The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-15
NOW BEFORE THE SENATE
The Canal Bill Reported Favorably
Without Amendment.
The Hepburn Proposition for an
American Isthmtan Waterway Snv-
ed From Committee Burial by the
Vote of Senator McBride-NtctOry
for Morgan and Defeat for Hanna.

The Senate Committee on Inter- Oceanic
Canals yesterday. by majority vote, de-
cided TO report favorably and without
amendment the Hepburn Nicaragua Canal
bill providing for the construction OF
waterway between the Atlantic and Pa
cifc Oceans This result was effected
after three hours deliberation and was
brought about by the vote of Senator Nc
Bride of Oregon, who voted with the DEM
ocrats in favor of an American isthmian
waterway and against the forces headed
by Senator Hanna.
Senator Morgan, chairman of the COM
mittee. Immediately reported the bill TO
the Senate and it was placed on the cal
endar
Senator Morgan was during the day the
recipient of many congratulations on his
success In bringing the bill out of COM
mi.tee The friends of the measure Will
rush il to a vote in the Senate. and ex-
press themselves as confident of its early
passage. The action of Senator Mcbride
in voting with the Democrats is regarded
as a direct thrust-at Senator Hanna ana
his methods:
The bill as reported follows:
United States be. and is hereby, authorized
to acquire from the States of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua, for and in behalf OF the
United States. control of such portion OF
territory now belonging to Costa Rica and
Nicaragua as may be desirable and neces-
sary on which to excavate, construct, and
protect a canal as may be suhicient. for
the movements of ships Of the greatest
tonnage and draft now in use. from point
near Greytown, on the Caribbean Sea, via
Lake Nicaragua. to Breto, on the Pacific
Ocean; and such sum as may be necessary
to secure such control is hereby appro-
priated out of any money in the Treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
Section 2 That when the President has
secured full control over the territory in
section 1 referred to he shall direct the
Secretary of War to excavate and construct
a canal and waterway from point on the
shore of the Caribbean Sea. near Grey
town. by way of Lake Nicaragua, to a
point near Breto. on the Pacific Ocean
Such canal shall be of sufficient capacity
and depth as that 1t may be used by yes
sells of the largest tonnage and greatest
depth now in use. and shall be supplied
with all necessary locks and other appli-
ances to meet the necessities of vessels
passing from Greytown to Breto: and the
Secretary Of War shall also construct such
mini of said canal, and such provisions for
defence, as may be necessary for the safety
and protection OF said canal and harbors.
Section g. That the President shall
cause suoh surveys as may be necessary
for said canal and harbors and In the con-
structing of the same and employ such
persons as he may deem necessary.
Section 4. That in the excavation and
construction of said canal the San Juan
River and Lake Nicaragua, or such parts OF
each as may be made available, shall be
used
Section 5. That in any negotiations
with the States of Costa Rica or Nicaragua
the President may have, the President is
authorized to guarantee to said States the
use of said canal and harbors, upon sue.
terms as may be agreed upon, for all YES
sells owned by said States or by citizens
thereof
THAT the sum Of 100000 is hereby
appropriated, out of any money in tbs
Treasury not otherwise appropriated. to-
ward the project herein contemplated and
the Secretary OF War is further hereby
authorized to enter into contract or con-
tracts for materials and work that may be
deemed necessary for the proper excava-
tion, construction, defence, and compile
tion of said canal TO be paid for as ap-
preparations may from time to time be
hereafter made, not to exceed in the aggre-
~afa 81 sO 0ftO 600 ~