The times., 1899-02-28
Mr.. BURTON'S PLAN TO
KILL TIE CANAL BILL
A Proposed Substitute to the
Senate Amendment.
The Panama People Appear With
More Propositions.
Text of the Resolution offered ny
the Chairman of the River and
Harbor Committee.

An attempt has been made 10 reGcn Il
compromise on the Nicaragua Canal
measure. Whether it will succeed cannot
be told at present.
The opponents of the canal. alarmed at
the strength developed by its friends, de-
cided to withdraw their opposition to the
general plan and to make their fight on
the proposition that the Senate amend
ment was badly drawn and should not
be adopted without serious consideration.
They we're willing to place a provision
for survey of the canal on the River
and Harbor bill, thus estopping them
selves from striking out on a point of
order further provisions for it in the Sum
dry civil bill next year. The compromise
carries Sl.00o,c00 for preliminary expenses.
On the other hand, the advocates of the
canal say that they have the game in their
hands and they object to investigating
the canal to death"
The compromise was prepared yesterday
by Chairman Burton of the River and
Harbor Committee, in the form of joint
resolution, and was introduced with the
intention OF having it referred back to that
committee, which is TO incorporate it in
the River and Harbor bill as a substitute
for the Senate Canal amendment. 1t is
not yet certain whether the committee
Will consent to this, nor as to what will be
the attitude of the House on the subject
II is understood that if the substitute is
adopted, Speaker Reed, Mr. Cannon, and
Mr.. Burton will all support the bill instead
of fighting it to the end.
The River and Harbor Committee sat
nearly all day yesterday considering the
bill. Admiral Walker was before them,
giving his ideas as to the cost and practi-
cability of the canal
AT an earlier hour the Panama people
had appeared and renewed their old argu-
ments in favor of their route. 1t was ru-
mored that they had offered to sell their
canal outright for 500. .000, 600. receiving
no pay until il was completed, but this was
incorrect. They merely offered positions
on the directorate. and facilities for the
purchase of stock by the United States.
The committee finally adjourned until
Wednesday morning. Following is the
Burton resolution in full:
Section J. The Govrenmnet of the U.,it4d States
declares s purpose 10 secure at the earliest prac-
ucahle date the construction of a canal connect
ing the A,laniic and the Pacific Oceans. Such
canal shall provide facilities for the passage of
ships equal those Of any existing similar canal
In connection with. or part OF said canal
such natural waterways OF parts thereof may he
used as may be available to assist in SECURING
communication between said oceans
Sec. ,. board of seven engineers shall lie ap-
pointed ly the President to make the surveys md
examinations necessary to ascertain the most de
sirable and practicable route for such canal and
for the performance OF such other duties as the
President may direct. Three OF them shall he Sc.
lected from the Corps Of Engineers of the United
states Amy; two from the engineers Of the navy
and two from civil life and said board shall in
cludc the engineers now appointed for a survey of
such canal. Their compensation shall be fixed by
the President, who il also authorized to make reg
ulations for the necessary expenses of said board
Sec. 3. Said board shall investigate the proposed
routes Tor canal between the said oceans giving
special and personal attention to the so-caIled
Nicaragllan and Panama routes, whether such
canals already commenced or are hereafter 10
he commenced. They shall prepare detailed sur
Neys oi the route or routes investigated by them
ana regarded as affording the hest practicable
route or routes between said oceans, but they NAV
use part Of such surveys such existing data as
may be available. and shan complete estimates of
the probable cost OF constructing such canal or
canals. They shall survey and prcIG.rr detailed
estimates "f the cost of providing conlnodiors
laIbor~ at the terminl OF said canal or canals and
II hereafter directed hy the President the pIgn
and cost Of such fortificatons for defense as may
be required for the convenience and safety of ain
vessels desiring 10 use the same They shall also
rrpo'' upon the commercial and military value 10
the people OF the United States OF such canal
route "t routes, and shan proceed in general ac-
coTdanoc with existing statutes and regulations
pertaining 10 river and harbor work
Sec. 1. The President may enter into nerotia
lions with tho respective nations owning The terri
tory through which such canal or canal, NAV bo
constructed ~ order 10 obtain the necessary land
Tor the construction of a suitable canal and TO ac
quirc such rights in natural waterways as NAV be
necessary. lie Is also requested to enter INTO such
negotiations a. he may deem necessary with anv
other nations having rights in any way connected
With the construction operation OF such canal or
canals. The President shall acquire If possible
III" absolute title to Necessary TERRITORY but ii
such absolute title cannot be obtained he NAV sc
qnrc such rights or easements therein as may he
required and may cause investigation to be Inadr
10 ascertain the route upon which terms mo.t
favorable "a exclusive control hy the fitod States
can b" obtained, but in shall obligation he
Incurred OF money paid 10 any company or in
diNldual for rights easements, or privileges here
toforc nr hereafter acquired with a view 10 Tho
construction o; any such canal except under
authority given by further action of Congrrss
Sec. !. For the making OF said surveys and csti
mates and The Investigations pertaining 10 said
canal. together with the necessary negotiations for
the territory and privileges necessary to be ar
CURED. the sum OF one million dollars Is hereby
appropriated out Of any money in tho Treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. q. such Information may be obtained or
action may bc taken. under the provisions Of
this act, pertaining to this subject. shall lie re-
ported 10 Congress at the beginning OF the next
regular session.