The Washington herald., 1912-01-15
NAVY LEAGUE BUSY
ON PANAMA TOLLS
Secretary Ward Polls the Country
on Question of Aiding the
Merchant Marine.

1t u proposed by the Navy League to
DOL the country on the Panama Canal
toll question. In a letter sent out to the
members Of the league. Secretary II. II.
Ward asked that they not only come
prepared to act at the convention. which
Is to be held here next month, but that
they take steps to obtain the general SEN
timent cf their localities on this subject,
which is now before Congress
Mr.. Ward states that the intention Of
the league is to secure auxiliary ships
for the navy He also calls attention to
the activity Of foreign interests in oppo-
sition 10 any legislation which will give
American ships lower or free toll through
the canal He says:
The Navy League has repeatedly
passed resolutions IN convention In favor
OF general measures having for their OBJ
ject the restoration Of the American mer-
chant parine. The league stands for
legislation TO encourage a strong mer-
chant marine as a necessary auxiliary to
an efficient navy.
Among the several measures suggested
Tor the restoration OF the American mer-
Chant marine are the proposals that
American ships I'm coastwise trade shall
De exempt from canal dues and that the
tolls imposed on any other American
vessels passing through the canal shall
be paid by the government Certain for
eign governments have already consid-
cred, or have already provided. that ves-
sels under their flag shall have canal
dues paid out OF the public treasury.
Many OF our members who remember
that foreign countries are paying $50 000 =
coo a year in subsidies TO their shipping.
that the country is spending so. .Ooo. .OoO
on the Panama Canal, and that the coun-
try each year spends 81, 600 900 or more
toward the deepening OF the rivers and
harbors. the benefit OF which has largely
been for foreign shipping. are OF the
opinion that the Navy League should
strongly advocate the proposed measure.
The annual convention and dinner,
which will be held in Washington Feb
ruary q and u and the question OF Pan
ANA tolls. their effect on the merchant
marine, and their connection with the
building up OF naval auxiliary feet
viii be one Of the important subjects TO
be considered there.
The commercial feature OF merchant
marine legislation may be outside the
scope Of our organization. but an ade-
quate number of vessels available as
naval auxiliaries in time OF war are In
dispensable to an efficient navy. II any
OF the proposed measures will supply a
huIlDeT OF nANdl buNlndrieSs tney ghOuld
have the earnest consideration Of every
Navy League member"
Hearings viii be begun before the House
Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce to-day on legislation bearing
on the conduct and management OF the
Panama Canal From a business stand
point. this legislation IS regarded as
probably as important as any that will
have consideration at this session. The
railroads OF the country, as well as the
steamship interests. foreign and domestic.
are vitality interested. The House Com
mittee Will consider first a bill provid-
Ing a permanent government for the
Canal Zone. Next IN Importance comes
the. measure which will determine
whether the waterway shall be nlade free
TO the commerce Of the world, orNyThether
tolls shall be levied on both foreign and
domestic shipping.
The administration Is practically COM
mitted to the proposition that the canal
shall be used without charge by all ship
pers. In a message to Congress on the
subject the President recommended that
tolls be exacted. but that they be re-
funded TO American ship owners as a
means OF encoura ging development OF the
domestic merchant marine.