New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-13
DEMAND ARBITRATION
OF CANAL TOLL ISSUE
Two Thousand BrookIyniteS
Adopt Resolutions Unanimous
Iy at Academy of Music.
PANAMA ACT DENOUNCED
Congressman Slayden, Of Texas,
Principal Speaker at Meet
ing Over Which Seth
Low Presides.

Resolutions were unanimously adopted
at mass meeting held yesterday after
noon in the Brooklyn Academy of Music
calling upon the United states to refer the
Panama Canal tolls controversy to inter
national arbitration, If the attempt to
reach an agreement by diplomatic means
should be unsuccessful
The meeting was under the auspices of
the New York Peace Society and the
Brooklyn Institute. Seth Low, president
Of the society, presided. The principal adj
Dress was made by Congressman John NJ.
Slayden, of Texas. who spoke on The
Panama Canal Law a Menace TO Interna-
ional Peace" The attendance numbered
about 900
Congressman Slayden. in denounCing the
Panama Canal law as a menace 10 inter
national peace. said that the only sensi-
BE and honorable thing to do was to re-
peal it, as il was q fragrant violation of
treaty rights with Great Britain Then
lie dwelt upon the economic aspects Of the
case. saying that while some authorities
figured that the Panama Canal would
cost $3.50, 900. 900 before IL was completed.
his estimate was S425.000.0O0. with a
total yearly cost Of operation amounting
TO between $4,000 goo and $4,000, 600.
In view o. these enormous sums, he asked
"How are We to get anything like that
amount out Of the canal If we don't
charge tolls on American coastwise YES
sells which make use Of it,"
Dr. s p. Cadman came out most en-
rhatically for arbitration i'm all questions
in dispute between nations
Dr. Talcott Williams, the head Of tn
School Of Journalism at Columbia. in
speaking Of The Worlds open Water
ways said that IN the Panama Canal
legislation this country was following in
the footsteps Of military Germany. which
eXaCted toll from vessels going through
the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal connecting the
North Sea with the Baltic Sea. He said
the United states was cutting away from
its best traditions TO follow i'm the foot
steps Of military group I'm Europe.
which is threatened with war because the
small Balkan states demanded their
rights. IRE idea Of discriminating in
Panama Canal tolls, he asserted was a
deadly blow at the peace Of the world. as
it was opposed to justice, equity ami fair
ness
The resolutions which were introduced
10y \. Augustus Heaiy president OF the
Board Of Trustees of the Brooklyn lnsu-
u,e. follow:
Whereas. difference Of opinion has
developed between Great Britain and IN"
United States in regard to tn" pro'er IN
depreciation of the Hay-PaunCcioto
Treaty. by virtue Of which Great Britain
waived the right, recognized by an ear
lier treaty. TO share with the United
states in the construction OF an inter
oceanic canal and.
Whereas This meeting is not prepared
10 Judge as to the equity of the Ieglsla-
ton enacted by Congress and approved
by President Taft, granting free tolls TO
American ships engaged IN CoaStNlSe
trade" o. the United States, and,
Whereas, \ treaty of arbitration Is -
force between the United States and
Great Britain. by which both govern
ments have definitely agreed TO submit 10
arbitration at The Hague all differences
arising under the construction OF treaties
therefore, be il
Resolved. That this meeting, holding 10
reserve its opinion on the merits OF th'
question in dispute. cmphatcaIlE de-
mands that If the attempt 20 TcacS an
agreement by diplomatic means be UNI
successful. the settlement Of the CohtIu-
versy be referred, without hesitation, TO
international arbitration; and.
Resolved. further. That this meeting
calls upon all the churches and on an
organized bodfSs of men and women VII"
favor good will and concord among ma
tions. to adopt resolutions OF likr
tenor. to the end that the government OF
the United States may know that the
American people wish this controversy
settled honorably by mutual agreement
il possible and, falling that by arDitTa-
ton.
After the resolutions were passed, Rabbi
stephen s Wise spoke on the subject
America and the New international
Ideals