The Washington times., 1912-08-08

The Senate is expected to take stand
today in opposition to the use of the
Panama canal, railroad-owned ships.
Strong sentiment exists in the Senate
against allowing the railroad-owned
shipping lines to have advantages In
the canal that will enable them to
throttle competition and make the wa
terway useless for the purpose Of regu-
lating freight rates.
The Interoceanic Canals Committed
has reported out provision that great
ly weakens the House prohibition
against use of the canal by railroad
owned vessels and it is charged was
put in at behest Of the Pacific Mai
Steamship Company, which is owned by
the Southern Pacific road. The SEN
ate Is expected to turn this down for a
stronger provision like the one adopt
ed by the House.
Both houses of Congress have defied
the protest of the British government
against the granting of free tolls to
American vessels. The Senate at mid
night by the overwhelming vote of A
to IL, refused to strike from the Panama
bill the provision exempting American
vessels in the coastwise business from
payment of tolls This action was taken
after animated debate. The Senators
who voted to strike the provision from
the bill were Brandegee, Burton, Catron
Lodge. Root, Crane, Gronna, Oliver
Nelson, Penrose, and Wetmore.
Long Debate.
The debate on the canal bill occupied
most of the session yesterday and last
night until midnight. The disposition
of the free tolls question marks Ions
step toward the passage of the bill
and it is believed the measure will soor
be passed and a long step taken toward
ending the session.
Flat charges of interference of rail.
| road and shipping lines in the effort tt
shape the canal legislation were made
in the Senate in thhe course of the de-
bate. Senator Works made a vigorous,
speech in support of the proposition
| that railroad-owned ships should not bt
allowed to use the canal.
In the course of II he exposed an at.
tempt of railroad and shipping infiu
ences, with the aid of Senator Bran.
degee Of Connecticut, chairman of the
Interoceanic Canals Committee, tt
make Senators believe the San Fran
cisco Chamber of Commerce had faced
about on the question Of railroad-ownet
| ships, and was In favor of letting rail
road-owned craft ply through the
canal.
Senator Works charged that the Pa
cific Mail Steamship Company haC
been instrumental in anonymously
circularizing the Senate to show thai
SO per cent of the San Francisco
chamber of commerce had protested
against the action of the directors ir
| indorsing the provision in the bill
against railroad owned ships.
In colloquy with Senator Works
Senator Brandegee admitted he hac
caused to be distributed circulars con.
| tanning this alleged information anc
! that they had been prepared unde,
his direction by r. p. Schwerin. of thu
Pacific Mail Company. Brandeges
said he had received letters from
Captain Barnoldson attesting the au
| thenticity of these protests.
Unfortunately. Captain BarnoldsoI
| has been the representative of the Pa
cific Mail Steamship Company ant
| misrepresenting the chamber of com
| merce," said Mr.. Works.
Defends Chamber.
| Senator Works did not press for in
! formation as to why Senator Brande
gee took such an interest in this cir
cularizing of the Senate. but it ii