The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-26


 --~>-----~---~------>~-- instance to prevent an overwhelming public sentiment pouring in on Con gress against repeal
 Members Absent
 Another thing which creates an ele- ment of doubt as to the results in the there are only 2S0 to 300 of the House membership in Washington. From 125 to 50 members are in their districts engaged in an effort to be renomi- mated for Congress Just at this time the newspapers of the country are full of this all absorbing topic and the peo- pie are expressing themselves upon the question, either in support of the Pres ident's plan of repeal, or against it In some sections the sentiment against repeal Is very strong; so strong the civic organizations, patriotic societies, and commercial bodies have drafted resolutions and petitions to Congress on the subject Congressman from these districts now not present in Washington. more than likely will re- ceive pressure to return and vote against repeal, and the number of them that may do so may effect the result materially.
 The administration has also suf fered because of the lack of leadership in the House. Underwood, Kitchen victions running opposite to those of the President find themselves unwil- ling opponents for the first time of an administration policy. The President therefore has to depend upon the less experienced Shirley of Kentucky, an able and zealous congressman, but without the qualities of leadership in a contest of this character that insures success. Sims of Tennessee and Adam son of Georgia and Palmer of Penn sylvania are doing what they can with Shirley. The first move to limit the Fitzgerald, Doremus and others whc debate to Ia hours was a mistake of the leadership, the responsibility for which the President was quick to deny. The House refuses to be gagged" on the contrary, the debate is going to be the warmest which the House has seen for a good long time.
 r Strong and telling blows are being de- livered by those opposed to repeal. At tention. of congressman wavering on the question, and the attention of the country is being called to the fact that the cor respondence between the state depart ment and the British government discloses the fact that Great Britain practically admits, If exception of tolls is confined strictly to the vessels engaged in our COdSLW1Se Ifdue, IfOnl WHICH tlt NtSStiS Of every other country is prohibited by law to engage. the ground for British ob- jection are practically removed. They con- tend that we are surrendering something to Great Britain that they really make no contention for.
 Another disclosure which has affected the situation is the recently discovered ac- tivities of the Carnegie peace organiza- ton, and the fact that thousands of dol lars of MT. Carnegie's money has been spent In a propaganda to repeal canal tolls. Carnegies supposed efforts for peace between the nations are subjected to criticism, and the suspicion that his real efforts were directed toward the pro- motion and exploitation of British com merce. Senator Root of New York a strong advocate of repeal, is Carnegie's s attorney, and connected intimately with his peace fund.
 The change uG sentiment in the Senate has kept pace with the change in the House In that body the debate on repeal may last indefinitely and the opposition Is so strong. and has gained so much strength in the past two weeks. that the issue will be the most hotly contested one in which the Senate has engased for years.
 Between Two Duties
 Members of both the House and Sem ate not yet decided afe the prizes for which both sides are striving. Democrats are wavering between the duty they owe a platform declaration and the support they feel they ought to give the Presi- dent himself. even if he has changed his position since he was candidate for the nomination. Many of them believe that the situation as to our foreign relations has prompted the President to ask Con-