The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1900-01-13
T0DIG THE DITCH
Hepburn Nicaragua Canal Bill
Reported Favorably to the
House.
1t Authorizes the President to
Cause the Canal to Be
Constructed
Through War Department, and
Appropriates Sl4O,OOO,OOO
For the Work.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l3.-The house
committee on interstate and foreign
commerce has ordered a favorable re-
port upon the Hepburn bill for the con-
struc,ion Of the Nicaraguan canal. The
bill is practically the same one reported
by this committee in the last congress.
There was some discussion about the
advisability Of delaying action on the
bill until the Isthmian canal commis-
sion reported, but this was finally re-
garded as unnecessary. and all the
memb bers except Mr. Fletcher (Minn.)
voted TO report the bill favorably. The
| latter said his silence should not be
construed as opposition to the neasuse,
but merely as reservation Of his right
10 support or oppose it, after further
some changes in the original bill. in.
serting a new section 3. and making
verbal alterations. AS finally agreed
to the bill is as follows:
TO provide for the construction Of a
canal connecting the waters Of the At
lantic and Pacific oceans.
BE II enacted, etc, that the president
Of the United States be and Is hereby
authorized 10 obtain from the states OF
Costa Kica and Nicaragua. for and in
behalf Of the United States, control Of
such portion Of the territory now be-
longing to Costa Rica and Nicaragua
as may be desirable and necessary on
which to excavate. construct and de-
| fend a canal Of such depth and capacity
as will be sufficient for the movements
Of ships Of the greatest tonnage and
draft now in use. from point near
Graytown. on the Caribbean sea, via
Lake Nicaragua to Breto, on the Pacific
ocean: and such sums as may be neces.
sary to secure such control are hereby
appropriated out of any money in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Section = That when the presiden;
has secured full control Of the territory
in Section referred to. he shall direc,
the secretary Of war to excavate and
construct q canal and waterway from q
point on the shores Of the Caribbean sea
near Greytown. by way Of Lake Mica
ragua, to point near Breto. on tn,
Pacific ocean. Such canal shall be o.
sufficient capacity and depth as that i
may be used by vessels Of the larges
tonnage and greatest depth now in use
and shall bc supplied with all necessar,
locks and other appliances to meet th'
necessities Of vessels passing from Grey
town to Breto. and the secretary Of wa
shall also construct such safe and com
modious harbors at the terminl Of sal,
canal, and such Notifications for de
feuse as will be required for safety an,
protection OF said canal and harbors.
Sec s. That the president shall caus
such surveys as may be necessary 70
said canal aud harbo,s. and III the con
s,ruc,ing of the same.
Sec. 1. That in the excavation an
construction of said canal. the Sal
, Juan river and Lake Nicaragua. o
such parts Of each rs may be mad
available. shall be used.
Sec. ). That in any negotiations Wit
, the states of Costa Rica or Nicaragua
, the president may have. the presiden
is authorized to guarantee TO said state
the use OF said canal and harbors. upo
such terms rs may be agreed npon. 70
, all vessels owned by said states or b
citizens thereof.
Sec. q. That the sum Of $40. .OOU. on
or SO much thereof as may be nece.
sary. is hereby appropriated out of an
money in the treasury not otherwise al
propriated. for the completion Of tn
work herein authorized. said money I
be drawn from the treasury from tim
: TO time as the same shall be needle
upon warrants of the president. base
l upon estimates made and verified b
: the chief engineer in charge OF tn
Q work and approved by the secretary {
D war.