smoky, Pickering light from
uncertain torches. 1t is not known what
caused the sudden darkness, but the mat
ter is being investigated.
''And that is not the only darkness
that ought to be investigated in this
Democratic House, remarked former
Speaker 'Uncle" Joe Cannon, who was
one of the unfortunates that had to be
rescued.
Congress has apparently settled down
to the conviction that no adjournment
can take place earlier than August LIST.
Plans for cooling the chambers of the
Senate and the House are therefore be-
ing made in order to protect as much as
possible from the rigors of the heated
period the statesmen who must remain
in Washington at time when ordinarily
they would be seeking cool mountain re-
sorts and the national Fairgrounds by the
sea. Great exhaust fans are being in
stalled which will exhaust the heated air
from the chambers, it is said, every
seven minutes, replacing it by air from
the outside that has been conducted
through vaults stored with tons of ice.
The plan is supposed to furnish fresh
cool air to the laboring representatives
and senators of the people. Such meas
ures are necessary, for the reason that
both the House and Senate chambers are
entirely shut off by outside rooms from
any immediate access to the outdoor air.
Surmounted as they are by glass sky
lights on which the sun beats with all its
power, these rooms would be unbearable
if some such means were not resorted to
to make them more comfortable.
Seven Years in State Prison.