The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-18


WASHINGTON, Feb 1T-chalrman Hep
burn OF the house committee on interstate
and foreign commerce, today submitted the
report of the committee in favor OF the
Hepburn bill for constructing the Ncara-
guam canal The report says In part;
'If the provisions Of the bill can be car
ried out the United States win within
few years be In full ownership and control
of a waterway connecting the oceans that
IT can defend, and that II can use In the In
terests of its navy and its merchant marine
as wisdom may dictate.
Advantages to Central America
''There seems to be but little doubt that
the states of Nicaragua and Costa Riea
will give their consent for the construction
OF this great work. 1t will traverse either
the border or the interior of Nicaragua for
a distance of about 1870 miles
ut Will give TO that state waterway
from its capital and it's most productive
region to the sea. II viii place that coun-
try on one OF the great waterways OF the
world bringing It into immediate contact
with a large foreign commerce and those
who conduct 1t. In very many ways the
state will have advantages not now pos
SeSSeO ana tnAt VIII pc Aof II WIS tAiA0 'V'N
II another route by which the oceans are
connected should he adopted. All OF these
considerations induce the belief that these
two enlightened states VIII be glad to AID
our government cordially and efficiently
in carrying out this great design
Reviews of the Several surveys.
After reviewing the several surveys the
report continues:
These reports above referred to. the
opinions of the engineers and scientists
believed to be entirely competent for their
work justify your comInittee In recon-
mending the undertaking of the enterprise
as one entirely practicable and one that
can he completed for sum OF money the
expediture of which will be wise,
various Opinions ms TO Cost.
81, is true that the estimates OF cost are
variable, ranging as they do from less than
si00O0,oco to a possible sik,cta,oo. II is.
however, proper 10 say that the size and
character OF the canal estimated Tor Is as
variable as Is the cost"
Estimates of the Probable Income.
Dealing with the varying estimates as
to the probable income of the canal, the
report says:
"Oue gentleman has said that in his
Judgment not more than 10000 tons
would pass through the canal annually.
Another has said that 100000 tons
would pass through the canal. Gentle
men connected with the Maritime Canal
Company gave IL as their opinion that
nve or six millions az tonnage would be
the amount that would pass through the
canal annually. or course we have the
right TO assume that whatever the
amount be, St would be an Increasing
amount from year 10 year. At present
sls5 per ton is the toll charged for the
use OF the Suez canal II that rate was
the rate charged at the Nicaragua canal.
and four millions be the tonnage passing
through Il, an aggregate sum Of more
than six million dollars would be the re-
ceipts- 1t is estimated that the cost of
maintaining and operating the canal
would he fi.ooo,eoo annually.
wiiI Repay It's Cost.
'tf the United States borrowed the
money to invest IN the enterprise this
sum would pay the annual interest thc
cost of maintaining and operating, and
icnve a surplus % moro than "A million
dollars And with the increasing tonnage
We might reasonably hope for such ac-
eumuiations Of surplus that would Ia a
few years fully reimburse the govern
mcnt for ita outlay
CIaIm. of Corcessionstres.
your committee are aware that there
are a number Of persons who ciasFn 10
have concessions from the governments
Of Nicaragua and Costa nlca. iuvestin.
them with rights 20 navigate the san
Juan river and Lake Nicaragua. Others
claim To be Authorized 10 construct this
great waterway connecting the oceans
But Il 10 believed BY your committee that
these rights have either iapsed or are Of
inronHlAernhio value. or have been OBJ
talnea for speculative purposes How
ever this may be. t should b. the purptse
~ the government to deal directly with
the governments Of Nicaragua and Costa
Rica These governments can adjus; an
questions growing out Of these couees-
slous much more easily than the United
States II Is our opinlon that the people
% the United States want a government
canal one that viii be completely under
,ne coneroi os the United States.
why the Canal = Needed.
AFTER ailgGing 20 the possible interna-
iiouaI objections 10 the auiIding and cop-
trol q thu canal by this nation alone.
owing 70 the advantages that would accrue
to tho United States navy. the report says.
I'VE want to increase our power upon
the high seas our people are intent on
having their fun share OF the commerce of
the world This canal is ala Ia that d.
rectiou II Is true that II viii disturb the
conditions that now exist, but every effort
that the successful merchant makes is an
EFFORT 20 disturb this equality and 10 sl-
cure advantages for himself Steamships
Instead OF sail vessels. the huge vessel Of
Continued on Page Nina