New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-07
TAFT SPURS CANAL BILL;
SENATE FOR ONE HEAD
President Predicts Opening in
IS Months and Upper Branch
0verturns Committee Action.
SINGLE GOVERNOR FAVORED
Recommendation for Commits
sion of Three to Rule Zone
Upset and House Pro
vision Restored.
{ From The Tribune Bureau.

From Tn. Tribun. Bureau
Washington. Aug s.-The opening of
the Panama Canal within fifteen months
was predicted in a special message to
Congress to-day by the President. who
urged that legislation necessary to the
maintenance and regulation OF the water
way be enacted at the present session.
There are certain needs" the Presi-
dent says in his message. which must
be satisfied at once, II there is to be no
delay in the opening Of the canal and
the utilization Of II by commerce" These
needs M. Taft thus sets forth
First-The organization out Of the con-
struction force Of permanent force for
! the operation OF the canal and the gov
| eminent Of the zone.
Secoud-The announcement OF the maxi
mum tolls which will be imposed upon
| the commerce of the world.
Third--The establishment of adequate
coaling and other marine facilities, Such
| as drydocks and repair shops.
III IN. necessary steps toward these
ends be taken" the President adds, 1.-The
great waterway can be thrown open 20
shipping before the close OF 1915; that Is
within fifteen months"
Tho Senate was considering the Panama
bill when the executive message vas re-
| ceived. BY vote OF q TO IL the House
provision for a single head for the gov
| eminent OF the canal instead OF COM
mission OF three, a. proposed in the
amendment inserted by the Senate COM
rnittee on inter-oceanic canals, was re-
stored. The provision gives 20 the Presi-
dent control OF ali affairs at Panama, With
power 20 appoint a governor 10 com
plete govern ara operate the canal and
the canal zone.
In the discussion Of this section 81 the
bill tribute was paid TO Colonel Goethals
and 10 the othes army engineers who
have been constructing the canal.
Senator Burton moved TO strike out that
section which would exempt American
coastwise traffic from payment OF tolls.
Senator Rrandegee opposed II on the
ground that II vas not good business. Hs
said he did not believe the United States
had the hight under the British treaty 20
exempt American vessels. but that this
Wa not IN. reason he fought the free toll
provision.
The fact that We had 4 diplomatic note
from Great Britain Ia absolutely imma-
terial and irrelevant 20 me-" he said.
Eenator Lodge declared that the United
States, IL compelled 10 go before The
Hague court With the question ot its
rights 20 exempt American Ships, would
surely lose it's case. no matter how good
Il was" The only alternative. he said,
would be 10 refuse 10 20 10 The Hague
or else 70 drop the free toll provision and
accept his plan OF governmental rebate
or subsidy equal to the amount OF toll.
Senator Works characterized this ar
pure. unauthorized evasion Senator
Lodge said II was the plan adopted by all
other nations with reference TO the Suez
Canal.
Senator Root expressed tho opinion that
tho United States did not have any right
Of sovereignty At Panama which would
exempt the canal from the provisions of
the Hay-Psuncefote treaty. He said tho
canal strip had been acquired from Pan
anna In 1903 subject expressly 10 the pro-
visions OF the treaty with Great Britain.
II know OF no higher rule OF ethics"
he added, than that which requires ma
tons 70 observe good faith In relation 10
their treaties"
Senator Thornton. OF Louisiana held
that the United States had the und0u0ted
nght under the British treaty TO exempt
cosstpise trade from the payment OF tolls.
Senator Jones. OF Washington. also adj
vocated tho remission OF tolls 10 American
ships. The United States hiss assumed
all obligations for the neutrality OF the
canal" said Senator Jones. and 1t can
hardly be held therefore. that the equal
treatment guaranteed TO other nations APP
plies also to this nation"
A vote on Senator Burton's resolution
probably will be taken tomorrow.