The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-09
CANAL COMPLIED
IN ABOUT A YEAR
FREE PASSAGE THROUGH GREAT
WATERWAY ADVOCATED FOR
ALL AMERICAN SHIPS.

Washington. ID. c.. May ?.-(Spe-
all indications it will
be but little more than a year when
the dream Of the centuries will be
realized in Il waterway ready for the
passage OF ships across the isthmus
|Of Panama" said Senator Miles
POindeXter. of Washington, in the
course OF an interview today on the
Panama toll question. 1T is of pri-
mary importance that immediate
legislation should be enacted fixing
the rate of tolls for passage OF ships
through the canal and other essen
tial regulations for its use and Op-
Grafton. There Is no more than
enough time intervening to enable
those who are promoting lines OF
ships to ply through TINS canal to
make and carry out their plans.
These plans must be based to some
extent at least upon the amount OF
tolls that will be charged and other
needed regulations of the canal.
considering the two great essen
tial interests which will be vitality
affected by the opening of the canal
and the amount of tolls charged,
there is no more important question
pressing for immediate solution by
Congress than this. The two great
interests which are directly involved
are, first, trans-cOntinental transpOr-
tatiOn rates, and. second, the deve!'
Opmcnt OF an American merchant
marine. or course, after the eXpcn-
diture of the millions which have
been invested In this great work. 1t
would easily all go for naught, 80
far as it's benefit Is concerned, If wis
dom should not be used In fixing
rates for the passage of ships 1t
can be readily seen that the bcne-
fetal effect of this new Transports
ion line can easily be destroyed by
rates which are either prOhibitive or
excessive. The issue of free passage
through the canal for American
ships has been acutcly raised by the
minority report filed by Congress
man NOwland of California and 9th.
crS from the committee on interstate
and foreign commerce of the House
@: Representatives both in the inter-
est of getting the best results from
the canal as IA competitive trans
continental route, and for the pur-
pose of assisting in the building of
an American merchant marine. Free
passage through the canal should be
given to all American ships. There
is no treaty with any foreign conn-
try which will be involved or vio-
lated by this course; and If there
were such ttcaty in Il matter OF
great vital policy of the nation inn
mediate steps should be taken to
modify or abrogate it.
"The trans-cOntinental railroads
for years notOriOusly have Obstructed
and delayed the building of this
great waterway; and now that its
completion is assured the same in
tercst, OF course, will attempt to
modify or destroy its competitive ef-
fleets through the rates which will
be charged: the ownership of lines
OF vessels by the railroads; and va
,rious other means. Several hundred
millions of the peoples money have
been invested in this work both as
a commercial and a military neces-
sity. 1t is not only a wise policy
(now that the work Is about COM
pleted) to get the fullest possible
benefit from it. but 1t is the duty OF
those in authority. to the American
people whose money has been in
vested there, to take that course in
every respect with relation 10 the
canal which will insure the largest
possible returns to them.
"It is obvious that free passage
, through the canal for the American
. people, their ships, goods, and pas
J sengers. so far as the commercial as
{ poets of 1t are concerned. is the
| greatest return they could have from
: the canal. In no other way can the
Y greatest effect upon trans-eontlnen-
4 tai freight rates be obtained. In no
1 other way will the canal be of equal
5 effect in bringing and binding to-
gether in closer relations. socially
ard commercially. the two coasts OF
= the nation. and all the seaports OF
r
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