Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-28
Mr.. BURROWS DECLARATION
Better Failure of Riverand Harbor Bill Than
Canal Amendment.
Mr.. Hepburn Does Not Expect the
Measure to he Arbitrarily Held
Up by the Committee.

The status of the river and harbor bill,
with the Nicaragua canal amendment, re-
manned unchanged today owing to the
action of the committee in adjourning over
until tomorrow. Representative Hepburn
who has been most active in advancing the
canal amendment, said today that he would
not credit reports that the committee would
hold the bill in order to defeat the canal
amendment. He believes the committee
would not arbitrarily deny to the House a
right to express its wish. But If they did
adopt such a course. Mr.. Hepburn said
there was no parliamentary procedure by
which the bill could be taken from the
committee. Chairman Burton of the river
and harbor committee authorized the fol-
lowing statement today:
In my opinion it Is better that the en-
tire river and harbor bill should suffer de-
feat than to have 1t made the vehicle for
carrying through vast project involving
Sll5,NO000 with only a few hours consider
alton In the House. Serious as the defeat
Of the river and harbor bill would be it
would be merely the choice of the lesser
of two evils.
so far as l am personally concerned
regard other amendments added by the SEN
ate as very objectionable. When the bill
left the House it carried less than $30,O00
GU 1t returns to us with appropriations or
authorizations for $15s. 900; with implied
ects and partial appropriations for them
amounting to s25,GN,e10 more 1t will thus
appear that our bill returns to us increased
IN amounts five or six times. Such change
Is hardly within the range of reasonable
amendment. 1t might just as well be called
Il NE" bill, including project of vast i'm
pcrtance which the committee and the
House are asked to pass upon after few
hours consideration"
MFR. Burton's Substitute.
Mr.. Burton's substitute for the Senate
Nicaragua canal amendment reads:
The government of the United States de-
clares its purpose to secure at the earliest
practicable date the construction of a canal
connecting the Atlantic and the Pacific
oceans. A board of seven engineers shall
be appointed by the President to make the
surveys and examinations necessary to as
certain the most desirable and practicable
route for such canal and for the perform
ance of such other duties as the President
may direct: three from the Corps of En-
sineors Of the army, two from the engi
neers of the navy and two from civil life.
The board shall investigate the proposed
routes for Il canal between the said oceans,
giving special ana persona attention to the
sO-caled Nicaragua and Panama routes,
and shall complete estimate of the probable
cost of constructing such canal or canals.
They shall also report upon the commercial
and military value to the people of the
The President may enter into negotia-
tons with the respective nations owning
the territory through which such canal or
canals may be constructed in order to OBJ
tain the necessary land for the construction
Of suitable canal, and to acquire such
rights i'll natural waterways may be nee
essary. He is also requested to enter into
such negotiations he may deem neces-
sary with any other nation having rights
in any way connected with the construction
or operation Of such canal canals. The
President shall acquire. if possible. the ab-
solute title to necessary territory, but If
such absolute title cannot be obtained he
may acquire such rights or easements
therein as may be required. and may cause
investigation to be made to ascertain the
route upon which terms most favorable to
exclusive control by the United States can
be obtained; but in no case shall obligation
be incurred or money paid to any company
or Individual for rights, easements or priv
ileges heretofore or hereafter acquired with
view to the construction of any such canal
except under authority given by further
action Of Congress.
''One million dollars is appropriated 10
carry out the act.
THE information obtained or action that
may he taken shall be reported to Congress
at the beginning of the next regular ses-
SION"