The Washington times., 1912-02-23
SEES CONSPIRACY
BETWEEN RAILWAYS
TO CONTROL CANAL
Congressman H u m p h rey
Makes Charge At Navy e.
League Convention.

The charge that a conspiracy exists
between transcontlnental railroads and
foreign steamship lines to control the
steamship business through the Panama
canal was made at this morning 8
meeting OF the Navy League convention
by Congressman Humphrey OF Wash
Ington
Every effort to have tolls charged for
use Of the canal leads back to the trans
continental railroads." declared Mr..
Humphrey. who added a prophecy that
within less than thirty days the House
Committee on Merchant Marine would
report free ship bil'' which will en-
able the railroads to buy numerous
ships of Cheap foreign construction
to be used In canal traffic.
Canal of No Benefit.
BY agreements on traffic charges, be.
tween foreign steamship lines, not only
with one another, but with the Ameri-
can railroads, the canal will not be
of the slightest benefit to the con-
sumer, declared the speaker, particu-
larly IL the coastwise trade is included.
The newly bought ships are to be util-
lied in this coastwise trade, as Mr..
Humphrey sees the scheme and the
through traffic will be controlled by
Abe roads Rail and water competition,
according to the Congressman, will be
destroyed by reason Of the canal toll
charges.
CONGRESSMAN Humphrey followed Con-
EIessnian SuiEer or New York, who had
denounced ship subsidies, and declared
llat free ship bill would never pass
congress. but that 1t was possibIe that
= system os preferential duties might
ne Imposed; Mr.. Humphrey, calling at
tCnt!Dn 20 his prediction all the fl pe
ship hill. challAnRed the league to watnh
and see VINO turns out the best prophet.
ne quoStl3n Of tolls on the canal
occupied the whole morning session, and
.hese two Congrcssmen were followed
by smother. Congressman William ID.
stephens, who, however, spoke as a
representative of the Los Angeles chain
bcr Of commerce. He adVorated q free
canal, particularly sor coastwise ship
nlng. William II. Wheeler, of the san
francisco chamber of commerce, fol-
lowed Congressman stephens.
Concerned With Tolls.
The Navy League is concerned with
the question of canal tolls on the theory
that promotion of American SHINING
means more auxlliarles for tho navy In
lime OF war, and Congressman Hum
phrcr spoke at length on this subject,
and or the decay in the American mer-
chant marine He IS an advocate of
chip subsidies
Regarding the alleged conspiracy. Mr..
Humphrey declared in instance that
you can ship a carload of crockery
cheaper from Germany to Salt Lake
city than you can ship a carload of the
same from Cleveland to Salt Lake
City" The speaker quoted other In
stances of "a traffic agreement OF at
least gentlemen's agreement between
the roads and the foreign lines"
Congressman SulZer was bitter against
the ship subsidy plan and equally op-
posed to the present navigation laws.
The registry law as 1t stands makes
an outlaw of the American who buys
vessel abroad" he said, cor else he
must seek protection of foreign flag
on his vessel.
Difference Is Explained.
The difference between subsidy
and a preferential duty, is that in the
first case the American taxpayer pays
the subsidy and in the second the for
eign shipbuilder pays it,"
President Taft, Admiral Wainwright
and Secretary Meyer will address Vne
afternoon meeting today which will be
held at Continental Hall at o'clock.
Tomorrow morning the delegates go to
Annapolis.