Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-27
OPPOSITION DISCLOSED
Feeling in the River and Harbors Commit
tee.
csn.iaeri' q,e Nicaragua Cana,
Anne nd m Pst Asl''ed by the Senate
MrBu+ton's Substitute.

The river and harbor committee gave
hearings tod on the river and harbor bill
as amended by the Senate. Admiral Walk
er, head ofEhe Nicaragua canal commits
sion, was lard ON the Nicaragua canal
amendmentFbut AZ the commission has not
reported the hearing was secret. Repre-
sentatives of the Panama Canal Company
also were heard Their statements were
similar to those recently submitted to the
house committee on commerce, with the
addition of a written statement presented
TO chairman Burton, detailing their plans
and purposes.
The committee then held an extended Sc
cret SeSSi IN. 50
1he statement made by Maurice Hutin.
director general of the new Panama Canal
company. recired the present condition of
the canal and made proposition to the
government TO have its works examined by
a committee or commission and then
makes the following offer:
Wh1le the new Panama Canal Company
does not seek any government aid 1t rec
oenzes the national sentiment in favor of
acquiring some pecuniary interest in any
canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans. Fherefore, the new Panama Canal
Company declares that it, as the result of
any investigation. the government of the
Cnted states adopts The Panama route
the company, II the government so DESIRES
VIII reincorporate under the laws of the
state or New York (under the laws of which
state the Panama Railroad Company has
existed for nearly fifty years.. or of some
other state of the Union, subject to the
provisions of its concession, and vest it's
concessions and property in such corpora
tion. 1T VIII also in said event accord to
the UNITED States such representation in
Its board of directors and such opportunity
10 acquire an interest in its securities as
may be permitted by its concessions which
of course, must be scrupu,ously observed
The committee took a recess until go
CLOCK without having acted on any Of the
subjects involved
Opposed to the Amendment
Chairman Burton stated after the meet
ing of the committee that the sentiment of
the committee is opposed to the Senate
Nicaragua canal amendment and favored
government investigation of both the Pan
anna and Nicaragua routes. He introduced
resolutions for investigation by board of
seven engineers of routes, cost, etc, and
Tor acquiring by the President of right of
way and for an appropriation of 81 900 600
FOR surveys, etc. Express provision is made
that in no case shall any obligation be in
CURED or money paid to any company or
Individual for rights, etc. This will be
proposed as a substitute for the Senate
Nicaragua canal amendment.
A Disposition to Hold the Bill.
1t has developed that there is a strong
disposition on the part of the river and
harbor committee to hold the river and
harhor bill in the committee until the close
OF the session. not giving the House an
opportunity TO vote on it,
While it has not''yet been definitely de-
cided to do So the plan is in contemplation
and is expected by members of the com
ihittce to be adopted. a very large major
ity of the committee oppose the Senate
amendments. and It is insisted that the bill
should be killed rather than permit the
Senate propositions to be adopted by the
House. IN
Some of the friends of the Nicaragua
canal amendment propose to move in the
House, If the, bill is reported. general con-
cnrrence il. all the Senate amendments.