Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-02
REPEAL BILL is
ON THORNY PATH
Continued from Page Onel

clared that the gauntlet of commit
tee discharge would be hurled should
an attempt be made to impede the
measure.
That some members of the commit
tee who oppose exemption repeal de-
sire to have hearings on the bill was
apparent late today, but administra-
ton senators insisted that such hear
ings were entirely unnecessary and
that there could oe no reason for them
except in the deliberately to cause
delay. Senator O'Gorman has said re-
peatedly that there would be no un-
necessary delay in the committee in
considering the bill, but it is expected
that requests will be made of him to
grant hearings.
On this the committee may be
forced to act and it would be con-
sidered as test on the real issue. An
unfavorable report on the bill would
be followed by a minority report and
this would bring the controversy be-
fore the Senate on a motion to adopt
the minority report.
Many complications are possible in
the situation. even before the COM
nlittee, because there are half a doZ-
en- bills pertaining to the tolls ques-
ton now before the committee. That
a persistent effort will be made to
amend the repeal bill as it passed the
House is certain, hut friends of the
President declared that nothing but
fat repeal of the toll exemption will
be accepted and in support of this they
claim a safe majority. Estimates of
this majority vary from to "A.
Resolutions Introduced
Senator Norris introduced a reso-
luton which would provide for arbi-
tration of a treaty dispute in the tolls
controversy and Senator Foindexter
submitted another to provide for post
ponement of consideration of the tolls
proposition until President submits
details in confidence. if he chooses, as
to foreign relations to be affected by
toll exemption repeal. No action was
taken on either resolution.
The PoindeXter resolution follows:
Resolved: BY the Senate that the
President is hereby respectfully re-
quested to inform the Senate in con-
fidence, if he SO desires. what are the
unnamed matters of consequence and
greater delieacy referred TO in his mes
sage and
Resolved, further, that action on
the bill for the repeal of the tolls ex-
emption clause of the Panama canal
act and all consideration thereof by
the Senate or by the Senate commit
tee on interoceanic canals be deferred
until the information called for by
this resolution can be obtained
British Embassy Admission
In his preamble Senator Poindexter
asserted that the action was based on
an admission by the British embassy
that the United States had the right
to exempt its coastwise shipping and
the statement in writing OF the Brit
ish foreign minister that many materi-
al provisions the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty did not apply to the Panama
canal because he particular object of
that and preceding treaties was the
construction of a canal along the Nj
caraguan route.
The preamble also set forth that the
United States dealt wholly with the
republics of Panama and Colombia
and the French Canal CO., in obtaining
the right to build the canal and that
Great Britain had no rights or inter-
ests whatever in the transaction.
Only Serious Problems
Speaking In support of the pending
resolution, asking the President what
nations have protested against the
tolls exemption clause Senator Jones
of Washington charged that no seri-
Gus problems faced the United States
except those arising from mistakes of
the administration.
II this resolution were passed and
answered" said Senator Jones, lit
would show that no question confronts
us as nation that endangers our
peace or threatens our security or
requires any other treatment than
that of tirmness, tact and strict adher-
ence 70 justice. 1t should show no Sc
rious problems except those arising
out of the mistakes of the administra-
tor, and which would have been
avoided if Congress had beens~taken
into the confidence of the legislative.
1T would be shown that no notion
on the fact of the earth has protested
against our action in exemptng our
coastwise ships from paying tolls ex-
cept Great Britain and that she prac-
tically admitted our right to do this,
but feared we would not be able tn
enforce our laws. II might show--I
fear it would-that, taking advantage
of the situation or diplomacy has got
ten us into in relation to Mexico, she
is axacting this as a part of the price
for her assistance in eytricating our
selves from the embarra ssments of
our own making. We will stand by
the President in his treatment of the
Mexican situation whether we believe
he is taking the wise course or not |
but we will not buy Englands assist
ance at any price or the assistance of
any other nation
Senator Jones said the people of the
United States were now asked to place
their coastwise shipping ''at the mer-
cy of that nation that from the foun-
dalton of our government has used
every possible means, from piracy, |
war and discrimination, to subside
treaties and conventions to hamper
and destroy our shipping.
Great Britain did a record breaking