The record-union., 1897-01-13
NICARAGUA CANAL BILL.
HEARING GIVEN BY THE HOUSE
RULES COMMITTEE
To Representatives and Senators Who
Are Interested in the Completion
of the Waterway.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE House
Committee on Rules to-day gave an
audience to a number of Representa-
tives and Senators principally from the
Pacific Coast who are interested in the
Nicaragua Canal bill Among those
present We're Representative Hermann
and Ellis of Oregon, Doolittle of Wash
ington, Loud, Bowers, Barham and Hill
born of California, Joy of Missouri, Ma
hon of Pennsylvania and Senators Nc
Bride and Perkins of Oregon and Cali
fornia respectively.
Doolittle, who is a member of the
House Commerce Committee which
framed the measure, read it at length
and explained its various sections.
He was interrupted from time to time
by the members of the Rules Commit
tee, who questioned him closely re-
speeding the practicability of the
scheme, the engineering difficulties to
be encountered, the cost of the water
way and the effects of the Governments
guarantee Of the bonds. Some doubt
was expressed as to the feasibility Of
the canal.
Doolittle thereupon explained to the
committee how thoroughly the engineer
officers of the Maritime Canal Com
pany had suggested the route and how
fully their work was supplemented by
that of the special Engineer Commits
sion which went to Nicaragua for the
same purpose in July, 1895. He showed
that the United States Engineer Com
mission had said that the canal could
be built, but that the only difference of
opinion between them and the Maritime
Company was as TO the sum necessary to
complete 1t.
Speaker Reed explained at one point
in the proceedings that he had always
been satisfied of the practcability of the
enterprise; that ne was partial to any
legislation that would benefit the Pa
cifc slope, in which he was always in
terested, and that he did not doubt it's
great benefit to the people residing on
both the Atlantic and Pacific Slopes. But
he desired specific information respect
ing the atmospheric and physical condi-
lions TO be encountered, and he inquired
particularly as to the possibility Of
cloudbursts and earthquakes.
10 these inquiries Doolittle replied,
quoting from the report made by the
engineer officers, as we'll as from the re-
ports of the Maritime Company.
Hermann, speaking as a citizen Of the
Pacific slope. pointed out the canals
ADVANTAGES in developing that region,
and claimed that It's beneficial results
would be apparent Immediately upon
its completion. He explained how
greatly commerce had been benefited by
the opening of the Suez Canal. and he
smoke al length If the advantages that
are derived from the Sault Ste Marie
! Canal which had opened UP a sparsely
settled country. given an enormous i'm
retus TO the iron ore industry, and re-
suited in the Upbuilding Of a commerce
twice that Of the Suez Canal The coun-
! try developed by this canal was an en-
/ nlre in extent, which could not have
+ had It's present state Of perfection with
cut the cheap rates afforded by the
canal.
IT was suggested by the members of
tire Rules Committee that the bill should
+ ae so amended as to require O further
survey to determine the feasibility Of
/ the canal and its cost before the Govern
mont should be committed to the enter
/ prise.
/ III the Rules Committee permit the bill
/ to come up for discussion, it is claimed
/ if will pass by a large majority, as it is
understood 70 have the support of all
the Republican members except a score
/ or 50. and about sixty Of the Democrats
/ In addition.