Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-06

ger that organized conspiracy railroads of this country
and Canada will destroy of the greatest benefits of the Pan
anna Canal to the American people,
Briefly these the facts For twenty five years the trans
continental railroads successfully opposed the construction OF the
They opposed this tremendous development
Meeting greatest and bringing Eastern and
10000 miles to each other because the
canal would compel the railroads reduce their freight rates
The transporting goods by water always much less
than by land and in is not half as much.
When they could longer delay the coming of this remen
dous American people they made desperate strug
gle allowed ships through the canal which the rail
owned and also to prevent American ships
going through the canal free of toll charge The railroads
that if they could their ships through the canal
they could with their gigantic financial soon drive
every independent steamship line of the canal they have
done everywhere they operate steamships They also knew that
toll charge levied every ship that passed through the
canal would the of water transportation by just
that amount by also would relieve the railroads
from the necessity reducing their rates by land
Therefore years ago. when the law governing the of
before Congress- the railroads poured their horde
of trained lobbyists Capital City prevent free tolls and
obtain for themselves the right to operate ships through the
canal
it happened to be moment when Congress was sin
guay the influence of the corporations The national
election was on The specter Roosevelt genius courage
and energy given canal doomed dary the
in Congress usually take their orders from these
lions.
The Democratic party had Just held its national convention
trade ought not to toll for passing through
the canal.
So the railroads were denied right operate their
steamships canal and the attempt make the American
ships passing through the canal pay toll voted down
whelmingly in the Senate. ONLY ELEVEN SENATORS
VOTED Of course Lodge that notorious reaconary
who gregouy mpesens Massachusetts, and Crane also
voted for the railroads EVERY DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE
VOTED TO LET AMERICAN SHIPS PASS THE CANAL FREE
OF TOLL CHARGES.
Thus it seemed that one of the great objects which the
people had spent four hundred million dollars the
canal had been securedwch to reduce the cost OF trans
porting goods across the American continent
But the railroads do not surrender after defeat With
election day they calculated that the they accus
toned to conro both parties would dare TO take orders once
they could be supplied with excuse for chang
ing their votes This was ngenousy furnished in
the outrageous preene that must have the friendship of
Great Britain in dangerous isolation in the worlds affairs
Great Britain opposed to free tolls ships because the
Canadian Pacific Railroad opposed to it, Great Britain bases
her claim of right protest on the ground that violation
of her treaty rights.
Now great cry has been raised that our honor requires us
abandon free tolls for American ships 1t pretended that
difficult straits in international relations and must have
the respect and friendship of Great Britain or some unnamed
catastrophe likely befa This the strange story that
President Wilson is whispering into the of the Democratic
members of Congress
The British protest when the canal question
before Congress two years ago. and it WAS REJECTED BY
CONGRESS THEN. 1T WAS REJECTED BY THE DEMO
CRATIC PARTY IN ITS NATIONAL CONVENTION which
pledged the Democrats Congress to vote for free tolls and
pledged also Mr. Wilson whom nominated for President MIR
WILSON HIMSELF REJECTED THE BRITISH PROTEST
AND ADVOCATED FREE TOLLS ON THE STUMP DURING
THE CAMPAIGN.
Wha mas happened since 10 brng ABOUT TINS change IN
opinions? Nothing ALL except that election and
men in Congress are less controlled by public opinion.
Do the Democrats dare to repudate their platform repu
date their the behest of these railroads the
fear of the Presidents power to dispose of patronage?
Where William j. Bryan in this crisis? He declared
and again that the MAN WHO VIOLATES HIS PARTY
PLATFORM is WORSE THAN THIEF This question
arises out of the State Department and Mr. Bryan head
OF the State Department He the Committee Resolutions
OF the last Democratic convention that drew the platform
which declared favor free tolls for American ships On thy
voceess lips the heroic lay tuneess now On matter arts
ing out OF his very department he watches silence conspiracy
which according to his political code than theft
When the Democratic members of Congress called to
account by their constituents they will not be allowed to hide be
hind the skirts OF the President He will not be the keeper of
their conscience of their judgment We have neither
ont maevoent despom this country Congress there
to make the laws and Representative Senator abdcae
his powers or duties IN favor of the President without being
onabe to his country he be driven by power
denla patronage to Republication of his party platform
to