The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-27
President Declares Congress
Should Decide Issue a.
Though No New Elements
Had Been Injected,
Some Regard 1t
Call For Rally
Reputation of Vote on Canal
Tolls Two Years Ago Not
Involved, His Claim s.
Champ Clark, Opposing
Measure, Starts Bitter Row.

WASHINGTON. Tarch 26.-Presi-
dent wilson made a statement today
of the administration argument in
favor Of the repeal Of the tolls ex-
emptl0n clause from the Panama ca
nal act The president made 1t clear
he bases his plea for the repeal sole
ly upon the eXigencies of the adj
ministration:s foreign relations. and
without consideration OF any eco
nomic policy, ear treaty rights.
The president considers that the
issue ought to be decided by con-
gress. without considering in any
way It's previous stand. because new
elements have been injected into the
situation which surpass iii import
ance and gravity those upon which
the contest hinged before congress
two years ago.
In connection with this statement
the president asserted his condolences
that the repea! will be passed by
congress, and the hands of the adj
ministratien upheld in it's dealing
with foreign governments.
Officials here believe the presi.
dents "a tement will have an inn
portant effect in strengthening the
lines Of the supporters in the house
and senate, but IN many quarters.
however, his action Is regarded as
new exhortation by him as party
leader To Democrats to. rally to his
support
Involves Ignoring Treaty.
The presidents argument is that
no reversal Of the attitude of con-
gress is involved In the repeal. He
contends that to vote the repeal now
does not involve the reputation OF
a previous stand, or the admission
that the vote on tAe Panama canal
act was wrong. He believes that the
issue raised by the new element in
the situation nj the threatened dis
turbancs of this governments rela-
tons with other powers-~sarpasseo
in Importance the other issues which
were passed upon by congress two
years ago. and that the action OF
members now has no vital relation
with that taken by them.
As clearly as he deemed II proper.
the president indicated what is tho
bearing of the tolls issue on onr I'M
ternational relations, Now that the
viewpoint Of the South American re-
publics hats been expressed by their
newspapers. the president regards
the civilized world as unanimously
of the opinion that the exemption i'm
wolves the ignoring Of treaty by
the United States. With this view
held by all important governments,
Mr. Wilson anticipates that they will
not be enthusiastic about negotiating
new treaties, and trade agreements,
with the United States, unless the
situation is relieved.
Crisis Is Faced.
Champ Clark speaker or the Dem.
ocratic house of representatives,. has
Joined the ether powerful leaders in
that body who are opposing the
presidents wishes.
In statement issued tonight
Speaker Clark throws new issue
into the controversy. This is the
first time Speaker Clark has run up
the flag of revolt against the Wilson
administration, and by many 1t Is re-
garded as the beginning of a bitter
factidnal fight. In his statement ne
saws:
II am dead against the rule on the
tolls question, and intena to rote
against It, l will not stultify myself
by voting for any such rule.
"In order to liberalize tho rules and
practices of the house ] voluntarily
reliuauished a large portion OF the
powers OF the speaker, which / could
have retained by making fight. but
| honestly believed that the speaker
had too much power under the oid sys-
TEN for the good of the house, and
Of our institutions. If l were TO vote
/ for the pending rule / could not look
the house in the face.
Clark Takes Stand.
I'VE have a rule reported on Dill
on the greatest question presented IN
my twenty years in the house, besides
which tariff bills sink into pitiable
insigniticance a bill which. II passed.
win change our foreign policy. which
we have maintained for 125 years, and
only twenty hours for debate are per-
mitted under this proposed rule. On
such an important and far-reachtnk
measure, there should have been AT
least a week for debate with the un-
limited right of amendment. Surely
there is nothing sacred about the Sims
bill. and there Is no reason for this
mad rush. / Will not be party 20
ramming such rule down the throata
OF members"
Speaker clark's statement was =
shock TO the administration leaders, anu
! tonight they called a conferences 10
devise ways and means Of meeting IL
effect.
speaker CLARK Is expected to take
the floor not only In opposition to the
rule. but In opposition to the repeal
bin itself He will base his oppoAi-
| ton to the bill. among ether thlnMAs
on the ground that II Is In vtoiAfteM
of the platform pledges. II
The rule which called Forth krs
Clark q statement WIS RresenteA III
the house this afternoon by ChaifInAM
Henry, az the rules committees. III pxQ.A
.isIes that there shall he MOI aKr41
ling twenty hours general debate An xM
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