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Show PANAMA BILL BEFORE HOUSE SIX HOURS Washington, Feb. 9. For nearly six hours the house of representatives today to-day discussed the bill materially changing the methods of administering administer-ing the Panama canal zono and constructing con-structing the canal. Amendments almost al-most without number wore aimed at the measure, but, with one. or two exceptions, ex-ceptions, they failed of adoption. Consideration Con-sideration of the bill was completed but because of a threatened roll call by the opponents of the bill, and, tho hour being late, Mr. Mann, having it In charge, did not ask for a vote. Mr. Richardson said the present was the most inopportune time to call tho country's attention to the fact that a change of tho legislative and administrative, admin-istrative, as well as the governmental policy of the canal zone, was necessary. neces-sary. He said congress should wait for the report of the commissioners, who recently accompanied Mr. Taft to Panama. Mr. Stephens (Minn.) explained in supporting the bill that it established on the zone a legislative instead of an executive government. Unless tho bill were passed, he said, the construction construc-tion of the canal would be impeded in many ways. Mr, Rainey (Llls. ) was particularly bitter In denouncing the bill. In supporting the bill. Mr. Cockran (New York) declared his belief in a minimum of vice If he could not get virtue. He argued that it was not contemplated to establish a permanent government on the canal zone, i Mr. Mann (Ills.) said it was not a case of executive government or chaos. There was no opposition, he said, and can be none, for a tempo rary government elected by the cm ployes of tho government, which will be successful. The motion of Mr. Hardwick to strike out the paragraph : in question, was lost, 57 to 110. i Other amendments followed in quick succession, one of these by Mr. Rainey providing that the so-called "gold" employes shall not be restricted to American citizens. "If we are to enter upon the gigantic system of spoils contemplated," he said, "I prefer pre-fer that the spoils shall go to Americans Ameri-cans " The amendment ,was lost. An avalanche of amendments was directed di-rected at tho other paragraphs of the bill, but, with ono or two minor exceptions, ex-ceptions, they were all rejected. The bill was about to be put upon Its passage when Mr. Mann, obesrv-' ing that its opponents were preparing to force a roll call, moved that the house adjourn. This motion carried. |