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Show WITS QUARTER OF A MILLION TO CELEBRATE OPENING OF CANAL Washington, Jan. 7. In a conference confer-ence lato today with Democratic and Republican leaders of Congress, President Wilson asked tor an appropriation ap-propriation of $250,000 to defray el-penseg el-penseg ot the celebration planned for opening of the Panama canal next March. The president summoned to the White House, just before ho took the train for Indianapolis, Senators Overman, Ov-erman, Hoke Smith ot Georgia and Galllnger and Representatives Underwood, Under-wood, Sherley and Mann, and laid before them tentative plans for the' celebration submitted to him by Secretaries Sec-retaries Bryan, Garrison and Daniels. Tho plan Includes tho entertainment of visiting officers of foreign fleets which aro to participate In the naval rovlow and pass through tho canal If that Is possible, and tho transportation transpor-tation of tho fleet and visitors. Although all details of the program pro-gram were not mado public, the ires-ldcnt ires-ldcnt told tha delegation that tiio estimated expendlturo for tho celebration cele-bration would bo about a quarter of a million dollars. Democrats and Republicans Re-publicans alike approved tho plans and the expenditure. It was determined deter-mined that no presidential niosaage would be necessary in order to pro-euro pro-euro funds, but It was agreod that another conference should bo held with regard to tho matter as soon as tho president returned from Indian-apo.ls. Indian-apo.ls. Possibility that tho nival parado through the canal cannot bo hold as suggested recently by Col. Goothals, on account ot slides, was discussed at the conference, but It was agreed that preparations should go forward without regard to such a possibility. Tho plan contemplates a reception for visiting naval officials and representatives repre-sentatives of foreign governments In Washington, and for tholr doparturo from the capital March 5 for Hampton Hamp-ton Roads, where battleships will bo boarded for tho canal crulso. An Invitation to Includo tho Pacific northwest in tha itinerary was ox-tended ox-tended to the president today by Senators Sen-ators Chamberlain and Lane of Ore gon, Horah and Drady of Idaho, Sutherland Suth-erland of Utah and Jones and Poln-dexter Poln-dexter of Washington. Ho promised to take in those states it possible |
