New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-20
LIKE THE OLD TOLL ROADS
&C. H. c." Cites Them in Discussing
the Panama Canal Situation.
EditOr NJ The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The tribune.
Sir: Emerson says that next TO the
author OF good saying we should esteem
the first quoter Of it. | wish TO be prompt
and hearty in indorsins what "A. l.. H.
saws in The Tribune Of January IL aoou'
the Panama Canal treaty. | do not see
how his statements or the quotation from
President Taft can be refuted.
We are accustomed 10 look 10 the PLAIN
people in the country regions for judicial
opinions on public questions a. Impartial
Is any that We can obtain. As one oil
these plain country people. and having not
dollar Of interest in any railroad OF
steamship line, may ! call attention TO
several phases Of the question not touched
on or not smpliied as fully as might be
by a. LAB?
Is it not absurd that any provision to
prevent the United states from discrim-
mating against itself should be put in a
treaty? II this absurdty is self-evident
then il means that the only possible dis
ordinations contemplated were those
among foreign nations. Let as take a do
nestle. an inland, situation that is a per
feet analogy. In earlier days there were
many privately owned highways. plank
roads turnpikee etc. in this country. Tine
state laws conceded the right Of private
parties who had built these roads 70 collec'
a reasonable toll Bridges were built and
tolls collected under the same law. we
are all glad that the privately owned toll
roads Oi toll bridges are passing away.
But the principle was upheld by all courts.
Now. let ms suppose that the owner or a
lPrsr estate builds a frat class highway
across his own land. shortening communi-
cation and charges a small fee tmucb too
small 10 make his enterprise prortaole)
&c the public VINO use the road. Has this
proprietor a right to allow his own fam
rs or MS tenants living on the farm 10
use this road without paving the toll that
the outside public pays? According to
Great Rritain's contention he and all his
family must produce the nickel or dime
o. else have the gate 10 4 road across his
own farm shut in his face.
As the ma tier is viewed by the interest
cd foreigners. tho United states is 50
simple. 50 dead easy that it will bury
It's scores OF millions Of dollars and scores
undertaking thar will benefit foreign ship
ping FAR more extensively than our own.
that will throttle still further our own
marine commerce and shipping by the
competition Of cheaper foreign ships and
labor. while the only privilege that We
reserve IL tho right to pay the fiddler,
keep this great work manned. guarded
and in repair a. an expense far above
what the tolls will amount TO.
This is not = case Of My country '!eht
or wrong" II Is q case Of right. y
mans honor countrl's honor, is Ike a
man, religion. We should do what IS
right voluntarily But what European
court would decide IN our favor when self
interest would suggest that it side with
Great Britain
Common sense. common pride ana
patriotism suggest that We do not dis
criminate" against ourselves. 70 would
he a dav ~ shame i'm tie world X the
court OF last resort. whatever that may
be should not uphold. as all courts are
supposed TO. the evident intent and not
.bo let,sr ~ The law. 9 ~. G.
Stamford Conn Ian. i2. 1918.