Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-06
GAUNTLET OF
SENATE NOW
PREPARING
FOR REPEAL

Washington, April 5.-With the
scene of activity on the issue of Pan
anna toll exemption repeal shifted to
the Senate, plans still remain in the
formulative stage for the final strug-
gle in the controversy.
Program Outlined
Formal consideration of the bill to
repeal toll exemption for American
ships will be taken UP Tuesday morn
ing by the committee on inter-oceanic
canals. Besides the House bill upon
which President Wilson and his adj
herents propose to stand, the commit
tee will have before it various amend
ments and proposed compromises and
these will be discussed during the
week before any formal report is made
to the Senate.
While the committee Is at work, pre-
liminary discussion of the tolls subject
will continue in the Senate. That there
will be flood of oratorical effort
which will far exceed in length and
intensity the 20-hour debate on the
bill in the House is conceded
The most optimistic proponents of
repeal do not look for a vote for three
weeks.
Administration Leader
Senators Hoke Smith of Georgia,
James of Kentucky and Owen of Okla
homa, are to lead the administration
forces in the contest. From the Re-
publican side they will be aided by
Senators Root, Lodge and McCumber.
Democratic opposition forces will be
directed by Senators O'Gorman of
New York, Chamberlain of Oregon and
Ashurst of Arizona. On the Republi-
can side, Senator Gallinger, the mi
nority leader. will direct opposition to
the repeal and such as Senator Pen
rose and Oliver are planning to con-
solidate the Republican vote against
repeal insofar as that can be done.
Wilson Retains Confidence
Many Progressive Republican sena-
tors VIII join the opposition, but de-
pite the formidable array of the anti
administration forces the President
ana his supporters retain confidence
That the repeal cause will be upheld.
Little general legislation is expected
IN the Senate until this all absorbing
issue is decided. The House will de-
vote itself this week to putting through
the delayed appropriation measures.
General debate will be started proba-
bly, Tuesday or Thursday on the naval
bill. Meantime, Representative Know
lana of California is threatening to
call up early in the week his resolu-
ton asking for the state departments
correspondence with Great Britain re-
garding Panama tolls
Conservation measures are being
rushed through in the House public
lands committee. The committee will
take up the national leasing bill Tues
day.
With the interstate trade commits
sion bill agreed upon and to be re-
ported early this week to the House
the Interstate Commerce committee
Is not disposed to hurry action on the
proposed measure to provide federal
control of railway capitalization, but
the hearings may be declared closed
this week and consideration of the
measure in in executive session begun
The antitrust bills which members
of the House judiciary committee
have agreed should be consolidated
and reported as an omnibus measure
to carry out the administration views
for meeting the problems of the in
terlocking directorates, holding COM
panies, trade relations and denitions
of restraints of trade, are marking
time on the House side. The judiciary
committee is working over the ques-
ton of what course to persue with re-
spcct to the resolutions proposing
censure for Rep. McDermott of Illi-
nois and the officers of the National
Association of Manufacturers on ac-
count of their activities disclosed in
the lobby investigation. The commit
tee expects to vote on this matter
Tuesday.