Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-09
Has Important Concession
To Shipping Added.
Senate Works on Railroad Con-
troll Feature Of Bill.
Invites Foreign Built Ships Owned
In America TO Sail Under Flag.

Washington, Aug. S-Further impor-
tant concessions to American shipping
were made By the Senate. today,
through amendments te the Panama
canal Lii. The free toll provisions to
American coastwise ships. endorsed
by the Senate, last night, was supple
mented, today, by a qualified free toll
provision for American vessels en-
gagged in the foreign trade.
still more important amendment.
adopted by the Senate, holds out prac-
tically an unqualified invitation TO
foreign built ships owned by Ameri-
sans to hoist the American flag and
register as American vessels. This
amendment, offered by Senator Will
liaHs and adopted by large vote,
would authorize American owners of
foreign built ships, now compelled to
sail under foreign flags. to bring their
vessels under American registry pro-
vided they engaged only in foreign
trade. s
The Senate worked. tonight, on the
railroad control feature of the Pana-
ma bill. Senator Bristow opposed the
plan Of railroad controlled vessels sug-
gcsfed by the Senate committee and
urged the adoption of the plan pass
ed by the House. which would give the
Interstate Commerce Commission jur-
isdiclion.
One important restriction was pIae-
ed upon the Williams free ship amend
ment adopted, today. This provided no
foreign built ship admitted to Ameri-
can registry should be allowed to
participate with particular reference
to speedy and economical conversion
init an auxiliary naval cruiser.
A somewhat similar restriction was
made upon the granting of the free tolls
privilege to American vessels engaged in
foreign trade The provision adopted by
the Senate specifies owners of vessels
engaged in foreign trade must agree to
sell their ships 10 the United States in
time of war or other emergencies in or
der to be exempt from the payment OF
tolls when passing through the canal
The subject of railroad-controlled ships
brought out defence from the House
bill by Senators Clapp, Poindexter and
others.
Senator Lippitt of Rhode Island declar-
ed that cooperation between railroads
and steamships had greatly benefited al
least a portion of New England. and the
people of his state did not join in the
general denuneiation OF the railway lines
md their steamer connections. He de.
MED charges that had been made that
the New York, New Haven & Hartford
Railway controlled all the Long Island
Sound steamer lines. A great portion oil
these freight carrying steamers, he said
We're entirely independent of the contro
of that railway.
1t will not be necessary for Secretary
Knox to advise the British government
of the action taken by Congress in ex-
empting American vessels from paying
tolls on the Panama canal, unless Great
Britain chooses to make specific inquiry
on that point. 1t is scarcely expected
| it will do so, satisfying itself by taking
notice of the proceedings in Congress. as
was done at an earlier stage Of the leg.
lsation.
Students of the situation point out thai
Great Britain could reduce the tolls OF
the SueZ canal to a point that would di,
vert to the Suez great share of the
prospective business of the Panama ca
nal, and cause considerable financial loss
| to the Panama canal.