The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-20
Congress Not Likely to
Adopt Suggestions of
President.
CIV Els VIE WIS IN
SPECIAL MESSAGE
Taft Wants to Sign Panama
Canal Bill, but Wishes Other
Nations to Have Chance for
Redress in Courts as
Earnest of Honorable
Intentions.

Washington. August lo-pres.dent
Taft closed day of conferences on
the Panama Canal bill with special
message to Congress suggesting the
Passage OF legislation. which would
permit American ships "a travel the
canal toll free. and which would also
allow foreign nations TO test the
legality Of this provision by suits in
United States courts
The President discussed the mes
SAGE with Senators and members Of
the House. and its wording WAS final
~ decided upon At 4 me.eing OF the
Cabinet to-day The message was
read IN Congress soon afterward and
viii be taken up Tomorrow by com
mittecs of both Houses.
1t was the belief mere Tonight that
a determined effort WILL be made TO
meet the Presidents wishes. although
some leaders. particularly in the
House. were inclined to believe tina,
the message meant no further action
Ia regar. to the canal at the present
session.
The Presidents Meessgc.
The President was told that an act
OF Congress would nave the effect OF
abiogaIlng any treaty previously
agreed 10 and the decision OF the Su.
pgeme Culr. over the Chinese eNclus-
ION act was given as authority tor the
statement Ais suggestion to Con-
gress Tor additional legislation de-
signed 10 prevent any such construc-
ton as that of the supreme Cou., in
the Chinese case would allow FOR
essneEs 10 try their cause IN the Unit
"a states courts. 1t reads as fol
low.
That nothing Contained in The act
entitled an act to provide fog the
opening. maintenance. protection and
operations Of the Panama canal. and
the sanitation and government OF tn
canal zone. shall be deeined to repeal
any provision OF the Hay-P4uucetote
treaty. or 70 affect the Judicial con
struction thereof or In anywise TO i'm
pair any rights or privileges which
nave been OF may be acquired by any
foreign nation under the treaties Of
the United states relative to tolls or
otaer charges for the passage of YES
sells through the canal. and that when
any alien. whether any nation. person.
partnership. company or corporation
considers that the charging OF tolls
or the enforcement OF any cthe,- regn-
iation pursuant TO the provisions OF
this act violates In any way such
treaty rights or privileges. such alien
shall have the right to-br!ng an &C
ton against the United States for
redress OF the injury which he con
sdcrs himself 70 have suffered. and
the distric. courts o, the United states
arc hereby given jurisdiction to hear
and determine such cases and TO de-
cree the appropriate relief and from
the decision of such district courts
there shall be an appeal by either
party to the action OF the Supreme
Court OF the United states.
This language, continues the mes
sage, negatives absolutely any desire
on the part of Congress TO repeal the
Hay Pauncefo,e treaty or 20 violate
IT'S provisions by this legislation. and
leave open to any person WAC deems
himself aggrieved by the provisions
OF the act an opportunity TO appeal TO
our courts.
u think the Importance OF our
standing before the world as anxious
TO give the world to test this question
In the courts is an earnest OF our good
faith in attempting 10 keep within
our treaty obligations.
Believes 1t No Violation.
After n fun examination OF the
treaty and of the treaty which pre-
coded II. feel confident that the ex-
enption of the coast wise vessels OF
the United states from tolls and the
imposition OF tolls on vessels of all
nations engaged in the foreign trade
- 80 ''O'hN'N" "a INV 10 = a"'4SV
fote treaty But distinguished lawyers
in tho House and Senate differ from
this construction. and the Secretary
of state has received an informal pro-
test from the British government that
the contemplated legislation is a vio-
lat!on of her treaty rights.
81 am sure that it is not the inten-
tion of Congress To violate the Hay
Pauncefote treaty or to enact any
thing Inconsistent with its provisions
and that it certainly is not its pur-
Continued on Seventh PascD