The evening times., 1900-05-01
THE HEPBURN CANAL BILL
Considered by the House in COm-
hittee Of the Whole.
It's Provisions Explained by the
Foreign Commerce Committee.
The Chair TO Decide the q restion
Whether Speeches Shall Be Limited

waters Of the Atlantic and Pacific d. ans"
! colloquy ensued between Mr.. Hepburn.
Mr. Cannon Mr. Adamson. Mr.. Williams
OF Mississippi. Mr. Shackleford, and Mr..
Fletcher. as to the division Of the time for
debate. The proposition which Mr. Hep
burn advanced was that the time should be
divided between those making the majority
and minority reports. Mr. Cannon main
tanned that time should be allowed to those
who are opposed 10 canal legislation in
any form at this session. Mr. Shackelford
said he believed that no member could be
found who opposed a trans-Oceanic canal.
Before this question was determined, Er.
Hepburn obtained unanimous consent that
a session tonigr from 10 1870 shall be
held for debate on the bill. It was finally
agreed thar the Chairman o. the Commit
tee OF the Whole should determine the
questions OF time as they should arise The
House then went into Committee OF the
WLale with Mr.. Cooper OF WicOnsin in the
chair, and the clerk reported the bill
Mr.. Hepburn then sent 10 the clerks
desk a committee amendment changing
the phrases defend a canal to protect
canal" and such fertilization for d.
fence as VIII be required 10 such pro-
Mr.. Hepburn's Argument.
Mr.. Hepburn then addressed the House.
He said that the subject OF a ea-aI con-
Meeting the waters OF the Atlantis ard
Pacific oceans IS one that fer more than
half century has engaged the attention
Of the American people. Yet there was
always some person or some party who
would oppose and sidetrack the PROPOSE
tion- Reviewing the history Of the canal
movement he said that the praeticsbllity
Of this work is question that has been
thoroughly studied. As early as 1880 Col
q " Childs- an eminent civil engineer.
surveyed and located a canal route from
Lake Nicaragua 10 the Pacific Ocean He
also made careful examination OF tne
eastern divisions extending from the lake
70 the mouth OF the san Juan River. Con-
unuing Mr.. Hepburn said in part: ''Twen-
ty-tWo years later careful survey OF the
whole route was made by Commander
Lull OF the United States Navy. His
competency as an engineer is vOuched for
by his contemporaries. He spent much
time in a patient inyestig cation OF the sub
lecL He reported that the enterprise was
feasible Later Mr.. a. u. Menccal a
naval engineer Sho Is highly endorsed as
reliable and competent. under the direc-
ton OF the Maritime Canal Company.
made very elaborate surveys OF a route
from Greytown 10 Brito. and he estab-
lished line and made estimates CT its
cost These surveys and estimates were
submitted 10 a board OF i've practical en-
gineer occupying high places in their pro-
fession IA this country. Hls plans mex
with their hearty approval and were DO
nouneed by hem 10 5e emipeRtly prscti-
cable.
In 1895. under the authority Of Con-
gress, the President appointed a commits
sion, O. which Lieutenant Colonel now
Brigtdier General Ludlow. United States
Army was president Rear Admiral Endi-
oOtt. United States Navy, and Mr. Noble
a civil engineer Of great experience and
high repute. were the other members.
This commission spent many months in
personal examinations of the route, in
making additional surveys. and in study
ing the surveys and plans made BY others.
Their careful studies resulted in the opin-
ion that the enterprise OF constructing the
canal from an engineering standpoint was
feasible
Two years ago still another commission
was appointed by the President consist /
ing Of Rear Admiral John G. Walker. Unit |
ed States Navy; Col Peter c. Haines.
Corps OF Engineers. United States Army
and Prof. Lewis y. Haupt. This commits
SION also spent many months along the I
line of the projected canal AID in the (
study OF the reports and surveys made /
by their predecessors. They also added /
very largely to the surveys Heretofore |
made. They examined the work in all Of /
its aspects, studying the conditions OF the /
country, it's precipitation. its geological
formation. its liability TO seismic disturb |
anees, the labor supply. the cost of ma
terials, and ali OF the questions suggested /
TO prudent enquiry.
Their report in all OF its ample details I
has just been laid before US, together with .
the reports Of large number OF scientists I
and skilled engineers called 10 their sd 1
All agree that the canal can be constructs i
ed with all Of its sppurtenanees within 1
limits Of cost These reports /
above referred TO. the opinions Of the en- 4
einee.s and scientists believed 10 be en- /
tirely competent for their work justify 1
your committee in recommending the IN /
der;aking Of the enterprise as one that is l
entirely practicable and that can be CON- /
pleted for & sum of money the expendi- /
ture Of which will be wise"
The CIayiOn-BuIwer Treaty.
Mr.. Hepburn attacked the operative |
force Of the Clayton -BuIwer Treaty. No I
effort had been made BY either OF the con-
tracing parties TO carry out its provis- /
ons. He quoted Secretary Marcy, Presi- /
lent Pierce. Secretary Freiinghrysen, Sec
retary Blaine, and others to sustain this 4
position.
Mr.. Hepburn told the story of the vari- /
,us concessions 30 the old Atlas COMPANY
he Maritime Canal Company, and others.
de assailed the feasibility OF the Panama |
Canal He said that this route presented /
engineering problems that had not been
solved. Besides there was no assurance |
hat the United States could control the ca
lal. There were S256, 600 900 of stock in the 4
Canal scattered all over France. Il had been
/ favored investment With the people of |
France
Mr.. Hepburn said he favored an Amari- /
an canal under American protection This
sentiment called forth vigorous applause
He told OF the commercial advantages
which the canal would bring TO the United |
States.
Mr. Clark of NJ 5ouri interrupted Mr.
Hepburn by asking what would become OF
his bill if the Hay Psuncefote Treaty.
pending in the Senate. should be ratified /
Mr. Mann OF Illinois asked if body that !
would ratify the treaty would be apt TO
pass the Canal bill
Mr.. Hepburn said that il the pending
bill should be passed by the House with
IN overwhelming majority there would be
40 public official who would dare 70 20
agsinst the popula- WILL thus expressed
Mr. Clark said il was evident that there
s some public Official who cares nothing
Ior the Will or the wishes OF the people.
Mr., ShaeklefoTd followed Air. Hepburn,
In advocacy OF a canal which might be
fortified should this country so desire.
Mr.. Shackleford. in concluding. made
vigorous attack On England and the Brit