The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-09
SENATORS MARTIN
AND WILLIAMS IN
HOT CONTROVERSY
Latter Says Virginian Talks
Protection for His States
Shipyard
MARTIN DECLARES
HE IS ARROGANT
Question of Free Toll for
American Ships Causes
Split on Panama
Canal Bill

WASHINGTON. August s.--.An
agreement Was reached tonight
with respect to the Panama canal
bill that will bring 1t to Anal vote
tomorrow. Under the agreement
after morning business tomorrow
the senate will take up the bill
for consideration and At 5 O'Clock
will vote on all amendments pend
Ing or to be offered without fur
tiscr debate.
This arrangement was reached
after three hours Of discussion to-
night during which speeches were
made BY Senators BristOw, Ciapp.
hppitt and Poindcxter.
WASHINGTON. August s-An I'M
successful attempt TO make the SEN
ate sit continuously until the Panama
canal bill is finished and to limit
speakers to five minutes each WAS
made by Senator Johnson, of Ala
hama. when the senate met today.
Senator Johnston presented an
agreement that would have debarred
any senator who has spoken for more
than an hour on the canal bill, from
declared the senate had all tina irfor-
nation IL needed and that II should be
compelled to act on the canal iegisla-
ton. rather than talk
Senator Bristow objected to such
an agreement, at least until the sec
'tion regulating railroad-owned ships
shad been reached. Ii was believed
when the canal bill was taken up
early today. however. that j, might
be completed and finally voted upon
before Adjournment, tonight.
Williams Causes Controversy.
An amendment was offered TO the
Panama BIN hy Senator Williams 81
Mississippi, providing that foreign
built ships owned wholly by Ameri-
cans should be entitled 10 engage in
American cosstwise traffic through the
canal.
This proposal was attacked by
Senator'S Lodge. Root Thornton. Gal
linger and others. who declared 1t
would open UP the coastwise traffic
10 the shtpbuilders of foreign coun
tries. and would finally result in the
dismantlihg of all private shipbuiid-
ing plants In the United State.
ITO leave this country without ship
Yards would be severe misfortune,
said Senator Lodge.
We would be shorn of our power
10 build ships" added Senator Root,
land would be crippled before the
nations IT the world
Democratic Ranks Divided.
Senator Williams free ship amend
ment produced a sharp division in tho
Democratic ranks. Senator Martin,
OF Virginia. opposed 1t on the ground
that the senate did not have enough
information upon which to vote on
the Williams amendment. Senator
Williams declared Senator Martin WIS
making "A protective speech in favor
OF Virginia shipyards. Senator Mar
tin In turn accused Senator Williams
OF arrogance. The latter declared
Senator Martin was Following the lines
of the protectionists who had for years
maintained d duty on ships in the in
terests of American shipbuilders.
THE senator is arrogant and losing
his temper as he frequently does when
criticising men" declared Senator
Martin.
Il arm not arrogant. nor am ! losing
my temper" retorted Senator W.T.
Hams. Il stand on my statement and
the record will show it that the sena-
tor from Virginia made q protection
list speech A fourteen-year-o ld
schooiboy reading the record could
see that"
He added that-th speech Was Just
as much along the lines of prottc-
ton as the utterances from the Ne
publican side of the chamber.
Williams Amendment Defeated
The Williams free ship amendment
was defeated by "A vote of thirty eight
TO ten. Senator Brandegee first ms de
a point OF order against ii. claiming
such amendments were not in order
on the billsto regulate Panama canal
tolls and management. The point "f
order was defeated. but the Senate
immediately afterward voted down
the Williams amendment.
Senator williams then offered an
other to admit to American registry
anv American owned ships of foreign
make. which were engaged exclusively
In foreign trade. He said this pro-
vision would in no way affect Ameri-
can shipbuilding. or offer any foreign
connection In the American coast
wise trade.
SECOND Amendment Adopted.
The second Williams amendment
was adopted by the senate by vo'e
of "a to "a after some DEBATE. Many
Republicans voted Tor H. expressing
their belief that IL would enae'e many
fore,rn-built ships to tly the Ameri-
can flag without bringing the cheaper
shipbuilding of foreign nations into
direct competition with American
plants and workmen
Senator Gallinger then introduced
an amendment, providing that SHIPS
built under the provision OF the VII
liams amendment should not be enu-
tied to United States mail subsidies
Opposes CsaIlinger Amendment
Senator williams declared the Gal
linger amendment, II adopted. would
practically nullify the amendment that
had just been adopted, for the admis-
sion Of new ships to the use OF the
American flag. Senator Gaihnger
withdrew his amendment for the phr-
pose of redrafting It,
Lower tolls for ships passing
through the canal in ballast was
proposed by Senator Johnston. of Ala
hama. and an amendment adopted to
authorize such reduction In rates.