The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1902-01-09
MAKES Allow OFFER
New Proposition Presented by Pan
ANA Canal Company.

Washington, Jan. Ga formal prop
osition to sell the Panama canalproper-
ties to the United States government
for $40, 900 Saturday was submit
ted to the authorities here. 1t was
made by NJ. Boeufve, representing the
company, to Admiral Walker, as chair
man of the isthmian canal commission.
NJ. Boeufve acted under cable instruc-
tons received Saturday from the Pam
anna canal officials at Paris. Admiral
Walker brought the proposition to the
knowledge of the secretary of state
and the president, going directly to the
state department for that purpose.
The submission of this offer carries
out plan which has been under con-
sideration for the last two weeks. The
first step was taken when NJ. Hutin
retired from the presidency of the
Panama Canal company. This brought
about an entire change in the manage
ment, the main feature of the change
being that those in authority desired
to make definite offer of the Panama
properties to this government for S4O,-
100000. There have been numerous
meetings at Paris with this end in
view, but the one which brought about
the final proposition was held Friday.
1t had been the intention to make the
offer through Mr.. Edward Lampre,
secretary general Of the company, who
Is due to arrive at New York on the
steamer Aquitaine Sunday; but the
meeting appears to have taken view
that the offer should be made without
waiting for the arrival of Mr.. Lampre.
Accordingly the cable instructions
were forwarded to NJ. Boeufve. He
went at once to the Office OF the 18th
milan canal commission and advised
Admiral Walker of what had been the
determination of the company.
In substance the notification deliv-
cred to Admiral Walker was as fol-
lows:
1.-THE Panama Canal company declares
Itself ready TO transfer TO the government
of the United states on payment of A0,-
0O0 600 its properties and concessions, estl-
mated at that amount by theisthmiancanal
commission, in conformity with the terms
and conditions of the estimates Of said
commission"
Admiral Walker called at the state
department at noon and communicate
ed to Secretary Hay the offer which
NJ. Boeufve had submitted in behalf of
the canal company. The matter was,
soon after, brought to the attention
of the president.
President to Notify Congress.
1t can be stated that the president
will communicate the communication
to congress. This course will be pur-
sued because the administration
holds that the canal question is now
purely one for legislative determine
ton, and that as-eongress is about to
consider the subject it should have
possession of all facts that have come
to the knowledge of the executive
| branch.
The offer as made to Admiral Walk
err, and later communicated to the
president and secretary of state, re-
fers to the estimates of the isthmian
| commissions report. This feature of
the commissions report appears un-
der the caption: Total value of the
Panama canal" and is as follows:
Summing up the foregoing items. the
| total value of the property is found to be:
Excavations already done........S2 7 47l.0 O3
Panama railroad stock at par. 6, -, 900
| Maps, drawings and records....... 2OOO,OOQ
TO which add ten per cent. to cover omis-
slons. making the total valuation of the
Panama canal $4,000, 600"
Canal Bill In Congress.
Washington, Jan. 6.-After a recess
of almost three weeks. both houses
of congress will reconvene to-day. The
principal item on the house pro-
gramme for the week is the Hepburn
Isthmian canal bill. which is the spe-
cial order for Tuesday. No limit has
been fixed as to the time for debate
upon this measure, but Mr. Hepburn
| does not contemplate a prolonged dis
cussion of It. IT is surmised in some
; quarters, however, that If the PROPOSE
ton of the Panama Canal company to
sell its property and franchises for
| $40. 100000 should be made to-day, as
! promised, this may have the effect of
/ opening a wider field of discussion
I than at first seemed probable, and If
/ thlS EAOuiu plDNe 10 NC tue vase luc
! bill may be before the house for a
longer time than is now contemplated.
/ Mr.. Burton has given notice of a
speech on the bill, and it IS understood
! that there also will be other speeches
! in criticism of special features of the
/ measure, but its friends are very SAN
i guine, not only that the bill will pass,
4 but that it will pass speedily. Mr.. Hep
! burn, the author of the bill, thinks
that only a few days of debate viii
be necessary.
In the senate Senator Morgan's bill
for the acquisition of right of way
, for the Nicaragua canal is among the
measures in position to receive atten-
tion. It is not probable, however, that
the right-of-way bin will receive con-
sideration at this time, the disposition
being rather to await the action Of the
house upon the general subject, and
then have the senate predicate its &C.
tion on the house bill. If this course
should be decided on the discussion
Of the canal question In the senate will
be postponed for few weeks.
OUTPUT OF METALS.