Evening journal., 1914-03-30
WILSON DENIES
CANAL BARGAIN
With british
Free Tolls in Exchange for
Support Of Mexican Pol
icy, Lie He Says
CHAMP CLARK Prepares TO.
FLAY The Repeater BILL.
By JOHN r. NEYIN

ny hUhN H. vi NAN
Stat Correspondent OF the United Press
WASHINGTON, March SO.-Presi-
dent Wilson today resented the
charge made on the floor Of the
House in the tolls debate by Repre-
sentative Knowland, Of California,
that the administration had entered
into a bargain with Great Britain
whereby the tolls exemption was to
be eliminated in return for England's
support on the administration Mexi-
can policy.
IN reply to the specific question
whether he had any deal with sir
William Tyrrell. secretary to Sir Ed
ward Grey, the President said:
"Of course, that answers ITSELF 1t
is Just the crovning insult of a NUM-
bor Of insults which have been in
trodueed into this debate.
This ~ mole thing reminds me Of
story Z used TO be fond of telling Of
very effective debater-I need not
say where this happened-who sent
a challenge down into a county very
hostile to him Go debate. The people
down there did not like the job v0ry
we'll, but they put up the man they
liked best and who was generally put
Up on such occasions, "a great big
husky fellow, whom they all called
Tom. The challenger was given the
first hour OF the two allotted TO the
debate and he hadn't got moro than
half way through his speech when
II became evident that he was con-
vincing his audience. Then one OF
TOMS partisans 10 the back of the
room cried out: Tom Tom, call him
q liar and make it fight
"That is the stage this debate has
reached"
lie expressed deep regret that what
had promised TO be a digniiied de-
bate. has seemed 20 degenerate into
an organized attempt 70 discrodit the
administration. The President In
sisted, however, that while this was
q great pity, It only makes the ulti-
mate result--repcal OF the tolls eX-
emption-more certain.
The President was careful TO poiut
ont that rot all OF those who differed
With him are participating in what
nc characterized as a campaign Of
Misrepresentation This action. lie
believes, is confined 70 a very small
minority in Congress.
The President does not think that
there viii be any disruption Of the
Democratic party through the fight
over free tolls lic insisted that
the tolls. creation was hardly a capital
surgical operation am that when IT
is disposed Of. the Democrats will be
found presenting united front on
public questions.
An armistice against actual con-
ilict was ia tacit force in Congress to-
day in the campaign for repeal of
the tolls exemption for American ve5-
sells It was preliminary TO the eli
max late tomorrow upon passage of
the Sims repeal resolution.
Speaker Champ Clark's speck in op-
position was the strategic play upon
which the whole situation hung. Whether
he would confine his remarks to an
sconic discussion or assail the president
and the administration repeal policy
was the question upon which the battle
vantage depended.
After having declared war on the
speaker and having decided to take the
initiative in attacking him for alleged
party treachery." the administration
forces changed front today. They de.
,ided TO let the speaker decide whether
L shall be an open conflict between him
self and the president. il there is to
DC an open break the administration
importers propose that the speaker
shall bear the olus for the party split.
If Clark bitterly attacks the president
he latter's followers in the House were
prepared TO retaliate. The speaker will
make the final Opposition speech
against the repeal late tomorrow. If be
decides upon open attack upon the pre-
sident, Representative Sherley or Repre-
tentative Adamson were expected to fire
4 broadsidc i'm return.
The House planned TO remain in ses-
sion after the dinner bell rings this even
ing and may meet at II o'clock tomor-
row, in an effort to conclude speech
making and reach the final roll call
before adjournment tomorrow. Dozens
of members spoke today under the
'Ieave TO print" privilege, some being
given one, two or three minutes, and
extending their remarks in the Con-
gressional Record.