Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19
SENATE REMOVES
RIVER BILL SNAG
Modified Plan for Missouri Is
Indorsed-Cape Cod Canal
Item Is Fought.

BY the Associated Press.
Another snag in the way of the
dfouse rivers and harbors bill was
removed yesterday in the Senate with
approval of a modified program for
Missouri River improvement between
Kansas City and Sioux City, Iowa.
Agreement on this provision yes
4erday and on the Illinois River chan
mel project Friday left as the only
probable stumbling block to passage
of the measure which would author
i2e an expenditure of 100000 for
river and harbor improvements, the
proposal for purchase of the Cape
Cod Canal.
Senator Howell, Republican, Ne
hraska, orened up yesterday with
vigorous attack on tie House pro-
vision to buy the canal for $11 ,500,-
600, which is yet to be passed on by
The Senate, but despite this, leaders
generally predicted that the bill would
be put to a final vote by Tuesday.
Committee Reverses Stand.
A report from the commerce COM
anittee, reversing its previous stand
that property owners along the Mis-
souri, River should meet part of the
cost of the Kansas City to Sioux
city improvement ended the fight on
this project.
With little opposition the House
provision then was accepted with an
amendment to limit the depth of the
channel to feet and to restrict
the first appropriation to $12,00O,O0O
Western Senators who accepted the
Sl2 100000 limitation III return for
elimination of the provision demand
ing partial payment by property own
crs were chided by Senator's Willis
ii Ohio and Lenroot Of Wisconsin,
Republicans, who insisted it would re-
suit in delay and "dilatory considera-
ton of the project"
I'VE want this project started"
Senator Reed, Democrat, Missouri. re.
piled. 1--WE get $12,000,000 now and
we are confident the future will take
care Of our demands. But, more i'm
portant, this means the immediate
starting Of this great work, and that
is what we want"
Senator King, Democrat, Utah, who
has denounced the bill from the out
set as pork barrel proposal, con-
tinued his fight yesterday, and made
known his objections to the details of
the Missouri River proposition.
Discussing withdrawal of the
amendment to charge part of the cost
to property owners, Chairman Jones
of the commerce committee an
nounced that he later would offer an
amendment declaring 1t to be the per-
manent policy of the Government not
to demand partial payments by local
interests on rivers and harbors
projects.
Senator Jones admitted the Mis-
souri, River provision does not meet
with the full approval of Maj. Gen.
Jaalwin, chief of Army Engineers, but
he informed Senator King that no
'rebuke" was intended by the COM
snittee.
During a two-hour denunciation OF
the Cape Cod proposal. Senator Howell
offered an amendment, which is still
to be voted on, to authorize purchase
of the canal with the proviso that
TIE per cent of the purchase price is
to equal the average net earnings of
the canal for the three.year period
ending next January j.
Canal Proponents Answer.
The Nebraska Senator asserted that
the commercial value of the canal had
been estimated by Army engineers at
$4,000. 900, with an outlay of $25, 000,-
600 to 49,, 000, 900 necessary to place 1t
In effective operation. The canal has
lost money for its private operators
every month since it was opened, he
said.
Howell yielded at intervals to Sen
ator Gillett, Republican. and Walsh,
Democrat, of Massachusetts, and Sen.
ator Copeland, Democrat, New York,
who favored purchase of the canal.
Copeland said he favored its acqui-
sition as a military factor, since ii
cut Sc miles off the natural water
route from New York to Boston.