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Show LITTLE HOPE FOR THE CAHAL BILL WASHINGTON. March t.-At a final meeting of the conferees on the Panama canal bill yesterday, after the Senate conferees con-ferees had reported verbally the inability of the representatives of the houces to get together, and were sent back to try again, the futility of attempting a compromise com-promise was admitted and the conferees decided to ask for their discharge. If this decision is accepted by the two houses, and it is the general impression that it will be. the effect will be to kill the canal bill entirely. Under the Spooner act it Is conceded that the President Is empowered to go ahead with the construction of the canal. The only question is the authority of the executive to exercise the desired rovern- ment of the canal sone which Is provided for in that portion of the bill continuing in force until the expiration of the session of the Fifty-ninth Congress, beginning in December. 1906. the authority now vested In the President, which expires on March 4. It is believed by many persons in Congress Con-gress that the President has authority in any event to contlniio such control, but if It should be decided ol her wise by joint resolution, such authority could be extended ex-tended Inter. Practically the only difference between the two houses was over the provision of the House bill wnich abolishes the canal commission. This was stricken out by the Senate. Compromises for reducing the commission were suggested by the Senate Sen-ate conferees, but the House would not accept any proposition that did not abolish the commission. |