Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-27

was limited to three hours, one-half
under control of Chairman Henry and
one half under control of Rep. Camp
bell, ranking Republican Of the rules
committee, 40 minutes of the time to
be allotted to the Progressives.
Representative Henry opened the
argument for the rule. He declared
that the free tolls plank of the Balti-
more platform did not represent DEM
oeratic sentiment, and pointed out that
when the Panama canal act was pass
ed only u Democrats in the House
voted for free tolls, while "a voted
against the provision.
Il propose" he said, ito aid in the
correction of blunder that has been
committed by the American Congress.
This free tolls provision violates a
treaty and contract we have with
England and other nations. The Pres
ident of the United States has come
to the House and has summoned us
to his aid in this great crisis and l
propose to follow him..
Mr. Henry asserted that the Amer
lean people secured no benefit from
free tolls, and asserted that the yes
sells that would profit from the exemp-
ton are owned by the steel trust,
the Standard Oil Trust, the Southern
Railway, the New Haven Railway, the
Seaboard Air Line
He quoted from the report of the
shipping trust investigating commit
tee to show that railroads controlled
most of the American ships which
would use the canal.
Tribute to Wilson
Representative Henry paid a tribute
to the President as having the Jack
sonian courage to call upon Congress
to aid in correcting this colossal blum
der"
Representative Campbell of Kansas,
Republican, opened the argument for
the opponents of the rule.
1.-The contention of the gentleman from
Texas" he said, ''as to railroad-owned
ships is futile. The very terms of the
Panama canal act, which 1t is not propos-
ed to repeal. specifically forbid the use
of the canal to railroad-owned ships. The
President told us a few days ago that
right or wrong, we must repeal this pro-
vision, and In a mysterious fashion refers
to the foreign policy of the adminstra-
ton. He told us that if we do not grant
him this request in ungrudging measure
he will not know what to do in other
very important matters. What is the for
eign policy of the administration? Does
the President know? No; nobody else
does"
Representative Campbell closed his ar
gument with the question:
he ali RI a.
with the name of the British lion; does
the young American eagle tremble with
fear when the British lion only growls?'
Representative Pou of North Carolina
argued that the question involved was
purely whether the United States is sup
posed to keep it's contract made with
Panama canal. He pointed out that the
President could have no object in acced-
ing to Great Britain's request other than
the desire to serve best the interest of the
people of America.
| Progressive opposition to the rule and
| to the repeal bill was voiced by Rep. KEEL
| ly of Pennsylvania, the Progressive mem
Der of the rules committee. He declared
| that the three political parties had all
pledged themselves to the free tolls pro-
vision in their 1912 platforms and said
the people had expressed their approval
of the provision In the election.
Madden's Support
Representative Madden of Illinois made