The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-13
All Members Except One
Voted For 1t.
Mr.. Fletcher Witbholds His De-
cisiOn on Matter.

Washington, January l2.-The House
committee on interstate and foreign com
merce today ordered a favorable report
upon the Hepburn bill for the construc-
tion OF the Nicaragua canal.
The bill is practically the am one re-
port I'd by this committee In the last Con-
Qress. There was some discussion about
the advisability Of Delaying action on the
bill until the Isthmian camel commission
report, but this was finally regarded as
unnecssary, and nll the members except
MIR. Fletcher Of Minnesota, voted to re-
port the bill favorAbly. The latter said
his silence should not be construed rs
opposition to the measure but merely rs q
reser vntion OF his right to support or op-
pose II after further consideration. Inc
committee made some changes In the
original bill inserting q new section
three, authorizing the President to make
surveys, and making verosl alterations
As finally agreed to. the bill Is as fo,-
'ows:
To provide for the construction Of u
canal connecting the waters oil tbs AT
lantic and Pacific oceans.
Be 1t enacted, etc., that the President
of the United States be and 10 hereby au-
thorized to acquire from the states OF
Costa Rica and Nicaragua, for and In be-
half Of the United States control of such
portion Of territory now belonging to
Costa Rioa and Nicaragua as may he de
sirable and necessary on which to exca-
yate, construct and defend canal OF
such depth and oaIa1ity rs VIII be
su fiioieIt for the movement OF ships OF
the greatsgt tonnage and draft now In
use, from q point near Greytown on the
Caribbean sea. via Lake Nicaragua, to
Preto on the Pacific ocean, and such sums
as may bs necessary to secure such con
troll are hereby appropriated out OF any
IL oney In the treasury not otherwise ap- i
propriated.
Section ? THAT when the President
has occurred full control over tbs territory
In section one referred to. hs shall direct
the secretary of war to sxcavate and CON
struot a canal and waterway from q point
on the sbore OF the Caribbean sea, near
Greyt by way OF Lake Nicaragua to
a point nsar Breto. on the Pacific ocean.
Such canal shall be of sufficient capacity
and deyth as that 1t may be used by YES
sells of the largest tonnage and greatest
depth now In use and saal be supplied
with all necessary looks and other sppli-
ances to meet the neo, titles Of vessels
passing from GreytowD to Brsto; and the
secretary of war shall also construct such
safe aud comm cdious harbors at the ter
mini OF said canal and such Notifications
for defense as will be required for safety
and protection of said canal and harbors
Section 3,-That the President shall
cause such surveys as may be necessary
for said canal and harbors and In the
constructing OF the same.
Section 4.-That In the excavation and
construction OF said anal the Sar Ian
river and Lake Nicaragua, or such parts
of each as may be available, shall bs
used.
Section 5.-That in any negotiations
with the States of Costa Rios or Nicara
qua, the President may have, the Prssi
dsnt is authorized to guarantee to said
states the use Of said canal and barbors
upon such terms as may bs agreed upon,
for all vessels owned by said states or by
ci tizsns thereof.
Section That the sum Of Sl4o, 900. 900
or so much thereof as may be necessary. Is
hereby appropriated, out of any money In
the treasury not otherwise appropriated
for the com letion Of the work herein au-
thcrized, said money to be drawn from
the treasury from time to time, as the
same 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.