The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-04
GIANT CANAL
PROJECT Up
TO CONGRESS
Nicaraguan Waterway to
Be Brought Out for
Discussion.
SENATORS ARE WARY
Few Wish to Take Initiative
in Job of StupendouS
Proportions.
SENATORS ARE WARY
By WILLIAM PHILIP sIMMs,


Foreign Editor. Seripps-H Howard Newspapers
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-Once
more, probably this week, the Mic
araguan canal survey project is ex-
pected to come before the United
States senate.
In his last report, the Governor of
the Panama canal warned that
traffic has tended to double every
five years since the canal was OPP
ened for business, the time obvious
ly is approaching when congress
will find it imperative to do one Of
two things: Either enlarge the ia
cilities at Panama or dig new
canal, likely across Nicaragua,
where the United States already
owns route.
That congress may be In position
to act intelligently e the matter,
Senator Walter Edge of New Jersey,
last year introduced in the senate
a joint resolution calling for
survey of both projects. He asked
that $150,00e be appropriated to
have each proposition thoroughly
investigated, so congress could
weigh one against the other.
Project Hangs Fire
However, the project is dangling
in midair before the senate. Though
apparently assured of comfortable
majority in both houses as soon as
1t reaches a vote, it nevertheless has
- OLIn n rr0 rsf1if0 fhof
far. Time and again it has been
halted, on the very verge of deci-
sion.
No material objection has been
raised to the survey. Opposition
has been of the most perfunctory
order. Unfamiliarity with the sub
ject on the part of some of the
senators, plus a natural hesitation
to commit themselves on what ap-
pears to be such Stupendous prop
osition, are seen as the principal
obstacles.
The Edge resolution is simple.
Congress is not asked to vote now
on either the Nicaraguan project or
the enlargement of the Panama
canal. The only question before
that body is: Shall it, or shall it
not, obtain comparative data on
both jobs before it debates which,
of either, it will tackle?
At it's last airing before the SEN
ate. suggestion was made that
maybe the measure is just another
excuse to make the marines per-
manent institution in Nicaragua.
Responsible leaders down there do
not share this fear.
Nicaragua Favors Project
The liberal, President Moncado, at
the time of President-Elect Hoover's
visit to Corinto. expressed his Gag
erneSS to see the project begun at
the earliest possible moment. Ex-
President Diaz and former dicta-
tor, General Chamorro, conServa-
tive leaders, concurred. And DR.
Juan B. Sacasa, liberal president
during the recent revolution, repeat
erly and previously had placed HIM
self on record in the same sense.
The writer has been in Nicaragua
number of times. He has talked
with the above leaders, as well as
with others down there. Yet he
never has heard any responsible
Nicaraguan voice anything but ap-
prevail of the big ditch.
All cite the progress and tran
guilty enjoyed by Panama since
coming of the canal as an eanest of
what might be expected should
Uncle Sam take up his 100000
option and cut an ocean-to-ocean
waterway across their country and
make it new crossroads of the
world.