Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-04-29
PEOPLE IN FAVOR OF
FREE TOLLS HE SAYS
(From Saturdays Daily.)

NrIOm Saturdays OaIly.)
81 believe that the sentiment OF
the people of Prescott and vicinity
is in favor Of free tolls for Aneri-
can coastwise vessels through the
Panama Canal" said K. T. Van
Ettisch, OF Los Angeles who is in
Prescott to learn the position of
the people on this question.
81 have talked to a great many
people" said Mr.. Van Ettisch "and
l find that with the exception OF
those who have reasons for support
ing the Presidents action, the ma
jority of others take the strong
American position that the Panama
Canal was built for the benefit of
the American people and that the
people should not be robbed of the
benefits that will come from cheap
er freight rates and stimulated
coastwise commerce through the ex-
emption of American coastwise YES
sells from the S.l25 a ton toll which
will only be added to the freight
rate the shipper and consumer will
have to pay.
Il find a few we'll known lawyers
here divided on the question of
treaty violation. which has been
disproven by some of the best au-
thorities on international law in the
nation.
"In this connection I wish to
quote etter on the treaty matter.
received here by Judge Daniel E.
Parks from Senator O'Gorman chair
man OF the senate committee on
interoceanic canals. O'Gorman says:
THE question Immediately invol-
we'd regarding the Panama canal is
not whether the United States is
embraced in the expression all ma
tons That would become impor
tant if we sought TO exempt all
American ships from the payment
OF tolls. As it is we sought to
exempt coastwise vessels. The
word vessels as used in the treaty
refers to vessels engaged in over
seas trade. Our conduct regarding
our coastwise trade presents To-
cal or domestic question which does
not fall within the contemplation OF
the treaty. The treaty OF 1915 has
similar provisions regarding the
equality of all vessels in the har-
bors OF each country, and yet Great
Britain for 80 years gave her local
coastwise shipping preferential rates
and when an Interpretation of this
same treaty came before the SUI
preme Court of the U. S, in Olsen
vs.. Smith, 1875 u. S. it was held that
the domestic or coastwise shipping
was not affected by the terms of
the treaty. The same reason will
offer ample justification for the
legislation which is now provoking
so much controversy"
The Panama canal tolls matter
has been discussed more by the citi-
zens of Prescott since Mr.. Van Et-
tisch arrived here than at any time
since the controversy started.
Friends OF Senator Ashurst. promi-
nent Democrats and others here
yesterday sent kilograms 10 both
Senators Ashurst and Smith at
Washington, urging them to vote
first, last and all the tine for free
tolls and the right Of the United
States to regulate its own domestic
coastwisc commerce without the in
reference of any foreign nation.
Mr.. Van Ettisch urged the free
toll advocates here to express them
selves to their senators and among
those who did this yesterday were:
Mayor w. Fl. Timcrhoff. P. w.
O'Sullivan, Judge Daniel E. Parks,
r. T. Belchcr, X. p. Talbot, Judge
Charles ii McLane, II. c. Burmis-
ter, Joseph II. Morgan, William H.
Doyle, Z. S. Clark. Joe w. Wilson
and others.