The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-11-16

NEW YORK. Nov. IA special TO
the Tribune from washington says:
Representative W. H. Hepburn OF
Iowa has just returned to Washington
Mr. Hepburn was chairman in the last
house Of the committee on interstate
and foreign commerce-the committee
that has charge Of the Nicaragua canal
quarantine and railway and-scalping
and pooling legislation. He said in an
interview:
Il shall introduce Nicaraguan
canal bill on the first day Of the ses-
sion and win push Il to action. The op-
ponents OF the canal gained something
in the way OF postponemeni when they
succeeded in lnterpolating in the last
river and harbor bill a provision for
a new commission to investigate all
the proposed routes across the isthmus. ,
The Nicaraguan route has been recent
ly investigated by careful commission
which had made most elaborate pro- /
vision, and submitted most satistac- !
tory report. but by contending that the
Panama route had been neglected the
postponemert Of the whole matter was
secured.
THE new reports inform US that the
committee viii not be able to report
at this session. The friends Of Pana-
ma will, Of course. throw all possible
obstacles in the way Of the United |
States building the Nicaraguan canal.
as the construction Of the canal will
preclude the building Of others. The
Panama commission say that S1eO, ,OO0.-
OaO will be required to finish their canal.
1t is certain that they can never raise
any considerable part Of this sum IL It
is known that the United States gov
ernmem intends to build the Nicara-
qua canal
Other companies. such as the Mari |
time Canal Company. the Cragin- Erie
syndicate ana another whose name Il
forget, but which operated a steamboat
and railway line across the ;sthmus in
the early 5os, also claim interests The
Cragin people claim that they hold a
right 10 a concession that took effect
on October 10 when the Maritime Com
pany's rights expired Just what value
the alleged concession has, am not
prepared to say. For my part, do not
think the United States need bother
about any Of these concessions.
"I have no doubt that Costa Rica
and Nicaragua will be glad TO give the
United States any territory and any
rights it may need TO prosecute ard
complete the canal. The canal question
is Of overwhelming Importance in the
developemeut Of both countries and
they are anxious to have it built. There
is no doubt that the house would have
acted at the last session II it could
have come to vote and there Is no doubt
that both branches II congress favor
the enterprise. How much the opposi-
tion can delay matters I cannot say"
Are you in favor Of the proposed
new demand Of comnierce?"
THAT matter was gone into at the
last session. A number Of men were
heard on it, and l hope they will re.
new their Efforts at the coming session
but am not prepared to say how th'
matter is regarded by the committee. >
Are YOU in favor Of an extension o.
the quarantine laws?"
II am, but there is a great diyerslt,
OF opinion in the committee on thi
point. The southern members general
Iy are willing that the governmen
should pay the money for nationa
system, but they want to select the me
to spend it. The large cities also oh
ject. Some Of them collect large sum
of money for the inspection Of vessels
and spend it in salaries much large
than the United States governmer
pays. New York, FOR instance, collect
some $4,000 or 100000 annually and pay
its health officers $4,000 a year.
''In my judgment all this work shoul
be done by the United States govern
ment alone, but as long as the state