Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-02-04
By JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3.-"Not until
another national convention and a new
declaration Is made will the Demo-
cratic party, in control of congress aft
er March 4, repeal the law opening the
Panama canal free to American coast
wise shipping.
i am INDUCING in no predictions
1t seems to me, however, that Demo
Gratis who favor repeal of the toll
free provision must wait for the solemn
declaration of another Democratic con-
vention. The last convention adopted
unanimously a declaration in favor Of
free passage
That Is Democratic doctrine now,
and l think 1t will stand for the next
four years"
Thls rs the answer flung back to Mr..
Adanson, of the house, and to Mr.
Root Of the senate, by James A. O'Gor-
man. Democratic senator from New
YORK. 1t came in answer to Mr.. Adam
sons prediction that President Wilson
would recommend the repeal of the
toll-free section, and certainly no one
Will doubt that Senator O'Gorman is
oetoer prepared to speak for Woodrow
Wilson than Mr.. Adamson.
Distinct Challenge to Wilson.
The statement Of Senator O'Gorman
goes further and is distinct challenge
to President Wilson to stand by the
platform on which he was elected and
which makes his party creed until an
other convention is assembled. The
New York Democrat is standing like a
stone wall in defense Of the American
idea and the party faith.
An utterance even more notable was
made in the house. James Mann, of
Illinois, is Republican leader of the
house OF representatives and the ablest
sl-round Republican in either house.
If there is ever another Republican
house in this decade, Mann villa be it's
speaker.
The Republican leader has Just de-
livered a ringing American speech in
the house. Read Mr.. Mann's strong
and convincing statement and find, If
you can, any hope for reversal in the
house of the majority vote for free
American tolls
Mann Replies to Root.
Mr.. Chairman, nearly every day
now we read of some article or
some speech attacking the provi-
sion in the Panama canal bill
which congress passed last sum
ner in regard to the question Of
tolls. and particularly that portion
OF the law which exempted coast
wise vessels from the payment of
tolls 1t seems to me there is a
concerted effort being made by
somebody to discredit the action Of
congress. Whether that effort pro-
ceeds in part from the activity Of
the transcontinental railways,
whose rates are likely to be affect
ed seriously by the reduction of the
cost Of carriage by water 1 do not
undertake at this time to say, but
l read the other day a published
statement attempting to discredit
the action of congress by the as
sumption that when that bill was
under consideration in the house
and IN the senate there were no
members present to speak of, and
those who were here were worn out
and too tired to think"
Calls It Misrepresentation.
The published statement" to which
Mr.. Mann referred was the speech by
Elfhu Root in the senate Tuesday,
January 81. and the language Mr.
Mann read was as follows:
We must an realize as we look
back that when the provision was
adopted the members of both
houses were much exhausted; we
were weary, physically and mem
tally. Such discussion as there was
was to empty seats. In neither
house OF congress during the pc
Rod that this provision was under
discussion could there be found
more than a scant dozen or two of
members.
This statement of alleged fact by the