The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-03-24
CLARK, UNDERWOOD AND kIIcH-
IN ARE BITTERLY OPPOSED
TO THE MEASURE
And Have Strong Support in Other
Two Psrties-Sutherlan TO Be
Guest at cinner-Notes.
BY CHARLES BROOKS SMITH.


WASHINGTON. ID. C., Mar "a
The battle IL on over the repeal of the
free tolls clause in the Panama Canal
act, and the battlefield Is the House
of Representatives. On this issue
President Wilson's remarkable domi-
nancy over his party In Congress Is
put TO the supreme test On the tar
IN he was able to hold his party 8
Congressional representatives to do
the extent of tariff reducing he want
ed done, even though many OF them
went directly opposite to their own
farming interests of their respective
districts. He had the tariff plank in
the Baltimore convention to back him
up in his demands. He forced them
to do The tariff job as he wanted Il
done
The situation on the tolls repeal
Question rs considerably different.
What he wants done now Is directly
opposite to the plank in his party's
national platform, which declared
strong. emphatic and unambiguous
words in favor of free tolls through
the Panama Canal for American coast
wise shipping. He encounters a ma
tionally aroused interest in the issue
he has forced which Is keenly alert.
and which. at the same time. repre-
sents sentiment that Is more large
~ opposed 10 his views thar other
wise. In House and Senate the solid
ly cemented ranks which stood with
out crack or crevice when tariff,
currency and other caucuE-stamped
measures were pending. are shattered
Party lines are in one grand miNup
tangle and chaos Leading Democrats
viii oppose their Presidents plans.
and leading Republicans will defend
them. But. for the most part Repub.
licans and Progressivcs in the House
will vote against repeal
Offensive and defensive alliances
have been formed b. rien who never
before have made common cause
either in political way OF In mat
ters OF legislation. on the other
hand. old time political associations
have been broken. and II BE- under
stood that private discussions Of the
administration NIL have reached such
y pass that old friendships have been
threatened
Leaders Nov Opposed.
Heretofore In the conduct OF the
Democratic House Representative
Underwood Of Alabama. Speaker
C,ark and Representative Kitchin. OF
North Carolina. who o. slated for
leader when Mr. Underwood retires
from the place at the end Of this
congress. have always been found
hrhtinE the hghts ~ the Wilson adj
ministratlOn. Tn this instance alt
these Democratic leaders viii be
found on the firing line with Repub-
licans and Irogresfives throwing hot
shot az the administration forces.
Lender Underwood and the other
Democrats mentioned will have the
support % such strong opposition
leaders az Republican Leader Mann
Of Illinois. and Representative Muir
dock. Of Kansas the Bull Moose cap
tain IN The House The administra
ton hght will be- conducted by such
veterpn Republican leaders ss Repre-
sentative stevens. Of WnneFota. Rep
reEentativo Gardner ~ Massachusetts
and Eepree cnfafive Madden Of NH
not7- Associated with them will b.
The Democratic spokesman ~ the ad-
mintetratiOn. amouE them Adamsou
OF Georgia. Sherlev of Kentacky ana
a Mitchell Palmer Of Pennsylvania
President Wilson is applying every
force 10 make the debate brief Wp
would limit ~ to fifteen hours N he
can have his way. but that prOposi.