The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1914-04-02
NEWS FROM OUR
NATIONAL CAPITAL
Panama Canal Tolls Exemption
Issue Absorbing Topic in
Congress.

VOuSs Goo
washington.-Report that an or
xanized effort would be made in the
senate to delay the passage OF the Dill
repeating Panama toll exemption
aroused administration leaders during
the general debate of the issue in the
house. ~. II.
The intimation that prolonged fill
buster in the senate had been deter
mined on, now that the first decisive
battle had been won by the president
was reported to several senatorial sup
porters of the administration, and II
was suggested that Senator O'Gorman,
chairman of the committee OF inter
oceanic canals, already was delaying
consideration of the measure by his
committee.
A. poll showed the senate inter-
oceanic committee, to which the Dill
repeating the exemption of tolls to
coastwise American ships will be re-
ferred following it's passage by the
house, will vote seven for and seven
against the bill 49,. .@...
For the bill: Chiffon, Shields. Owen,
Simmons, Brandegee, Gage and Thorn
ton. i.
Against the bill: O'Gorman, chair
man; Thomas, Walsh, Borah, Craw-
pric
AS. result it is expected that the
bill will be reported out on the floor
without recommendation.
Party Leaders Against President.
President Wilson won the opening
skirmish of the greatest legislative
battle of his administration when the
house, over bitter protests from the
recognized democratic leaders and al
most solid minority opposition, adopt
ed special rule for the consideration
of the bill repeating the provision of
the Panama canal act exemptine
coastwise American ships from tolls.
Speaker Clark, democratic leader
Underwood, Republican Leader Mann
AM: Progressive Leader Murdoch were
at the mead of those lined up against
the administration, but the house re-
sponded to the presidents personal
appeal for prompt consideration OF
+ir repeal bill as means Of support
ing the administration foreign policy.
The debate in the house was spirit
ed on both sides, party lines being
disregarded. Representative Fitzger.
aid. chairman of the appropriations
committee, Joined with Speaker Clark
and Mr.. Underwood In the revolt
against the president.
Other Tolls Bills Before COMMITTEES.
There are other bills pertaining to
the issue before the canals COMMITTEES
and no one will predict how long the
committee will hold the subject under
consideration. Senator Chiffon has q
bill which, instead of directly repeal
ing the tolls exemption clause. would
put it up to the president to deter
mine what ships should pay tolls
Then there is Senator Lewis bill EN-
towering the president to suspend
tolls, and another. introduced by Sena
tor Reed. would repeal the tolls ex
emption and then grant to foreign
|s1hips the right to compete with Amer
ostwise ships, bill designed
Benator put it, ito break an!
IN coastwise shipping monop
may exist"
Wilson sustains Page.
hg received copy Of Ambas
Page's recent speech in London
Heb Senator Chamberlain ant
took exception on account o
noes to the Monroe doctrine an,
mama canal, President Wilson
Alters he thought the speech wa
fly proper.
National Capital DFevities.
6er striking out the amendmen
liking pooling, the senate repasse
bill to regulate trading in cottol
les.
Vel imports have fallen off 81
boo under the new tariff. Bot
many and the United KingdoI
the United States In imports Q
and steel. says Washington r,
enezuela and the United State
e signed new peace treaty whic
9xides that questions which cannc
settled by diplomacy may be r,
red to an international commissio
at least one year.
Senators Poindexter and Hall a
cked as special legislation the bi
tho aa1n ~ mol p3Ohxo - eos.