The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-04-09
S|MMER|NG STAGE
IN TOLLS BATTLE.
HEADERS ON BOTH SIDES PRE-.
PAIRING FOR FINAL
CLASH.
REPUBLICANS TRY TO UNITE
Minority Senators Making Concerted
Effort to Defeat Repeal Is the
Report-New Bill Is
Introduced.
REPUBLICANS TRY TO UNITE

Washington, April 6.-The Panama
.eanal toll exemption controversy has
reached the simmering stage in the
senate, pending immediate considera-
tion Of the repeal bill and proposed |
compromises by the committee on in
teroceanic canals Leaders on both |
sides continue their activities, pre-
pairing for the final clash of the great |
legislative battle.
Two Salient Points.
Two salient points are emphasized |
in the under current developments.
lone is the concerted effort being made
by Republican senators to unite
against the presidents repeal policy
on the ground of political expediency.
and the other is the reinforced de-
termination of administration leaders
to yield to no compromise on the
house bill, providing for fiat repeal of
toll exemption for American ships.
: Among Republican senators who
nave been classified as doubtful with
regard to their intentions concerning
the repeal, there is a general tendency
to line up against the president Dem
ocratic senators who are championing
'>the presidents cause assert that. they
welcome this movement confident that
it can have no other effect than to sol
idify themselves and assuring success
Cor the administration.
Expect Minority Support.
These Democrats, while admitting
that five of their number cannot be
induced to abandon their opposition
to the bill, insist that there is every in
dication that all majority senators
eventually will support the bill. They
: also are assured Of support for the
measure by some of the Republican
senator's, despite the effort Of some
minority members to act against the
president
Such Republicans as Senator Root,
Lodge, Burton and McCumber are
counted upon as unalterably opposed
to toll exemption for American ships
and with these votes the administra-
ton leaders maintain their confidence
that nothing can prevent ultimate
victory for the repeal bill. One Repub-
lican senator who will vote against
the repeal bill said that he was con-
10 carry out the repeal.
A bill authorizing the president to
contract with non-registered steam
ships and lines using the Panama can
al was introduced by Representative
f,dmonds of Pennsylvania. Under it
tolls of American ships would be re-
emitted for period of 10 years the
amount of such tolls to be payable out
Of the treasury every six months ana
The American ships would be required
70 carry mails of all kinds without
charge to the government The con-
tracts would be with first class YES
sells trading between the eastern and
western coasts of the United Sttaes
and Mexico, Central and South Amer
lca, and subject to all existing or flu
lure general United States laws.
Proof would be required that these
cessels were not rairoad-controlled.
Provisions of New Bill.
"All agreements made with outer
parties or lines including railroad
lines" the bill provides, "shall be ap.
proved by the department OF com
nerce and all freight rates shall be
oosted with and subject to revision
by the proper authorities
These ships sor lines would not be
prohibited from prorating with all-rail
roads on an equitable basis, but would
be required to agree that in national
emergencies they would be held at
federal disposal and to agree to give
preferences to goods made and pro-
luced in the United States.