The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-24
ADAMSON PROPOSED
FREE CANAL TOLLS
PROVISION REPEAL
Excites Widespread Interest in
House by Introduction of
Resolution to That Effect at
This Time.
Believed to Have Backing Of
Administration. Certain
Conditions Named. Does
Not Involve Principle or
Policy of Subsidy.

WASHINGTON. Dec. ga resolu-
ton was introduced In the house to-
day by Representative Adamson, Of
Georgia. chairman OF tho committee
on interstate foreign commerce. pro-
posing to suspend under conditions the
act granting free tolls to American
vessels passing through the Panama
canal
The resolution created considerable
attention because OF Chairman Adam
sons relation to the subject as chair
man OF the house committee having
It in charge and because it is under
stood to have the approval OF the
administration.
The resolution proposes that so
much OF the act that provides that
no tolls shall be levied upon yes
sells engaged In the coastwise trade
of the United States shall be sus-
pended under the following condi-
tions:
The Conditions.
'At any time after the Panama
canal shall have been opened and
successfully operated for two years
II in the judgment of the president
the revenues derived from tolls Of
the coastwise trade Of the United
States shall be sufficient to defray
the cost Of maintaining and operating
the canal, the expense OF government
and sanitation of the canal zone and
all diplomatic questions touching the
treatment of vessels TO conditions Of
charges OF traffic at the canal shall
have been adjusted. Then the pres
.aant- Is authorized under the -resoln-
ton proposed today to issue an order
suspending the law.
In discussing his resolution. Repre-
sentative Adapson said:
The resolution does not involve the
principle or policy Of granting subsidy
TO special interest. but affords OPP
portunity to test The contention of
both sides to two other questions and
ought TO be approved by all. Those
Ut us who advocated uniform tolls
rested our case largely on the conten-
ton that the tolls would be needed
to operate the canal. A majority OF
those who advocated exemption for
vessels engaged In coastwise trade ex-
pressed the opinion that If the gov
eminent really needed the tolls to
operate the canal they would not insist
on the exemption. but they contend
that there would be a surplus of tolls
from other vessels and that an ex-
emption could we'll be afforded to the
coastwise vessels.
Explains Provisions. -
MY resolution proposes two things;
First--an experimental test to deter
mine whether the tolls will pay the
expenses of operating the canal ex-
empting the coastwise trade. Second
TO AFFORD an opportunity to adjust
all questions of diplomacy touching
the tolls
Chairman Adamson insists that his
resolution affords a happy way out
OF the difficulty:
IF II demonstrated that the tolls
from other vessels are sufficient to
SPARE the tolls proposed TO be RENTED
to the coastwise vessels the state de-
partment will be given ample time TO
adjust the diplomatic questions aris-
ing under the treaty and IL the ad-
yocates OF exemption are correct in
their estimates that sufficient revenues
may be derived from sources than tax
ing the coastwise trade the diplomatic
questions are settled in their favor
and the executive order win put the
exemption in force.