New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-19
Merits OF the Measure Out
weigh Its Defects, President
Tells Cabinet, and He
Probably viii Sign 1t.
EAGER TO OPEN THE DITCH
Executive Believes Tolls Pro
vision Does Not Violate
Treaty, and Looks to Con-
gress to Provide Neces-
sary Notifications.
From Tic Tribune bureau

Washington. Aug. 1S.--Aftcr thor
ough consideration of the Panama
Canal bill. which he discussed at
luncheon to-day with members of his
Cabinet. the President is strongly dis
posed to believe that the measure
should become law. To that end he
will probably sign it, although he has
not vet announced his decision.
There are several considerations on
which this conclusion may he based.
One is the urgent necessity Of pro-
viding for the government of the Canal
Zone and the opening and administra-
tion of the canal. The form of gov
ernment provided in the bill meets with
the entire approval of the administra-
tion.
1t is also held by officials of the ad-
ministration that the good to be gained
by the enactment of the bill should rot
be sacrificed because of defects ot less
Importance These. ii is held, will not
work any harm, and can be remedied
later, when the campaign is over and
the occasion for political eXpediency
has passed.
The provision authorizing the grant
ing of American registry to foreign
built ships and the provision amending
the interstate commerce act to require
railroads TO establish rail connections
with the docks of water carriers at the
direction of the Interstate Commerce
Commission are regarded favorably, if
not by the President himself. at least
by some of his advisers.
Considers Reed Amendment Bad.
The amendment offered by Senator
Reed, prohibiting trust owned ships
from entering the canal. is considered
flaw in the bill, but one which, hap
PLY. cannot do serious harm. and
which may be corrected by further leg
islation at the next session OF Con-
gress.
The provision remittlng tolls to
American vessels engaged IN cOastwise
trade is the one question which pre-
sents serious difficulty President Taft
holds the opinion that the Hay-PaunCe-
fote treaty does not stand in the way
OF the remission of tolls to this class Of
American commerce, but is not dis
posed TO proceed upon this conviction
by making his own view or the view Of
Congress final, and by closing the door
TO other nations or to the owners Of
foreign vessels who may desire TO pre-
sent their side of the controversy
This provision can be modified later
by a bill or resolution declaring it to
be the purpose of Congress not to abrO-
gate the treaty and permitting a review
Of the question by the Supreme Court.
II the President signs the pending bill
II will be with the purpose Of making
such urgent recommendations to Con-
gress next winter.
President Taft has urged on Con-
sress the necessity Of preparing for
the opening of the canal at this ses-
sion. This legislation has been pro-
yided in the bill agreed upon by both
houses, the points which deserve criti-
cism relating mainly TO matters mere
ly incidental TO the government and
the oreration Of the canal, or wholly
outside il. II the measure were 10
be vetoed, il is urged by those close
TO the President, the entire question
might be put over until the next ses-
sion Of Congress. with the probability
that action would not be taken until
well toward its close.
At the same time, there is some
question whether for the main purpose
Of the bill legislation coinciding as
Closely with the views OF the admin
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