The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-03-15
FIX PANAMA TOLLS
MEASURE AGREED UPON WOULD
AUTHORIZE PRESIDENT TO
OPEN AND OPERATE CANAL.
AMERICANS AREFAvORED
Boats Controlled by Railroad Inter
ests Prohibited From Using Chan
nei-Other News Of
Congress.

Washington, ID. C.-The bill for
the government of the Panama canal
zone and the operation of the canal
was agreed to by the house commit
tee on interstate commerce. 1t would
give to the president authority to fix
tolls within certain limitations. max
imum of s1.25 ton being prescribed
with a minimum not below an amount
sufficient to maintain and operate the
canal. No preference would be CIV
en- to American sh !.
The bill would authorize the presi-
dent to open and operate the canal and
to make rules for the government of
the canal and fixe the tolls.
Prohibition Clauses.
The prohibition clauses, summarize
ed, include:
That it shall be unlawful for ships
to pass through the canal which are
owned. leased, operated or controlled
by any railroad company engaged in
interstate commerce or by any other
corporation In which such railroad
company has any interest whatsoever,
or by any other person, association
or corporation with intent to restrain
or prevent. or with the effect of re-
straining or prevention of competi.
ton through the Panama canal, either
between ships. ship lines and ship
companies. or between ships, ship
lines or ship companies and rail.
roads"
The Government.
That II shall be unlawful for any
ship to pass through the canal IL the
owner shall be engaged i'm any agree
ment, combination, ship ring or con.
ference with intent to restrain or pre-
vent. or with the effect of restraining
or preventing competition through
the Panama canal among ships. ship
lines or ship companies. or between
railroads and such ships. ship lines
or ship companies"
The bill would establish one United
States district Judge with magistrates
and bailiffs I'm the various towns
throughout the zone and would pro-
vide jury trial on demand i'm all Grim
inal cases and cases at law. The dis
trict court would have appellate jur.
isdiction with the circuit court of ap.
peals at New Orleans. Extradition OF
criminals also would be provided.
Democrats Would Hasten Legislation.
Curtailment of the Democratic tar.
In revision program with a view TO
speeding up" congress to permit ad
1ournment before the national conven,
lions is now the expressed aim of the
Democratic majority in the house. Re.
publicans and Democrats In the sen.
ate and house are chatting over delay
In actual legislation that threatens to
crowd congress later on. Democratic
Leader Underwood of the house. chair
man of the ways and means commit.
tee. indicated that the wool tariff re,
vision bill. which is to be reported
probably within ten days. will be the
last Of the revision measures at this
session of congress.
Washington, ID. c. - Stripped OF
the clause, which il was claimed
would invade the constitutional treaty
making power Of the senate and with
many other limitations added. the
general arbitration treaties between
the United States and England and
France. proposed by President Taft
and Secretary Knox as forerunners o.
universal peace were ratified by the
senate by a vote of 76 to 3. The sen
ators, who voted against the ratifica
ton. were Lorimer. MARITIME and Reed
The latter two are Democrats.
Treaties Are up in the Air"
Virtually the treaties by the sen
ate's action are up i'm the air" a,
In their modified form they must b.
| referred to England and France.
By the terms of an amendment pro
posed by Senator Bacon of Georgia
the senate consented to the ratification
| OF the treaties with the distinct pro
! vision that they do not authorize tn,
submission ito arbitration of an.
question which affects the admission
| OF aliens into the United States o
any question which depends upon o
| involves the maintenance of the ira
| ditional attitude of the United State
concerning American questions. com
monty described as the Monroe doc
trine' or other purely governmental
policy"
AS amended the treaties provid
that all differences. with the execution
OF the subjects named in the Baco
amendment, which it has not been pos
sible to adjust by diplomacy an
which are justifiable in their nature
shall be submitted to arbitration a
The Hague tribunal.
No official expressions were made a
the state department. Diplomats point
ed out what they claimed was a para