Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-20
TURNING DOWN OF ROOT AMEND.
MENTpurs PROBLEM OVER TO
NEXT CONGRESS.
WILSON MAY FAVOR FREE
PASSAGE OF COAST sHlPs
oppositlon Of Railroads Likely TO Force
p President to Take Popular Side
Railroads Also to Oppose Plans to
Establish Government Line Of Yes.
sells 70 Play From Coast to Coast.
rBy Special Correspondence

Washington, Feb. 20-Action of the
senate committee on interoceanic can
ais in turning down the Root bill for
the repeal of free tolls thru the Pan
anna canal, means that the question OF
repeal Is going over to the new con-
sIcss and the new administration. A
big battle promises to rage over II.
Friends Of President Elect wilson are
predicting that he will insist on repeal
of the free tolls provision or arbitra-
ton. This comes without authority
from Mr.. Wilson, and in view OF the
charges that the transcontinental rail
roads are lobbying for repeal. 1t Is not
so certain the new president will OPP
pose free tolls.
Question UP in Air.
In any event, it is doubtful whether
congress is going to repeal free toiis
or whether the senate is going to suo-
nit the matter to arbitration. Another
interesting phase Of the canal question
is coming up, however and Will prop
ably cause quite as much discussion
as the free tolls issue before 1t Is ois-
posed Of This Is the authorization OIL
a government line Of vessels to ply pc
tween Atlantic and Pacific ports OF the
United States. ;.
Representative Stephens, OF CAN
fornia has a bill for such q govern
mert line. Senator Bristow also mas
one. Mr.. Stephens is not pressing the
hill, now because he does not deem the
time ripe. But he purposes to press ~
next session. He holds that II free tolls
,re allowed for vessels in the coast
,ra,,,. and Ii, addition to that the gov
errment establishes line OF Vesseis
n,vinp between the chief eastern ana
chief Pacific coast ports, carrylhs
goods at reasonably low rates. au
making good time, then there WIZ ne
established genuine wafer compel
ton for the railroads which VIII
duce freight rates materially.
Mr.. stephens is getting reaoy ~
make a hard fight for MS Dill ii .,ie
house next regular session or at t',o
earliest opportunity. The Dill Is pehu
ing before the house interstate COM
merce committee.
Private Lines 70 Oppose.
| The proposition OF government. en-.
ed line of steamships running 'hfu
the canal will, of course, excite po"
fri imposition. 1t will encounter the
onposition Of private ship owners
Moreover. the railroad influences
against 1t will be intense. Further
more. many members will decry 1t on
the ground that it is the enter'ns
wedge to government ownership o,
other things. such as telephones ana
telegraphs and even OF railroads.
On the other hand. there VIII DE
strong support for the idea OF a gov
eminent line. Government o"nershlp
does not brighten all OF congress no"
adays Time was. when 1t could DE
talked only in whispers. But posi-
! master General Hitchcock has adVo-
Gated government ownership OF teie-
era mis-. the government, thru the ran
anna Railroad Company, now mas
| line of boats 40 the canal, the admlh
| istrotion advises a government owned
railroad in Alaska, and there is pre-
yai,ing belief the interstate commerce
commission is not unfriendly to taking
over the telephone and telegraph sys-
terms. or will not be, when the pending
inquiry is finished. The Stephens bill
therefore, will get support that lie"
wears ago would have been considered
utterly out Of the bounds OF possibll-