New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-06
GIVE NO FREE TOLLS,
SAYS F. c. STEVENS
Congressman from Minnesota
Attacks CoastWise Shipping
as a Monopoly.
PROMINENT MEN AT DEBATE
Lewis Nixon in Opposition Tells
Northwestern Society Treaty
Gave Right to Exempt
u. S. Vessels.

Leaders in finance, railroads. industries
and society heard a stirring plea for the
observance Of the letter of the Hay
Pauncefotc Treaty by Frederick c. Ste
vens, Congressman from Minnesota az
the second annual dinner of the North
western Society. Of New York. held last
night at the Hotel McAlDin. And the
other side OF the question, justifying, the
exemption OF American-owned coast"ise
ships from paying tolls for passing
through the Panama Canal, was present
cd by Lewis Nixon. The discussion par
took of the nature OF a debate, ana as
both sides received so much applause. ana
as ex-senator Charles A. Towne, VINO
acted as POSTMASTER refused 10 act as
iul2e. II must remain an undecided con-
test
Some OF those who heard the two speak
ers included Judge and Mrs. Il. II. Gary
, Mrs. o. II. =. Belmont Mr.. and Mrs. H.
n. Townsend Mrs. Lewis Nixon, Colonel
J. Frank Supplee. Mr.. and Mrs. J. ~
Oliphant, T.. V. Harmon. Condo Hamlih'
Judge y. S. Dixie. United States senator
w. T.. Borah, Of Idaho. and United states
Senator Kenyon. of Iowa. william
Church Osborn and John Hays Hammond
also spoke.
Congressman stevens. who is a member
of the Committee on Interstate ana For
eign Commerce. opened his address with
an attack on the coastwise vessels, which
he declared were highly protected
monopolv, more favored than any other
industry.
Freedom from tolls 20 these coastwise
vessels would not reduce the cost OF
merchandise" continued Congressman
Stevens. 1T would be discriminating
against the Central West, as II would en-
able the coastwise trade to be carried into
tho intermountain territory. In other
words, il would mean that money would
be taken from the pockets OF the people
OF the Central West to strange their
business.
And under the treaty we haven't the
right TO exempt our coastwise ships. The
language Of the treaty is plain, and says
The canal shall be free and open 70
vessels of commerce and OF war OF all
nations observing these rules, on terms
OF entire equality. so that there shall be
no discrimination
we don't own that territory Con-
gresham Stevens went on. We hold IL
In trust for a specific purpose. If we
violate that treaty il will mean resent
ment not only from Great Britain. but
from the nations OF Central America,
and We will lose more in business than
we Will gain.
When British ships pass through the
canal and pay duties they will get re-
ceipts, and these will be forwarded to
their government. who will send them
10 us. demanding indemnity. We can ig-
more them IL We want TO. But II we do
1t VIII mean a reputation OF all existing
treaties We would be violating our faith
to the governments OF the world"
When Mr. Nixon was introduced by ex-
Senator Towne the POSTMASTER declared
that II he were Governor Wilson. Mr..
Nixon. because OF his fitness. would be
the next Secretary OF the Navy
Mr. Nixon declared that the intention OF
the trainers OF the treaty-and ne insisted
the language 81 the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty proved twas TO give the United
States the night TO exempt its vessels from
paying tolls. as well as 20 fortify the