Panama Treaties

WASHINGTON--The House of Representatives yesterday rejected a bill designed to carry out the final details of the Panama Canal treaties. The treaties are scheduled to take effect in less than two weeks.

The Senate approved the bill earlier in the day before the House defeated it, 203-192.

The bill would have established a U.S.-controlled commission to operate the canal until the end of the century. Under the terms of the treaty, Panama would have gained complete control of the canal on Dec. 31, 1999.