The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-13
ST|MSON TALKS
OF CANAL TOLLS
Says United States Can Make
Repayment to American
Ships.

Washington. February l.-"I have
no u"upts ha n question ot law said
9ecrctur! oi WAR otlmsrn before the
t1""aE int: state Comm. roe COnltni.,..
to-naE' "tnat unocr tie Hay- ounce
iotc treaty the .nItcd states can pay
from its treasury to any American
HhilS any reapi'ropi ration or repay
iheht OF tolls tn'tt 1t secs IT. Whctner,
We can discriminate In lLvor OF Am, RI
can SHIPS directly Is another question
II All Involves Il question OF national
ppicE. | ain not discussing mat uucs-
ZION now. My opinion -, however. that
the FIRST method would tc the safer"
IN ,his manner SECRETARY Stmsonl
dismissed the question of American
Preierment liz Panama Canal tolls be-
Tor the committee. lie was question
ed by members of the conImitle, but de-
clined to be drawn into discussion OIL
an academic or legal nature.
Wouldn't the repayment to Ameri-
cS,l ships be a violation OF the spirit
OF the iay-Paunceiote treaty andI
would not the words directly or in
direttiy' in that treaty be considered
auperiiuous?' asked Representative
Sims.
Il do not care to go into that discus
sion mere" said Mr.. Stirnson.
Two FunInmcntnl Requirements.
The Secretary laid down Two funda-
mental requirements for the progi ess
OF the canal. Colonel GocthaIs, chief
engineer OF the canal. who was Wit
ness, agreed with him. The first leg
islativc necessity, MIR. Stimson said,
was law organizing the administra-
tive work of the canal so that the
construction force can be organized
Into an operating force. Tne next
question Is that Of tolls. nc said, and
he declared that the United states
owed II TO the commerce of the world
to inform 1t az 10 what TO expect in
the matter of tolls.
He deprecated the establishment OF
a minimum toll! by law. promised on
the operating expense and cost of the
canal. He said the primal purpose OF
the canal was the development o. COM
merce. and that SUCH questions as re-
endorsement for costs OF construction
should be deferred. He thought that
II the future shows that the income
from tolls can be applied TO the cost
that this should be zone. nut first OF
all he said ne thought Inc S3o".9po,oo0
paid for the canal should be disregard
cd In the broader view OF helping the
commerce OF the world.
DisaErccs With Mr.. Ilnowland.
Mr.. Stlmson disagree with Repre-
sentative Kaowland and others over
tie necessity OF 4 provision in the bill
to prevent the sitting Of competition
In transportation rates By reason of 4
combination of shipping Interests using
the canal. He said he would leave
these matters with the President rath-
err than Congress. The Interstate
Commerce Commission, with broadened
powers TO cover coastwise traffic. he
said. could meet the situation.
He said he preferred TO postpone the
cure for evils until The evils actually
exist, although no recognized the SIT
uatlon IN California and the fear there
of the prevention OF trsight rate relief
By combinations oh the canal.
Mr. Stimson said he would keep leg
islation for the encouragement II
American shipping apart from Panama
Canal legislation. He also would not
operate government owned steamships
to the canal and III this correction ad
viscd that tho corporate entity OF the
Panama Railway Company be main
tanned He said that the pressure
brought to bear by the country for
lower rates. If the government oper-
ated the steamships. would be tre-
mcndous He preferred that the Pres
idcnt have hnal disposition of such
questions
Would not political pressure operate
against the President as we'll as
against Congress?" asked Representa-
tive stevens.
Not as much" answered Mr.. slim
son, and the committee smiled.