Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-18
EXPECT EARLY VOTE
Prospect of Action on Panama
Administration Bill.
DIVISION IS NOT UNLIKELY
Some Favor Single Head for Water
way, While Others Want Commission
WOULD NOT EXEMPT SHIPS
Senator Brandegee Believes It Would
Be Bad Policy Not to Charge
Tolls for All.
DIVISION IS NOT UNLIKELY
WOULD NOT EXEMPT SHIPS


Senate today by Senator Brandegee. who
has the measure in his charge. He said
few speeches remain to be made. and
that the bill be opened to amendment In
the Senate in a few days.
One of the most important provisions
in the bill. he said. is the providing for
the administration Of the canal
Senator Brandegee indicated that a di-
vision was expected between those who
ravor single head of the canal man.
agement and those who favor a commits
sion OF three or five members.
me matter or tolls, said Senator Bran
oegees need not retard action on the ad-
ministrative features of the bill. He adj
vocated charging equal tolls to all ships
including those of the United States
coastwist trade.
Simply because Great Britain has pro-
tested. 1 do not think there would be
ships, which are to be especially bene-
nted, pay their own way" he said.
Revenue From Foreign Ships.
Foreign ships will pay approximately
100000 year in tolls at the canal.
according to an estimate by Prof. f. R.
johnson. presented to the Senate today
by Senator Brandegee.
II the Hague court should decide
against the right OF the United States
to pass American vessels free through
the canal. the tolls that would have to
be returned to foreign ships would be
enormous. said Senator Brandegee.
Prof. johnson, who studied canal con-
ditions under the authority of President
Taft. estimates the foreign tolls in 1915
at Sc. 765. 900; in 1920. s11 600: in 1925
which 1t is proposed to exempt from pay
ing tolls. is estimated at only about one
ninth of the total canal traffic.
senator Stone estimated from the fig
ures OF Prof. johnson that II The Hague
court should decide against the United
States Ave years after the free-toll law
had been enacted about $45 COO, 600 would
have to be repaid to foreign vessel
owners.
Address Of Senator o'Gorman.
That the railroads of the United States
ana Canada are back Of the protest that
Great Britain has made against a provf-
sion that American vessels may Use the
Panama canal toll-free was the charge
that Senator O'Gorman made in the Sem
ate yesterday afternoon, in the course OF
a speech on the Panama canal bill.
"One might suppose Senator O'Gor-
taking this extraordinary, unreasonable,
unfHendly attitude, must have been
moved by some sinister purpose or impulse
do not believe that Great Britain IL
much concerned as to whether we allow
American ships to go through the canal
without the payment Of toll or not.
Il believe. however. that the railroads
Of Canada and the railroads OF the United
States have been enabled to get the CO.
operation Of the British foreign Office
tempt We are now making for wholesome
legislation to keep railroad-controlled
ships on the canal. that competition may
live and thrive, and that this national
the railroad organizations of the United
States.
Assumes No Obligation.
1T may well have excited some sur
prise that Great Britain. with all her pro-
fessions Of friendship for this country,
would seek to control and restrict efforts
on q plea which cannot be invoked
against herself, because, as have said,
under the treaty, which reflects no credit
upon the aty-making branch Of our
government, England assumes no obligA-
uon whatever. There is no mutually Of
obligation. She can subsidize every Brit
ish vessel going through the canal. and
yet under this treaty we could not COM
plain II England did that. We could not
complain If any other foreign nation did
that.
Spain has already legfslated to reim-
burse Spanish ships for the tolls they
may pay going through our canal. We
cannot complain. Those countries have
that the right possessed by every other
nation on earth with respect to our canal
Is denied to our own citizens by q compo-
sition or convention called a treaty not
or for respect for the Monroe doctrine.
that great principle upon which our In
stitutions have prosperedT"
The debate over the Panama canal bill
was lively throughout the afternoon Sem
ator Lodge had begun it with his declare
ton that while, under the language Of
the treaty. there was some doubt as to
the right OF the United States to declare
by legislation that American vessels could
pass through the canal toll-free. there
was no doubt that Congress could pass
legislation renting tolls paid by vessels
of the United States. Senator McCumber
continued the debate by declaring the
treaty to bind this nation to charging
the same tolls to the vessels Of all ma
tons, the United States included.
United States Has Power.
Then Senator O'Gorman rose and con-
tended that. under the treaty. the United
on foreign vessels and not to charge tolls
on United States ships And these vary
ing views. of course. were warmly dis
puted and debated.
Senator O'Gorman had some criticism
for the State Department heads who
signed the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
AS an American" he commented. II
cannot but express my regret that at that
time we 80 far forgot our duty with re-
gard to the Monroe doctrine as to per-
init Great Britain, or any other power, to
say in substance that the United States,
with It's then SO00OO00 Of people, could
not construct that great enterprise on Its
own territory at its own expense without
having the approval of Great Britain.
"A free canal for American ships is an
American doctrine. It means lower cost
OF transportation. freer and cheaper food
and the development OF the country.
We are against the railroads placing
their hands on that canal and making
1t part of their corporate assets. That
canal Is merely an extension OF our ma
tional highway.
81 cannot believe that Great Britain
will ever make this the subject Of an
inquiry before The Hague court, because
she would be without moral support"
Would Prevent Fertilization.
Senator O'Gorman, denying the view
taken by Senators Root and Burton that
the United States cannot discriminate in
favor Of American ships declared that
such a ruling would preclude this coun-
try from terrifying the canal.
Senator Cummins, in indorsing the view
Of Senator O'Gorman. pointed out that IL
"a T. n>A