The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-14
THE NICARAGUA
CANAL DISCUSSED
Successful Effort to Maintain Pro-
visions of Hepburn Bill.
PRESIDENT TO SIGN WARRANTS
The Bill for the Construction Of the Canal 10
Be Pushed to an Early Hearing.
Conditions Favorable to
the Canal.
PRESIDENT TO SIGN WARRANTS
nv Associated Press !

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 13.-The
House Committee on Interstate and For
eign Commerce at it's first meeting to-
day voted to favorably report the Hep
burn bill. providing for the construction
OF TIE Nicai0gua Canal.
Representative Fletcher (Minnesota)
was the only member voting against re-
porting the bill.
Before the vote was taken several
amendments were proposed One, by Mr..
Adamson, of Georgia, was agreed to,
providing that the expenditure of $1,000
0oO as provided by the bill. shall be made
on warrants signed by the President of
the United States. Other amendments
fixing a maximum and minimum depth
for the canal We're voted down. the de-
sire being to retain the original form of
the Hepburn bill as near as possible.
Chairman Hepburn was directed to urge
the measure to considera ton and 81 vote
in the House at the earliest practicable
time.
TO PUSH THE BILL.
Mr.. Hepburn said after the meeting
that, in accordance with the instructions
Of the committee, he would push the bill
to n hearing in the House at an early
day. He hopes 10 make the canal bill
one of the first measures to be taken
up after the holidays
The unanimty of the committee to-day
was gratifying TO the friends of the
canal measure. The motion TO report the
bill was made in the committee by
Democratic memEer, Mr.. Adamson, OF
Georgia. and the entire Democratic men,
bership of the committee voted for the
bill.
Mr.. Adamson is also cooperating with
Chairman Hepburn on the floor of the
House, with a view to securing united
action when the measure comes up.
TO ACQUIRE TERRITORY.
The bill as finally agreed upon au-
thorizes the President to acquire the
necessary territory from Costa Rica and
Nicaragua. for the construction of l-.e
canal. and the money to secure such con-
troll is appropriated. 1t is made the duty
OF the Secretary of War to cNcavate and
construct the canal from a point on the
shore of the Caribbean Sea, near
Greytown. by way of Lake Mica
ragua, to point near Brito,
on the Pacific Ocean Such canal shall
be of sufficient capacity and depth as
that it may be used by vessels of the
largest tonnage and greatest draft now
in use. and shall be supplied with all
necessary locks and other appliances to
meet the necessities of vessels passing
from tIreNtOWn TO Brlto. ana inc Secrc-
tary of War shall also construct such
safe and commodious harbors at the ter
mini of said cana. and such provisions for
defense as may be necessary for the
safety and protection of said canal and
harbors.''
The San Juan River and Lake Mica
ragua shall be used in the construction
of the canal. An agreement shall be
made with Costa Rica and Nicaragua
:, II Ton
millions are Appropriated toward the pro-
iect the total sum not to exceed In the
aggregate S1SO.OG0.O00.
Short Session of House.
(By Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-The House
was III session less than an hour to-day
and then adjourned until Tuesday. The
bill to temporarily provide revenue for
the Philippine Islands was reported by Mr..
PAYNE and Mr.. Richardson filed the mi
nority report BY unanimous consent an
order for the consideration of this bill on
Tuesday and Wednesday next was
adopted.
After some discussion by N1essrs. Can
non. Livingston Georgia. and Maddox
Georgia. the bill to extend the life of
The Industrial Commission was passed.
The Speaker announced the appointment
of the following regents of the Smlthson-
ian Institution: Messrs. Hit Qllinoisl,
Adams (Pennsylvania) and Dinsmore
(Arkansas).