The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-02
DEPARTMENT Of INTERIOR.
ANNUAL Rcronr or TINE sECRE-
TARV GIVEN OUT.
NsMher 81 Pensioners shows slight
Failing on ssggestea Amend
nents TO the Law-Repert Of the
Maritime Canal Co. Of Nicaragua.

WASHINGTON. Dec. The annual re-
port OF Secretary OF the Interior Hitch
cock. made public tonight. while summing
UP the work in all the bureaus. Is OF spe-
cfai interest by reason Of its statements
regarding pension policies.
At the close OF the fiscal year there were
eel. hle pensioners. a decrease OF s,lss dur
Ing the year. The average annual value
OF all pensions was sixsl. The Spanish
war probably viii Increase the pension roll
during the coming fiscal year. The secre-
tary concurs In the recommendations pro-
viding that no pension be granted TO coni-
mence prior to the date OF ding the claim.
and urges legislation TO definitely construe
the act OF June a. 1870. relating TO widows
pensions Regarding this he says.
In order to more exactly define the
words means OF support i approve the
Recommendation OF the commissioner OF
pensions that the act OF June y. 1880, he
so amended that a pension be granted TO
widows whose income, independent OF the
proceeds OF their daily labor. Is not In
excess Of $50 per annum-"
The report also recommends legislative
authority for biennial examinations Of PEN
sioners; legislation prohibiting the pay
ment Of ANY compensation whatever to
pension attorneys and agents for any ser
vice in connection with any claim or Pro-
ceedlng under the pension laws. except as
such may be within certain limits to be
fixed by congress"
Report ON Nicaragua Canal.
Secretary Hitchcock makes public an adj
vanced report Of the Maritime Canal Com
pany Of Nicaragua, dated December next,
setting forth that since the organization
of the company 1e,14S shares Of the cap
itai stock have been subscribed for at par.
amounting In the aggregate to the sum OF
$I.1ei,5o0. of which amount Sizes, $50 has
been paid into the treasury In cash: thaf
there has been paid into the treasury from
other sources slsST'S-5l, making the total
amount OF cash received $t.1ei ,6de.S1. The
company has paid for property. work and
labor done and materials furnished for the
construction OF the canal and In the adj
ministration si.eoi, 1T27o In cash. 81 so
shares OF the fun paid capital stock OF the
company Of the par value OF Slssov.
$50 900 OF its firs, mortgaEe bonds and ITS
mortgage bonds II has also issued lS oO
shares Of Its capital stock OF the par value
Of Sls00o.N0e In payment for concessonary
rights. privileges. franchises ana osner
The liabilities Of the company consist
OF amounts st:li due under the cornerstone
granted to the company, OF the s,sS% w o.
bonds before mentioned. the eaid bones De-
ing due to the assignee Of the Nicaragua
Canal Construction Company FOR Work ana
labor done and materials furnished IN the
execution OF THO WORN Va SvASta
canal and other such liabilities outstanding
and unpaid to an amount not exceeding
The assets OF the company consist Of its
unused capital stock. OF the $5lS,500 nrst
mortgage bonds, and of the 24ao shares OF
capitai stock received In iiauidation as
aforesaid the concession, rights, privileges
and franchises which II now owns, ano OF
the plant, equipment and other property
In Central America.
Protests Against other Concessions.
The congressional assertion Of Its right
TO determine the lire of canal through MIC
sion of the company. according TO tho COM
pany. caused uncertainty as TO finai icca-
ton Of the route. and with other causes
made the resumption OF the work OF con-
struction impossible. The company incios-
es two formal protests. one dated December
2. 1888 and the other September s lSss TO
Secretary Hay, against the agreement oy
the Nicaraguan government tof ano.ne.
canal concession in violation OF the rights
of not only the company but OF the United
States and Costa Rica-
Land which Can he Irrigated.
The report estimates the irrigable area
of the arid region of the United States at
7A00O 600 acres. capable Of comfortably sup
porting under q proper irrigation system
so COO 90 people. Reasonable expenditures,
both by the Federal and state goverrmen ts,
looking to q well-defined irrigation system.
are urged. Nearly fifty proposed new Tor
est reserves or additions to those already
established are under consideration. The
has not yet arrived for the installation OF q
territorial or state government in the In
dian territory, owing mainly to lack or
uniform land tenures.