The Washington herald., 1914-03-19
FIRST GUN fired
AT TOLLS REPEAL
Senator Jones Makes Sharp
Attack on Presidents
Policy.
I,>M0n nEII G INlInI UEn
E-NOR OF u. S. INVOLVED
Republican Demands that Mr.. Wilson
Give Congress Reasons for
Changing His Mind.

The first attack on the Presidents
policy OF repeating the free tolls legisIa-
ton ws5 made in the Senate yesterday
by Senator Wesley Jcnes, Of washing
ton. n Republican.
Discussing the Presidents attitude on
free tolls Senator Jones said:
1T was expressly approved by Mr..
Wilson as the candidate Of the Demo-
cratic party for President OF the United
States. He took particular pains to tell
the farmers Of the country that free tolls
would he a great benefit TO them in the
regulation OF transcontinentai railroad
rates, and assured them that everything
that is done in the interest Of cheap
transportation is done directly for the
farmer as well as for other men, and to
impress them with the friendly attitude
Of the Democratic party and its candi-
dates he assured them that our plat
form is not molasses TO catch flies. II
means business-and they who talk one
way and vote another are going to be
re tired to very quiet and private re-
treat Our Democratic friends are most
sclicitous for the farmer during cam
raign. but he seems to be their special
target in legislation.
Takes Opposite View Now.
The President must have thought then
that our action in eNempting coastwise
ships was wise, just, beneficial and hon
orable He must have thought the
meaning of the treaty clear and plain.
He now urges us by special message to
repeal this legislation. II we do so. IL is
az irrevocable act The burden OF tolls
must rest forever on ou: coastwise ships
unless We see fit to relieve all vessels
from tolls.
What argument does he present. what
- fn,- l,f oh nj
view and for reversing our deliberate
legislative action? Absolutely none. He
SAYS the exemption constitutes a mis-
taken economic policy from. every point
OF view. He gives no reason. he cites
no facts upon which to base this asser-
ton so contrary to his public declaration
in the last campaign. l assert that its
repeal will be A great economic blunder
and will benefit the Canadian Pacific
Railroad Company. Canadian interests.
and the transcontnental lines and no
others and will injure more or less every
other interest in this countr-. / shall
present facts and argument proving this
assertion when this proposed legislation
comes up for consideration.
He says the law which We passed is
in plain ContraventiOn with the treaty
With Great Britain. but presents no ar
Cument whatever sustaining that cOnten-
statement, contrary to the deliberate
Judgment of many OF the greatest minds
"f the Republic, and to the deliberate
decision OF this body by more than three |
fourths majority. Had he not studied |
the treaty before he made his campaign
speech? Was he not 70 niliar with its
plain terms then? Did he not then be-
leve our action entirely consistent with
our national honor? Surely So A mere
assertion to the contrary is not enough |
now, but he should present the reasons |
and the argument that has led him 10 |
change his mind and now assert that |
such exemption is contrary to the plain |
terms OF the treaty.
Integrity of Nslion IayoIycd.
Mr. President. there is more at issue !
now than the matter of tolls large |
question faces us-the integrity, the vita
interest. the sovereignty of the nation
is involved. The fact that We are biz !
and powerful does not require us TO he |
craven. A just and firm insistence on |
our rights will command respect and !
honor and insure peace. A weak and
puerile submission 10 selfish demands will
bring TidiCule, contempt, and dIshono.,
and invite aggression.
With no information We are expected
in schoolboy fashion to do as We are
told and ask no questions Mr.. Presi-
cent, Nnat Is the foreign policy which re-
Guires such humilatinE. COW ardly. craven
action on our part? What nation is to
he appeased by our hasty and ungrudg-
ing submission? Why is it necessary for
us TO repeal a law Of great domestic i
concern in order that some foreign, un-
known policy may be brought TO a sue
cessful issue? Is nonintsrference in Mex
leo by foreign powers to be bought at 1
this price? Have we become so inert. so /
weak. so supine. so servile that the Mon
roe Doctrine must he sustained and in
\ igorated by the very powers against
which II was invoked?
Are we so weak or so entangled in the
meshes of our own diplomacy that the
demands of England. based upon the sell i
fish interests of the Canadian Pacific
Railroad Company must be granted, right
o. wrong? Have any nations besides ,
England objected to the legislation 1t IS
10 repeal?
These are questions that must be an
.wered to rhe satisfaction of the Ameri- :
ran people. This resolution should be
passed at once and a response full and
clear should be forthcoming"