Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-09
TILT ON CANAL BILL TAFT CLAN GATHERS
Senators Pondexter and Lip Leaders in Ohio Confer on
pitt in Lively Debate. GubernatoriaI Question
RAIL- ROAD CLAUSE UPlFWE MEN ACCEPTABLE
Admnce Of Ships Owned by Car President Would Be Satisfied
Bone of Either as Nominee
VOTE IS EXPECTED TODAY ROOSEVELT BACK IN GOTHAM
Panama Legislation Seems
for This Afternoon-Seva From Chicagowison
Senators Discuss Campaign
Senators P0indexter and Lip
pitt in Lively Debate.
RAILROAD CLAUSE
Admittance Of Ships Owned by Car
riers Bone of Contention.
VOTE Is EXPECTED TODAY
Action on Panama Legislation Is Set
for This Afternoon-Severa
Senators Discuss Issue.

With a vote on the Panama canal bill
and all amendments to 1t set for o'clock
this afternoon, the Senate began final
consideration Of that measure with a re-
newal of the fight against railroad-owned
ships.
The committee amendment providing
that a railroad-owned vessel might pass
through the canal provided 80 per cent
Of its cargo was destined for foreign
ports was the chief subject of discus
sion.
Control of New England steamship lines
by the New York. New Haven and Hart
ford railroad provoked another lively de-
bate between Senator Poindexter and
Senator Lippitt of Rhode Island. who
had clashed in last nights session.
In Grip Of Monopoly.
Senator Poindexter read a letter from
Louis D. Brandeis of Boston declaring
New England was in the grip Of an ''in-
tolerable railroad MONOPOLY
''Mr. Brandeis is a professional agi-
tator." interrupted Senator Gallinger OF
New Hampshire. He is not a business
man. He is always inthe limelight when
the question of railroads. steamships or
monopolies is under discussion"
Senator Lippitt declared that the senti-
ment of New England cannot be found
ed on misstatements."
Senator POindexter retorted that Off1-
cials of the New Haven railroad had
given testimony at variance with state
ments by Senator Lippitt, and that 1t was
a question of choosing between the
statements OF the officers of the New
Haven road and the statements of the
fnv frrvp, hr6o cl0 nd
Poindexter's Views.
Senator Poindexter declared the Senat,
amendments proposed to the railroad pro
visions of the Panama bill would open tn,
canal to competition by railroad ownet
ships.
I'VE are planning on the Pacific coas
great celebration of the opening of tn,
canal" he said, land We do not want tn,
results of the canal opening to be mock
cry instead of a benefit to Pacific coas
interests
Senator Burton of Ohio declared th
from using the canal would greatly re
strict the full development of the water
way.
IF railroad-owned ships are prohibit
ed, he said, 'the provisions for shippini
will be found inadequate and disappoint
ing"
Thinks Laws Would Aid.
The fear that railroads could drive ou
all other ships and ultimately contro
rates could be fully met by adequat,
laws. said Senator Burton.
'T cannot believe that the armory o.
the law is so poor or the administration
of the law SO inefficient that we canno
make all of these railroad abuses disap-
pear" he said.
1.-The time is sure to come when the su
pervision and control of the interstate
commerce commission will be so enlarged
as to include boats owned by the rail
roads,"
He urged the establishment of mini
mum rates." so that railroads could not
drop their rates too low In order to drive
out Independent competitors and estab
lish a monopoly.
Question Of Monopoly.
Senator Kenyon asked Senator Burton
whether he believed the point had beer
reached in American development where
a regulated monopoly must be recognized
in railroad development.
THAT is practically it, said Senator
Burton.
Il believe we are near the parting oi
the ways said Senator Kenyon. "whert
we must decide between competition fol
railroads or combinations held under th'
control of the government"
Senator Burton said he did not favo
absolutely free use of the Panama cana
by railroad owned ships. He favore'
control by the interstate commerce com
mission of ships owned or controlled b.
railroads.
Would Force Surrender.
The Panama bill, as passed by tn,
House, would compel railroad lines to Civ
up all steamship lines they may control
Senator Townsend of Michigan, in speak
ing against the operation OF railroad
owned ships in the canal. said he though
Congress ought not to pass broad legisla
tion in the canal bill to terminate al
railroad steamship combinations.
This prohibition against railroad ownet
ships ought to be restricted solely tt
those operating through the canal. saic
Senator Townsend. Il believe railroads
should confine themselves strictly to rail
road business, but the Senate is not pre-.
pared on the information ii now has tc
legislate against such control OF steam
ship lines as is now exercised on the
great lakes and on the New England
coast"
Discusses Free Tolls.
The granting of free tolls to American
vessels engaged in foreign trade, apprOv
ed yesterday by the Senate, was attacked
by Senator Lodge today as likely to be
construed by foreign nations as a viola
ton of existing treaties.
Free tolls for American coastwise ships
said Senator Lodge, could not be consid-
cred so much a violation of the treaty as
the further provision to exempt American
transoceanic ships
This is bound to raise serious questions
with other countries, he said.
He opposed the sweeping restrictions OF
the Panama bill as it passed the House
against the control of steamship lines by
railroads.
n6AKEc nApT on TRIp