The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-14
Democrats to Cooperate with the
Iowan on the Floor of the House
to Secure Its Passage.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL
PRESIDENT AUTHORIZED TO NEGO-
TATE FOR RIGHT OF WAY.
Then He Must Direct the Secretary of
War to Proceed with the Con-
struction of the Canal.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-The House
committee on interstate and foreign com
merce at its first meeting to-day voted TO
favorably report the Hepburn bill. provid-
ing for the construction Of the Nioaraguan
canal Representative Fletcher, of Mime
sota was the only member voting against
reporting 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 100000 as provided by the bill shall
be made on warrants signed by the Presi-
dent of the United States. Other amend
ments fixing a maximum and minimum
depth for the canal were voted down, the
desire being to retain the original form OF
the Hepburn bill as near as possible.
Chairman Hepburn was directed to urge
the measure to consideration and vote
in the House at the earliest practicable
time.
Mr. Hepburn said after the meeting that
he would push the bill in the House as one
of the first measures to be taken up after
the holidays. The unanimity of the COM
mittee to-day was gratifying to the friends
of the canal measure. Mr.. Adamson.
Democrat, of Georgia, moved to report the
bill, and the entire Democratic membership
of the committee voted for the bill. Mr..
AdamSon is also cooperating with Chair
man Hepburn on the floor of the House
with view to securing united action when
the measure comes up. The Hepburn Dill,
as finally agreed on and ordered reported
to-day, is as follows:
BE it enacted, etc, that the President
of the United States be and Is hereby
authorized to acquire from the states OF
Cocta Rica and Nicaragua for and in be-
hoIf Of he cd of lRh
portion of territory now belonging TO
Costa Rica and Nicaragua as may be de-
Sirable and necessary on which 10 eXca-
vate, construct and protect a canal of
such depth and capacity as will be suf-
ficient for the movement OF ships of the
greatest tonnage and draught now in use,
from point near Greytown, on the Carib-
bean sea, via Lage Nicaragua, TO Brito,
on the Pacific ocean, and such sum as
may be necessary to secure such control is
hereby appropriated out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Sec 2 That when the President has
secured full control over the territory in
section one referred to he shall direct the
secretary of war to eXcavate and construct
a canal and waterway from point the
shore of the Caribbean sea, near Greytown.
by way of Lake Nicaragua, to a point near
Erito, on the Pacific ocean. Such canal
shall be of sufficient capacity and depth as
that il may be used by vessels OF the larg-
est tonnage and greatest draught now in
use, and shall be supplied with all neces
the necessities OF vessels passing from
Greytown to Brito, and the secretary OF
war shall also construct such safe and
commodious harbors at the termini of such
canal and such provisions for defense rs
may be necessary for the safety and pro-
lection of said canal and harbOrs
Sec. g. That the President shall cause
such surveys as may be necessary for saiG
canal and harbors, and in the constructing
OF the same may employ such persons as
he may deem necessary.
Sec. 4. That in the excavation and con-
struction of said canal the San Juan river
and Lake Nicaragua. or such parts of each
as may be made available, shall be used.
Sec. 5. That in any negotiations with
the states of Costa Rica Nicaragua the
President may have the President is au-
thorized to guarantee to said states the use
of said canal and harbors upon such terms
as may be agreed upon for all vessels
owned by said states or by citizens thereof.
Sec. g. That the sum of Sl00O0,OC0 is
hereby appropriated out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated
toward the project herein contemplated,
and the secretary of war is further hereby
authorized to enter into a contract or con-
tracts for materials and work that may be
deemed necessary for the proper excavation
said canal. harbors and defenses, TO be paid
for as appropriations may from time &c
time be hereafter made, to be drawn on
warrants signed by the President, not &c
exceed in the aggregate $4,000 900"