New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-13
FOR THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
=
THE HEPBURN BILE aFAvoRABLY RE-
PORTED BY THE HOUSE COM
Il MERGE / COMMITTEE. .

. Washington, Jam 1z,-The House Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce to-day. ordered
favorable report the Hepburn bill for the con-
structon of the Nicaragua Canal. The bin is prac-
tically the same as the one reported by this com
mittee in the last Congress. Where was some dis
.cussion about the advisabity of delaying action
until the Isthman Canal Commission reported, but
this finally regarded unnecessary and all
the members except Mr. Fletcher, of Minnesota,
voted to report the bill favorably. The latter said
his silence should not be construed opposition to
the measure. but merely as a reservation of his
right to support oppose 1t after further con-
sideration. The committee made some changes in
the original BILL inserting new Section and
making verbal alterations. AS finally agreed to
the bill is follows:
To provide Tor the construction of a canal
Meeting the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific
Be it enacted, etc
Is ereb Se aorsed S5 .Gs from the
Costa Rica and Nicaragua for and in behalf OF
ry ho% 6ongns d COSTA 2d Rc 1d Nicaragua
may be desirable and necessary on which to ex-
cavate, construct and defend canal OF such depth
and capacity az will be sufficient for the movement
OF SHIPS or the greatest tonnage and dranght now
bean Sea, via Lake Nicaragua, to Brite, on the
to secure such control are hereby appropriated out
of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appro-
Sec. 2 That when the President has secured fun
he shall direct the Secretary Of War to excavate
and construct canal and waterway from point
by way Of Lake Nicaragua. to point near Brit9
hcient capacity and depth that 1t may be used
by vessels of the largest tonnage and greatest
depth in use, and shall be supplied with all
necessary locks and other appliances to meet the
necessities of vessels passing from Greytown to
Brito: and the Secretary Of War shall also con
struct such safe and commodious harbors at the
termni of said canal, and such Notifications for
defence VIII be required for safety and protec-
ton of said canal and harborS
Sec. g. That the President shall cause such
veys may be necessary for said canal and har-
eors and in the constructing Of the same.
Sec. 4. That In the excavation and struction
OF said canal the San Juan River and Lake Mica
ragua, such parts of each may be available,
shall be used
Sec. s. 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 rharbors
upon such terms may be agreed upon for all
vessels owned by said States by citizens thereof
Sec. g. That the sum of $140.000.000 so much
thereof as may be necessary is hereby appropriated
out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise ap-
proprated for the completion of the work herein
authorized said money to be drawn from the Treas
ury from time to time the shall be needed
upon warrants of the President based on estimates
made and verified by the chief engineer in charge
of'the work and approved by the Secretary OF War.