The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-05-16
CANAL WORK
DRAWING TO CLOSE
AND THE DREAM OF CeNTU'
RIES WILL BE REALIZED IN
SHIP WATERWAY.

centuries will be realized IN
waterway for the passage OF ships
across the Isthmus of Panama" said
Senator Miles P0iDdexter, OF Wash
| ington. IN an in erview here on the
Panama canal toll question.
1t il OF primary importance that
immediate legislation should be en-
acted fixing the rate OF tolls FOR
passage of ships through the Canal.
There is no more than enough time
intervening to enable those who are
promoting lines OF ships to ply
hlough this canal to make and carry
ont their plans. These plans mus.
be based To some extent at leas.
upon the amount OF tolls that VIII
be- charged and other needed resu-
lations OF the canal.
Considering the two great essen
tlal interests which will lee yitally
affected by the opening OF the canal
and the amount OF tolls charged,
there is no more important quest on
pressing for immediate solution by
congress than this, the two great in
terests which are directly involved
are. first, trans-cOntinental transpor-
tatOn rates. and second. the devel-
opment OF an American merchant
marine OF course, after the eypendi-
ture of the millions which have been
invested in this great work it would
easily all go for naught, so far as
its benefit is concerned, if wisdom
should not be used in fixing rates for
passage OF ships. 1t can be readily
seen that the beneficial effect of this
new transportation line can be de-
stroyed by rates which are either
prchib,tive or excessive. The issue
of free passage through the canal
for American ships has been acutelv
raised by the minority report filed
by Congressman Knowland, of Cal
ifornia and others from the house
committee on interstate ana foreign
commerce both in the interest of get
ting the best results from the canal
as "A competitive trans continental
route and for the purpose of assist
ing in the building of an American
merchant marine. Free passage
through the canal should be given to
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 matter of great vital
policy Of the nation immediate steps
should be taken to abrogate it.
The continental railroads for
years have obstructed bu ldine ui
tbs great waterway; and now that
its completion is assured the same
interest. OF course, viii attempt to
modify or destroy its competitive
effects through the rate which will
be charged; the ownership OF lines
OF vessels by the railroads. and va.
rlous other means. Several hundred
million OF the peoples money have
been invested in this work both "a
a commercial and military neces-
sity. 1t is not only a wise policy
tnow that the work is about com.
pletedD TO get the fullest possible
benefit from il. but II is the duty OF
those in authority, to the American
people, whose money has been in.
vested there, to take that course in
eeVry respect with relation to the
canal which will insure the lnrges,
possible returns to them
1t is obvious that free bassage
through the canal for the American
people. their ships, goods, and pas.
sengers, so far as the commercial a..
rects OF il are concerned. IL the
greatest return they could have from
the canal. In no other way can the
greatest effect upon transcontinental
freight rates be obtained. In no other
way will the canal be of equal effect
IN bringing and binding together in
closer relations. socially and CONNER.
cially. the two coasts of the nation.
and all the seaports of the Pacific.
the Gulf. and the Atlantic.
Free passage through the canal
Tor American ships. not only those
engaged in American coasting trade.
but also for those engaged in for.
eign trade. will operate as a subsidy
to American shipping, so far as the
advantages are concerned, and yet ba
entirely free from the fatal defects
of a subsidy system"
u would surprise you TO know OF
IL.