The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-05-16
win Mean a Real Benefit
from the Panama
Canal.

"From all Indications 1t will be but
lpt1e more than a year when the
dream or the centuries will be real
lied in waterway ready for the
passage Of ships across the Isthmus
d Panama said Senator Miles
Poindexter, OF Washington, in the
course OF an interview today on the
Panama toll question. 1T is OF pri.
mary Importance that immediate
legislation should be enacted fixing
the rate Of tolls for passage Of ships
through the canal and other essen
ual regulations for its use and OPP
Grafton. There is no more than
enough time Intervening to enable
those who are promoting lines of
ships to ply through this canal to
make and carry out their plans.
These plans must be based to some
extent at least upon the amount Of
tolls that will be charged and other
needed regulations of the canal.
Considering the two great es-
sential interests which will be vital
u affected by the opening of the ca
nal and the amount of tolls charged
there is no more important ques-
ton pressing for immediate solu-
ton by Congress than this. The
two great interests which are direct
~ involved are, first, trans-conti
mental transportation rates, and sec,
ond, the development of an Ameri-
can merchant marine. OF course,
after the expenditure of the mil
lions which have been invested in
this great work, it would easily all
20 for naught, so far as its benefit
is concerned, II wisdom should not
be used in fixing rates for the pass
age Of ships. 1t can be readily seen
, that the beneficial effect of this new
transportation line can easily be de-
stroyed by rates which are either
prohibitive or excessive. The issue
OF free passage through the canal for
American ships has been acutely
raised by the minority report fled
by Congressman Knowland, of Cali
fornia and others from the commit
tee on interstate and foreign COM
merce of the House of Representa-
tiyes both in the interest of getting
the best results from the canal as a
competitive trans-continental route,
and for the purpose of assisting in
the building OF an American mer-
chant marine. Free passage
through the canal should be given
10 all American ships. There
is no treaty with any foreign country
which will be involved or violated
by this course; and If there were
such treaty in a matter of a great
vital policy of the nation immedi-
ate steps should be taken to modify
or abrogate 1t.
The rans-continental railroads
for years VIGOROUSLY have OBJ
structed and delayed the building
OF this great waterway; and nov
tha. its completion is assured the
same interests, OF course, will at
tempt to modify or destroy its COM
peiitlye effects through the rates
which will be charged; the owner
ship OF lines of vessels by the rail-
roads: and various other means.
Several hundred millions Of the peo-
pies money have been invested in
thls work both as a commercial and
a military necessity. 1t is not only
wise policy (now that the work is
about completely to get the fullest
possible benefit from it, but 1t is the
duty Of those in authority, to the
American people whose money has
been invested there, to take that
course in every respect with relation
70 the canal which will insure the
largest possible returns to them.
IT Is obvious that free passage
through the canal for the American
people, their ships. goods and pas
2e7gers. so far as the commercial as
peets Or It are concerned. is the
sreates' return they could have from
me canal In no other way can the
greatest effect upon trans-conti-
mental freight rates be obtained.
IN no other way will the canal be of
equal effect in bringing and bind
ing together in closer relations, So
'Ia.iy and commercially, the two
coasts Of the nation, and all the sea-
ports Of the Pacific, the Gulf, and
Tie Atlantic.
Free passage through the canal
Tor American ships, not only those
engaged in the American coasting
'Tade that are plying between Amer
'can ports. but also for those en-.
gagged in foreign trade, will. operate
as subsidy to American shipping,