The Republican journal., 1914-06-11
Washington Whisperings.

WASHINGTON, D. c., June 8, 1914. The
Isthmian waterway has been fruitful
topic of discussion in Congress, in thel
periodicals, and in the newspapers, for
number of years, and it bids fair to con-
tinue to be one of the most important
subjects of controversy for many years
to come. Up to the time of the Spanish
war the cutting of an Isthmian waterway
was discussed in desultory sort of fash
ion, the probability being that canal
would ultimately be built through Nicar-
aqua. When the Oregon" steamed
from the Pacific coast through Magellan
Straits to join the Atlantic fleet, it
aroused the country to the belief that
canal should be cut through the lsthmus
at the earliest possible moment. From
that time there was no question about a
canal.
Now that we have the canal almost
completed the controversy is very inter-
easting as to how we shall manage it,
whether our own ships shall be allowed
to 90 through free, whether it is part
of our coast line, or whether it is going
to be used largely for the benefit OF for
eign shipping. When this is finally set
tied there will still be an open question
as to whether the canal can be used by
an enemy of the United States if at war
with the United States. That is ques-
ton which will not be settled until a war
comes and the country which is fighting
xhe United States seeks passage for its
ships through the canal.
The probabilities. are that, just as 1t
hanpened that those who first talked OF
an interoceanic waterway have long since
passed away, the problems arising over
the control and management of that
waterway will still exist long after those
who constructed the canal have also
passed away.
In honor of Speaker Clark, Majority
Leader Underwood. Minority Leader
Mann and Progressive Leader Murdoch,
q luncheon was given in the restaurant
OF the House of Representative the
other day, which, to say the least, was
UNIQUE in the viands served. They were
brought from the four corners OF the
u nited States by the hosts of these dis
Ginguished statesmen.
The potatoes came from Maine, being
provided by Congressman Guernsey;
Congressman Sparkman of Florida, fur
nished corn on the cob; Congressman
Bell, of California, brought plums from
shat State; Mr.. Kettner, also of Califor-
mia, supplied the grape juice; while Con-
gresham johnson, of Washington State,
provided the finest salmon seen in these
parts for many years. The invited guests
included score of House members and
number of newspaper correspondents.
It was some 'feed", for sure.
Senator Ransdell, of Louisiana, Presi-
dent of the National Rivers and Harbors
Go ngress, has contributed a most in
str uctive address to the many that have
beer delivered on the "Free Tolls" bill.
1t touched in mastery way upon phases
of this interesting question that have
only been indirectly alluded to during the
course of tine debate which, in many
ways, rivals the long discussion on the
hill IN rer,aa al the silver DurchaSinp clause
Of the Sherman act in 1898.
Mr.. Ransdell denied in most emphat-
ic way, that treaty could be made
which would take away from Congress
the right, given it under the Constitu
zion, to legislate regarding coastwise
commerce. He contended there was not
a single word in the Constitution which
gives the President any power whatso-
ever to regulate or control commerce be-
twee the States, either by treaty or
otherwise. He contended that the House
of Representatives has an equal power
with the Senate in passing legislation
affecting interstate commerce and that
this power could not be delegated to the
Chief Executive, even though there
might be disposition to do so. AS it |
has been frequently held by the Supreme
Court that Porto Rico belongs to the |
coast of the United States he had no
doubt that the Panama Canal strip would
also be held as part of the coast line of
the United States for purposes of do
mestic commerce.