New-York tribune., 1902-01-08
CANAL DEBATE Nv DETAIL.
MR.. HEPBURN EXPLAINS HIS BILL AND
ARGUES FOR NICARAGUA ROUTE.

Washington. Jan. Without preliminary bust
ness the House went into Committee Of the Whole.
with Mr. Grosvenor. Of Ohio in the chair, to-day
for consideration OF the Nicaragua Canal BILL and
Mr. Hepburn Of Iowa. chairman OF the Committee
or Interstate and Foreign Commerce. which re-
ported the bill took the floor TO open the debate.
He said that The subject of a waterway across the
isthmus correcting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
Tad been in the minds OF the people of the world
fo- more than four hundred years. Thirty-seven
States had instructed their delegations in Congress
70 support bin for an nteroceanic waterway; all
political parties had aligned themselves in favor
Of il; the subject had been discussed in Congress,
scientific societies. the newspapers, and on the
husfings until there was now volume OF literature
on the subject never before devoted to single
project
Mr. Hepburn said that the report Of the Walker
Commission gave careful consideration TO every
feature Of the work. The bill submitted by his
committee proposed to concentrate all authority In
the hands Of the President 1t opened no oppor-
Unity for defunct statesmen the pensioning OF
PERSONS who had been passed in the race Of life
il gave the United States authority TO protect, de-
iad and operate the canal In view Of all the re-
ports submitted there could now be question in
he mind Of any well informed man Of the feast
hlity and practicabity Of an interoceanic canal
THE PANAMA Co1fPANY's OPERATIONS.
Referring to the efforts OF the Panama Canal
Company TO build a canal by private enterprise, he
summed them up follows:
The company raised $25G.0o00c0 by the sale OF
e5.500e9 OF bonds. and after eight years the man
ayers Of the company found themselves with the
Bankrupt in money and character
Tie disaster TO this company. he said, proved
eoncusiyely that the work should be undertaken
ny governmental agency. There not an atom
Of work in general engineering yet be done. In
regard feasibility and practicability, no enter
prise that had ever received the attention OF man
had been so conclusively proved. II the pending
Oil became law the work could begin at once
sad should be completed in eight years. Mr.. Hep
olrn said that as a commercial venture the COM
nissions figures Of 100000 tons could be safely
taken. At the latter figure the total revenue at
he suez would be s14.000.000 enough to meet
TIE cost OF maintenance CS3.5C0.OoO and leave over
@"s,Vn 10 meet interest charges
NICARAGUA ROUTES ADVANTAGES
Ar Hepburn pointed out the advantages of the
Hlearagua route for sailing vessels account of
re better winds prevailing there. contending that
vas a mistake to suppose that the sailing ship
es destined TO disappear from the ocean. Where
~ - Fansma route was located sailing ships some
Naes lay for FIVE months in the doldrums
"hen Mr. Hepburn said he had hoped that the
opposed waterway would be free OF charge to
~1ericsn ships there outburst of applause
t"e Republican side II that might be done, he
SIC II would give a great impetus to American
sppng In closing Mr.. Hepburn said there might
some interests in the United States which be-
'sa they would be harmed by the rivalry of this
"a and there men of honest purpose who
- 1gnt the time not ripe for the building OF
- Sahsl or that an enterprise of such magnitude
rso o not be undertaken. They were perhaps ter
- oy the spectre of scandal But" he said
sNst that the American people have made their
a. mat the caanl shall be built and that now is
he TO build it," LApplause)
UNDER FIRE OF QUESTIONS.
a'eF Mr. Hepburn had finished his set speech he
Desieged with questions.
yhst s.laIroth, Of Colorado-I should like TO know
sad the gentleman's construction upon this bill
b a P'h me late treaty that has been ratified
esnsls power OF the United States TO fortify the
nsh, ~ ossepburn-I have not any doubt about the
'he United States TO defend that canal and