MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEVENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON. H. R. 180, H. R. 201, H. R. 202, H. R. 2667 01-12-42 ME CONTENTS Briggs, Ellis Ó., Assistant Chief of Division of American Republics, Brown, Frederick W., Assistant Chief of Examining Division, United Clark, Harry Lincoln, Forest Hill, Mass Ewers, Ira L., representing the American Merchant Marine Institute. Kingman, Brig. Gen. John J., Assistant to the Chief of Engineers, War Department_ Lowe, Commander F. L., United States Navy Department.. *Bills under consideration.. APPENDIX 97 63,95 CLERK'S NOTE.-Not appended as a part of this hearing are the following III ADDITIONAL INTEROCEANIC CANAL FACILITIES TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1939 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES, Washington, D. C. The committee met at 10 a. m., Hon. Schuyler Otis Bland (chairman) presiding. The CHAIRMAN. We have met this morning for the consideration of several bills which have been filed relative to transoceanic canals.. These bills are H. R. 180, introduced by Mr. Izac; H. R. 201, introduced by Congressman Bland; H. R. 202, by Congressman Bland; H. R. 2667, by Congressman Tinkham, by request; and House Joint Resolution 112, by Congressman Tinkham, by request. The hearing this morning will continue until about 11:30. I am going to hear first the Members of Congress who may come to make statements with reference to their measures, and then the general witnesses on the bills, and then I am going to take up anybody who wants to be heard with reference to the commercial importance, or any outsider who wants to be heard with reference to the military needs. But the committee will take up in executive session all of the Government witnesses as to the military needs. While there is nothing, so far as I can see, that should be kept secret about it, at the same time there might be something said that should be said only in executive session, and it would be better to hear them then. All right, Congressman Izac, we will hear you now. STATEMENT OF HON. ED. V. IZAC, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Mr. Izac. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am interested in H. R. 180, which will authorize negotiations to provide for the construction of the Nicaraguan Canal. I would like briefly to outline a few of the advantages and the reasons why I believe this canal should be built at this time. The CHAIRMAN. We will be very glad to hear you on that subject. Mr. IzAC. In the first place, the location of this canal has been outlined by the Corps of Engineers of the Army. As long ago as 1930 and 1931, in a very thorough study, they came to the conclusion that a canal to be built at this point was a most feasible undertaking. The CHAIRMAN. You refer to the Sultan commission's report, I believe? Mr. IzAC. Yes, sir-the report of the commission under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Sultan. 1 |