Evening star., 1901-12-13
HEPBURN'S CANAL BILL
FAVORABLE REPORT TO THE HOUSE
AUTHORIZED.
Ten Millions Made Available Imme
diately, and Total of $1,SOO,-
900 IL Appropriated.

The agreement reached in executive ses-
sion of the Senate yesterday for vote on
the Hay-Pauncefote canal treaty next Mon
day will expediate legislation on the canal
bills now pending in Congress.
The House committee on interstate and
foreign commerce, today authorized a ia
vorable report on Mr.. Hepburn's canal bill.
which the House committee will urge in
preference to Senator Morgan's bill AS
amended today, the Hepburn bill is as fol-
lows:
To Acquire Necessary Territory.
That the President of the United States
be authorized 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
Rica and Nicaragua as may be desirable
and necessary on which to excavate, con-
struct and protect a canal of such depth
and capacity as will be sufficient for the
movements of ships of the greatest tom
mage and draft now in use, from a point
near Greytown, on the Caribbean sea, via
Lake Nicaragua, to Brto, on the Pacific
ocean; and such sum as may be necessary
to secure such control is appropriated out
of any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated.
To Construct Canal and HarbOrs.
When the President has secured fun con-
troll over the territory referred to he shall
direct the Secretary of War to eXcavate
and construct canal and waterway from
a point on the shore of the Caribbean sea,
near Greytown, by way of Lake Nicaragua,
to a point near Brito, on the Pacific ocean.
Such canal shall be of sufficient capacity
and depth as that It may be used by ves-
sells of the largest tonnage and greatest
draft now in use, and shall be supplied with
oh 1o,lye nr,1 tl,n~ 10 tD
meet the necessities of vessels passing from
Greytown to Brito, and the Secretary of
War shall also construct such safe and COM
modious harbors at the termini Of the ca
nal and such provisions for Defense as
may be necessary for the safety and protec-
tion of the canal and harborS. The Pres-
dent shall cause such surveys may be
necessary for the canal and harbors, and
In the constructing Of the same may employ
such persons as he may deem necessary.
In the excavation and construction of
the canal the San Juan river and Lake
Nicaragua, or such parts of each as may
be made available, shall be used.
In any negotiations with the states Of
Costa Rica Nicaragua the President
may have, the President is authorized to
guarantee to them the use of the canal and
harbors, upon such terms as may be agreed
upon. for all vessels owned by the states
or by citizens thereof
The Appropriation.
The sum of ten millions of dollars is ap-
propriated toward the project herein con-
templated; and the Secretary of War is
further authorized to enter into a contract
or contracts for materials and work that
may be deemed necessary for the proper ex-
cavation construction defense and compile
tion of the canal, harbors and defenses, to
be paid for as appropriations may from
time to time be hereafter made on war
rants to be drawn by the President Of the
exceed in he
waite one hundred and eighty million dol
lars 80