Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-10
FREE PASSAGE FOR AMERICANS.
1continued nom Page One,

Continued i,om Page one.)
Of these motions were defeated. sby ov-
erwheIming yotes
AS the bill passed, it would permit
American eoastwise vessels 10 pass
through the canal free, without condi
fions; while american foreign trade
ships might pass Through free. if their
owners agreed 10 sell the vessels TO
the United States. at a fair price, in
time of war or emergency
The great fight of the day centered
about the provision to prohibit rail-
road owned ships from using the can
AL The broad terms of the original
House bill. which would have requir
ed every railroad in the country &c
dispose at once. of any steamship lines
with which IT might otherwise com
pete were not accepted by the Sem
ate This was modified so that ran
roads would be prohibited only from
owning steamship lines that may OPP
crate through the canal.
The Bourne amendment. however.
adopted later, by vote of So to 25,
restored much OF the vigor of the an
ti-railroad provisions OF the House
bill 1t provided that, If the Inter
state Commerce Commission should
find any railroad had an interest in a
competitive line of steamers and that
such interest was injurious to the
welfare of the public. the commission
might compel the railroad to dispose
of its steamer connections.
Senator Brandegee, chairman of the
inter- oceanic canals committee of the
senate. made an ineffective fight on
the rigid provisions against railroad
ships After the amendments had been
adopted to the House bill, he moved
that the whole paragraph relating to
railroad control be stricken sout. This
motion was defeated. As TO Is.
A subsequent proposal by Mr.. Bran
degee. to permit any ships to Use the
canal. giving to the Interstate Com
narce Commission power of control
over them, also was defeated.
The Reed amendment, against TRUST
owned Ships. was called up for sec
ord vote before the bin passed and
WAC adopted on final passage by a
vote OF SO to %.
The. completed canal bill finally was
PASSED with Senators Burton. Crane,
Gallinger. Lodge. Root and other OPP
moments of the free toll and anti-rail-
roac features of it voting against it.
In the form in which it returns to the
House. the bill adds to the general
scheme FOR operating and governing
the Panama capal prorision for the adj
mission TO American registry of any
forelgn-baiIt SHIPS owned by Ameri-
caus, provided they are operated Who'll
~ in the foreign trade.
Nc debate was allowed, today. UNI
der the agreement made. yesterday,
on the amendments offered by Sena-
tors Bourne and Reed. Following the
adoption of the latter amendment
Senator Fall introduced factitious
provision. requiring the canal autnori-
ties to hold up all ships ana search
them for trust-made goods. If any
such should he found, it was provid-
ed the vessel should he held while the
case was tried in conrt. On The vote
Senator Fall deserted his own amend
mcnt and it received no support.
s;ena tor Brandegee, closing the de
bate insisted the provisions of the Sen
ate BILL admitting American vessels
engaged in the foreign trade, to free
passage in the canal. was an undoubt.
ed violation of the HayPauncefot'
treaty with Great Britain.
Senator simmons of North Carolina
advocated the absolute enforcement Of
railroads from water carriers except
where the latter were necessary tc
complete railroad routes.
Senator Lodge declared the country
was controlled by a desire to attach
railroads.
1.-THE cost of operating railroads has
gone steadily up" he said; wages
have risen, and other expenses have
increased. At the same time, the In
terstate Commerce Commission stands
at hand to prevent the railroads from
raising their rates.
"Such conditions cannot continue
| The only body in the world that car
operate a railroad at a loss is the gov
eminent, which can charge the loss
| to the people in the form of increased
| taxes.
This hunting down of the railroads
goes on with increasing force, every
| day. 1t has gone beyond the bounds
reason. We shall not gain in the lont
run by this blind assault upon every
| thing American that has an appear
ancc of prosperity"
| Senator Lodge declared the peopl
were getting into. a attitude OF mlno
| where they assumed that "wheneve
I a man or any corporation has a dol
lar that has been saved, accumulate
or earned it is prima facie evidence 4
stole It,"
: ~s,s~a~