Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1913-10-31
SENATOR ". |. JONES
WAS GUEST OF CITY
Addressed the Chamber of Commerce
and Talked To the Students of the
College

United States Senator Jones was
the attraction at the weekly supper
of the Chamber OF Commerce, which
was held at the congregational
church Tuesday evening and his pres
ence attracted a large attendance.
After the routine business had been
finished the distinguished visitor was
introduced by President Sanger. who
stated that the bars were down and
he was at liberty to talk on any sub
ject as long as he desired.
After commencing the organiza-
ton for the good work it is doing,
the senator said that he would dis
cuss from a non-partisan standpoint
some matters OF national legislation
OF interest to the people of the North
west. He first paid high eulogy to
the sincerity and patriotism Of Presi-
dent Wilson and stated that while he
could not endorse all the Wilson pol
icies, he admired and trusted the
president and hoped that his admin
istration would prove an unqualified
success.
He then briefly discussed the legis-
lation which is pending for the de-
Nelopment of Alaska and stated that
without committing himself to en-
dorsing the policy Of government
ownership of railroads, he believed
that under conditions existing in
Alaska, the railroads there should be
constructed and operated by the gov
eminent and favored a bill which has
been introduced appropriating $40,-
100000 for that purpose to be eX-
pended under the direction of and
at the discretion of the president.
The speaker argued that the deyel-
opment of Alaska would be of par
ticular benefit to this state, as most
of the supplies for that great terri
tory would be furnished by Wash
ington.
In reference to the new tariff bill,
he stated that he voted against it be-
cause he could not agree with the
theory on which it is based, but add
ed that he believed it fully redeemed
the pledges made in the democratic
platform. He said that he was in
favor of giving the tariff for revenue
idea fair trial and had no syn
pathy with those who are trying to
discredit it in advance by making
ressimistic predictions as to its effect
on business. He hoped that it would
accomplish what it's supporters en-
pected for then the tariff question
would cease to be a political issue.
In regard to currency legislation
he urged patience on the part OF the
people and asserted that this issue is
not partisan one, that the members
OF all parties agree that the present
system should be changed, but that
the new plan should be thoroughly
discussed and carefully worked out
so as to get the best possible results.
Touching on the Panama canal, he
stated that he favored the free use OF
the canal by American vessels and
quoted from the treaties with foreign
countries to show that the govern
ment is under no obligations to
charge tolls for our vessels, provided
il does not discriminate between
those of foreign countries. His argu-
ment on this subject was clear and
logical and drew hearty applause.
Taking up the Mexican problem,
he said that he is in hearty sympathy
with the policy of the administration
and believed that every possible et-
fort should be made TO remain on
friendly terms with our sister repub-
lie and to refrain from armed inter-
vention. He declared that he did not
Want this nation to assume any more
burdens like the Philippines and said
that while he sympathized with the
Americans who had lost their lives
or property in Mexico, his sympathy
did not extend far enough to con-
vince him that Americans who had
remained in this country should be
sent to Mexico to suffer and die in
order to avenge the deaths or protect
the property of men who had gone
there with their eyes open to the
situation and the risks they were tax
ing.
He concluded by expressing the
hope that he would not be consid-
cred as a truant, because he had left
his post in the senate and for the
first time in IA years service was
visiting his constituents while con-
gress was in session. He gave as his
reason for so doing the fact that no
business will be transacted in the