The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-30
Several Bills Will Be |ntr0-
 duCed In Congress
CONFERENCE ON QUESTION
Committee Leaders Discuss Regulation of Shipping Through the Canal
 Possible Contingencies on Rates

Washington, December 2a.-Both Senator Flint of California, chairman of the com- mittee on interoceanic canals. and Rep resentative Mann of Illinois, chairman of the House committee on interstate and foreign commerce, expect to intro duee general Panama canal bills. They will incorporate their differing ideas as to the needs of legislation for the wa terway in the light of the White House conference last night.
 The conference developed substantial harmony of opinion favoring fortifcation of the canal presidential discretion as to the exact amount of tolls under pre- scribed maximum and minimum limta- tions, government operation of the dry dock and repair shop facilities and gov ernent sales of all the coal, oil and other ship supplies at both ends of the canal to the trade of the world passing through It and the safeguarding of competition. The differences of views as to whether foreign shipping and coastwise shipping should receive equal treatment in canal charges could not be reconciled and the problem Is still unsolved.
 Senator F'lint's bill will provide either an unqualified free passage of American ships or the collection of toll and sub sequent rebate of the entire toll, which from the viewpoint of some of those in the conference merely would operates as matter of bookkeeping. His bill will fix a certain maximum and minimum of toll on vessels of other countries, prob ably from 50 to 70 cents minimum to q .25 or $1.5 maximum, a net ton, leav- ing the exact charge to the discretion of the President, so that 1t can be ad- Justed to changing commercial conditions.
 Rebates Provided For
 It will provide that the rebate to coast wise vessels shall not be allowed to any vessels owned or controlled by any rail- road which with they are competitive directly or indirectly. It also will provide that the government may take over to It's own use when public emergencies make 1t necessary. any vessels taat tavai themselves of the rebate which would make all coastwise craft engaged in ca nal traffic subject to naval use on de mand.
 The general measure which he proposes probably will be presented to his col leagues on the interstate and foreign com merce commission at one of the early meetings after the recess. Whether the bill carrying the amount wanted foI the initial expense for Notifications will come from the appropriations com mittee or the military affairs committed of the House is uncertain.
 Chairman Tawney of the former Is op posed to heavy increases in government expenses and it may be the military com mittee of which Representative Hull oi Iowa, a defeated republican standpatter is chairman, and which Is framing the army appropriation bill, will report suct a measure.
 Treaties Interpreted ..
 The question of what treatment to ac' cord coastwise shipping caused tlfe prin cipa1 discussion at the conference. Mucf time was devoted to the Interpretation O. the treaties with England as to whethel the general reference to all powers be ing treated alike was to be interpreted to Include the United States or to meal all powers foreign to the United State: and thus permit lower tolls for vessel! of this country and the treaty witt Panama. as to preferential treatment 0 its craft.
 Senator Flint was especially insistent or the coastwise exemption. There wal unanimity of view as to the government furnishing the ship supplies. The Pres ident feels that these are more essentia at the isthmus than on the Suez cana ports. because of the distance from coa or other supply depots and because pri yate concessions would open the wa. for discrimination between canal patrons