New-York tribune., 1912-08-25
PRESIDENT APPROVES
PANAMA CANAL BILL
Declares British Protest Leads
to Absurd Conclusion as to
Rights of the u. S.
DOUBTS SOME PROVISIONS
Finds No Reason, However, to
Delay Until Another Congress
Legislation Imperatively
Needed Now"
Lr-mn nd rrhuro Rureau.

Washington. Aug. 24-The Panama
Canal bill. the last Of the important
measures outside the appropriation
hills to be passed by Congress. was
eIened by President Taft tonight,
several members OF the san Francisco
chamber OF Commerce. Senators Crane
and moot and Sccrctarr Thompson
were present when he affixed his sig
nature 10 the measure. The gold pen
he used WAS brought To Washington
hy the ,'alfornia delegation, and viii
bc exhibited at the Panama Exposition
at San Francisco in 1919.
President Taft issued "a memorandum
10 accompany the measure In which he
sets forth his views regarding the OBJ
iections made TO ii. la this he re-
views the British protest made under
the -Pauncefote treaty. Of which
he says:
The British protest leads 70 the alb
surd conclusion that this government.
in constructing tho canal. maintaining
the canal and defending the canal, finds
itself shorn Of the right to deal with
its own commerce in it's own way, "hile
ali other nations using the canal IN
eonoetition with American commerce
enjoy that right and power un'n'pa'eo'
Mr.. TAFT finds that the provision per-
mittlne tho registry of foreign ouil'
vessels as vessels of the United STATES
for foreign trade injuries no interest III
Tho I-piicd States and 4 II proves 10
extend the commercial flag to the high
scas yjll fll a long felt want.
Tho President approves tho restric-
,icr forbidding railroads To have any
interest in water carriers using the
Panama canal. although he finds that
,ho radical provision is not wholly
necessary
H.. eyurp-ses doubt OF tho authority
of Congress 10 prohibit railroad com
narics from owning or operating
stoamships in any other part OF the
jurisdiction of the United States. ana
boIde that there is ample time for the
.,rreme Court to review this question
mr. for Congress to modify the act in
this respect before it goes into effect
Calling attention To his observations
On tolls i'm a special message to Con-
gress. Mr.. Taft concludes:
believe the bill to be ono OF the
,,ost beneficial that has passed this or
any other Congress, and find no rea.
son in the objections made to the bill
which should lead me to delay until
another session Of Congress provisions
that are imperatively needed now, in
ord.r that due preparation by the
world may be made for the opening of
the canal.
Only Ono Question at Issue.
1, discussing the British protest
AGAINST the exemption Of American
shipping from the payment of tolls for
tbe use of the canal, Mr.. Taft says:
/, view of the fact that the Panama
canal is being constructed by the United
ssn.a, .hollv at It's own cost upon terri
ioTv ccded to 1t by the Republic of Pan
- ~ for that purpose. and that unless
.ia restricted Itself tho United states
=, u, InYs sS absolute rights Of ownership and
en;J'V,ssoi including the right TO allow It's
oHn commerce the use of the canal upon
',',,h tcrns as ID sees 1T. the sole question
sa' tIas the United States tby the terms
~ tbe y-PAuncefote treaty. deprived
i,s.iS of the exercise OF the right 10 pass
10 own commerce free, or to remit tolls
collected for tho use of the canal?
The President points out that the
,o,,i,ucd On third page, sixth column.