The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-03


IF we had enforced Section % just as it
stands on the statute looks we would have
had Canada to-day at our feet suing for
terms TO save Canadian Pacific interests in
our country. instead Of suggesting what
policy should govern us touching Canadian
matters and asking for a reduction of tariff
rates as a condition precedent to the stop
ping of killing seals. Canada has not only
destroyed our seals. worth 100000 per
annum, but continues. through the Canad-
ian Pacific aggressions. to take away from
our roads S5OO)0,0O0 per year of legitimate
business"
Mr. Elkins said that New England had
most to do in the making of the Dingley
law. Section p, in his opinion, was the best
section in that bill for American interests:
yet New England statesmen had diSclaimed
having had anything to do with the pattern
lty OF the section. some declaring it had
slipped into the bill. In conclusion, Mr.;
Elkins said that we were on the threshold
of q commercial war among nations for
extension of commerce. The conflict is in
evitable. lit seems now" said he, "as if
the United States would have to meet this
war single-handed, asking no favors and
expecting none. While we do not court such
a conflict we need not shrink from it. The
conditions as to our shipping and our COM
mercial relations with Canada cannot be
made worse. Any change will make them
better. In order TO meet this war the United
States should restore it's shipping and stop
the aggressions of the Canadian Pacific
When Mr.. Elkins referred TO the military
two Observation-Disclosures and ESquimalt-
Mr.. Hoar interrupted him with the face
tious remark that the senator need have
no apprehension of the British guns at
those points. as they would endanger Amer
leans only in event of their kicking, as. If
any trouble should occur Americans would
be behind those guns.
FURTHER CUT PROBABLE.
In reply to a question from Mr.. Lindsay
concerning the statement that the Canadian
Pacific was carrying passengers from New
York to Vancouver for $50, Mr.. Elkins said
that the American roads had received per-
mission from the Interstate-commerce Com
mission to compete with the Canadian line
in passenger rates, but that the Canadian
Pacific had declared it's intention of reduc-
ing the fare to $2S
Ii. response to question of Mr. Wilson
RS TO the effect the adjustment of the con-
sular seals at Vancouver would have upon
the trade of the ports of Tacoma and Seat
tie, Mr.. EIkins replied that it would fill
same time increase the business of our rail-
roads and reduce railroad charges. Con-
corning the incorporation of Section % into
the present tariff law, Mr.. Elkins said that
he had been widely given credit for that
section. He said, however, that wiser men
than he had placed that excellent section
In the bill. Some papers, Mr. E1kinS said,
desired to have his connection with that
famous section investigated II did not
ing that section or of placing it in the bill.
Its author stands for American interests,
and / stand with him..
In response to inquiries, Mr. Elkins eX-
planned that Secretary Window was just
about to issue an order abOlishing consular
seals at Vancouver when mis- sudden and
that President Harrison's statement re-
gaTding the statement, which he had
quoted. was made just as he was about to
retire from office.
why does not Mr. Mckinley take ac-
tioE?" inquired Mr.. Lindsay.
81 wish the senator would ask him. re-
It'd lIrfr1 Slr
Perhaps he will, in time, but 1 do not
know"
If inquired Mr. Plat, of Connecticut.
the Canadian Pacific were subject to the
ong-and-short-haul clause of the inter-
state-commerce law, would 1t be able to
take away the business of our railroads.
1T would not replied Mr.. Elkins. The
senator has struck the point of this entire
matter. While our railroads are hampered
by that law, the Canadian Pacific is free
from it's restrictions.
In the course of a brief reply to Mr.. FL
kris, Mr.. Hoar expressed some regret that
Mr.. Elkins had brought into the discussion
of the pending bill so much matter that was
apparently irrelevant. He agreed with Mr..
Elkins that the executive departments of
the government had the power that they
ought to exercise to prevent Canada from
imposing upon this country or its business
interests. He also agreed with him that the
destruction of the seal herds was re-
proach tot civilization, and that the denial
of the privileges of hospitality to our fish
ermon was a reproach. He held, too, that
privileges which the United States did not
also have, and he perfectly agreed with Mr.
Elkins that the business of supplying
American citizens in Alaska ought not in
any way to be burdened by Canadian mo-
nopoly. He expressed the belief. however,
that Mr.. Elkins ought not 10 have taken
advantage of the desire on the part or the
Senate to accomplish those objects by intro
ducing into the discussion a collateral mat
ter
Ar IIoac coid I,a did NOT agree with Mr.
Eixins as to the danger on account of the
Canadian Pacific in time of war. AS a mat
ter of fact, these four thousand miles Of
railroad would be hostage in case of hos
tilities. But, Independent of this factor,
the United States would be entirely capa-
bic Of taking care of themselves. If they
had done so during the revolution and in
the war of 1872 they could certainly do so
now. He did not believe in encouraging the
talk of possible hostilities with a friendly
power, and wanted to especially discourage
all ideas of danger from the guns supposed
to be pointing in our direction from ffan-
fax and Esquimalt He would, agree, now
ever that the behavior of Canada had often
been unjust, irritating and unfair, ana ne
hoped that the time would come Mn ian,s 1usll
and he was especially sorry that Mr. f|l-
kins should have raised this railroad ques-
ton while the effort to secure this emu was
Mr.. Nelson followed Mr.. Hoar with a
sharp though short protest against Mr. FL
lx;n's proposition on the ground that 1t was
aimed at the interests of the farmers OF
the Northwest We have. he said, other IN
terests than those of the railroad trunk
lines. AT the farther end of Lake SUPERIOR
there is located a great empire OF nNe oI
six millions of farmers, and the INTERESTS
of those farmers are of far higher conslo-
Grafton than are the interests OF the ran
roads however, important they may DE TO
their owners Continuing. he said that the
Canadian Pacific road had brought TO these
farmers q reduction amounting 10 an aver
age of about 10 cents a bushel on the
transportation of their products to the Az
lantfc SeabOard. Why. he asked. should TINS
advantage be destroyed in interest OF q rev
stockholders and bondholders In these rail-
reads most of whom resided abroad! Inc
question as it presented itself to him was
whether these railroads should be made TO
pay large dividends to their foreign owners
or whether we should afford protection TO
thes Sc farmers of the Northwest 1t was the
duty of Congress, he contended, To looK
after the interests of this vast community
and the interests of the people OF New
England rather than the interests OF me
coupon-clipplng foreigners who hold the
stocks and bonds of the trunk lines. he
asserted that Mr.. Elkins's proposition was
a blow at the American farmer ana 10 Set
him into the caldron of the railroad, and
there to roast and SINCE him without mercy
Mr.. Chiffon, in a few words, said that Mr.
Elkins was proceeding on n misconception
and that the Canadian Pacific rates were
not subject TO the law controlling the long
and short haul. He also said that recent
Supreme Court decisions made II possible
for the American roads to reduce their
through rates so as to compete with this
line without regard to the long-and-short-