The news & observer., 1902-01-08
Leads all North Carolina Daies News and Circulation

asked Mr.. Sims, (Tenn), "is it not likely
that the French Government will com
plete the Panama canal?"
There is the same probability of two
canals" answered Mr.. Hepburn, that
there is of the Suez canal being paralleled
by navigland.
In reply to another as to the advisable
ity of giving the President the authority
to build on either route, Mr.. Hepburn
again caused an outburst of applause by
declaring that he looked upon any at
tempt to entagle the United States in
the Panama. enterprise as an effort to de-
feat any canal.
MIR Reeves Qll), asked whether 1t
would not be better to wait a few days
or weeks until the Secretary OF State
could inform Congress just what we could
obtain in the way Of concessions from
Nicaragua
"In an enterprise of this magnitude"
replied Mr.. Hepburn, there never has
been and never will be a day when some
gentlemean will not be able to urge some
reason for postponement." (Applause)
1--WE have been suffering from that for
years. l am assured by those who know
that the protocol with Nicaragua has
reached such a stage that we are cer-
tain to get what we want" (Applause)
Replying to Mr.. Cannons inquiries as
to the conditions of the protocol with
Nicaragua Mr.. Hepburn stated his under
standing was that $4,000, 900 and $1,000,
600 were about the figures allowed Mica
ragua and Costa Rica.
Mr.. Cannon closed the colloquy with
Mr.. Hepburn by stating that while he
had always favored the canal he was
satisfied the precipitate passage of this
hill sacrificed advantages which the Uni
ted States now possessed and meant
heavy increase in cost which would have
to come out of the Treasury.
Mr.. Davis, (Fla.), a member of the
committee which reported the bill fol-
lowed Mr. Hepburn with an earnest plea
for it spassage. He advocated the Mica
lagua rather than the Panama route and
insisted that the time had now arrived
when talk should cease and work begin.
1--WE need this canal" said Mr.. Davis,
for the convenience and the expansion
of our commerce; we need it for the
proper handling Of our navy, for bring
ing nearer together our eastern and wes-
tern shores, for the protection of our
island possessions and for easy access to
them. The American farmer needs it,
that foreign markets may be opened UP
for the product of his toll; the merchant
and manufactures that they may compete
with rivals in other lands"
Mr.. Richardson, (Ala), also supported
the bill, arguing that the Nicaraguan
was preferable in many ways to the
n. nd
that the experts who had examined the
routes had differed widely. No two COM
missions ever had agreed either upon
the cost or route and it was therefore
with some hestancy that he accepted un-
reservedly the report of the latest COM
mission. Mr.. Mann pointed out that the
estimates of the various commissions ap-.
pointed 20 inspect the Nicaragua. route
an from $31 900 coo TO $184, 100000.
He said that the contractors no built
the Chicago Drainage Canal on the basis
of the estimates made fortunes in
profits.
Mr.. Adams (Pennsylvania) who oppos-
ed similar bill at the last session on
account of the existence of the Clayton
Buler Treaty, thought the offer of the
Panama commission should receive care
full consideration. If the ccst of two
routes were substantial he contended
Panama was preferable.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Adams re-
ports Mr.. Morris (Minnesota) said that
the proper time would offer the follow
ing amendment:
Provided however, that if the Pana-
ma Canal so far as constructed and the
property, rights, privileges, and fran
chises of all the corporations or persons
interested therein can be acquired by the
United States, free and clar of all in
cumbrances for a sum not exceeding
sac, 900 900 and in addition thereto equal
ly desirable political and territorial
rights and PRIVILEGES as in case of the
Nicaragua route and at no greater eX
pense hen six months from the passage
of this act then the President if the
Isthmain Canal Commission or a major
ity thereof shall so recommend is here
by authorized to purchase the same and
to complete the construction of said
Panama Canal, subject to all the condi-
tions, provisions and limitations afore-
said And the sum of $50, 900, 600 is here
by appropriated out of any money in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated to-
ward the project herein contemplated. ;"
The House then adjoournend