Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-04-13
FREE TOLLS PLANK.
Originals Spousers Are Now Repu.
dating Measure.

Friends of the administration have
E.c.ut the ground from under the Dem
ocratic opposition to the repeal of
the free tolls clause.
| A partial symposium of the views
of men who were delegates to the
Baltimore convention and who voted
fer the free tolls plank in the Dem
ocratic platform shows that the
original sponsors of the plank now
repudiate it approximately five to
ore.
Replving to a circular letter sent
out by Senator Gore, of Oklahoma,
on the first of this month, 33S dele
gates already have declared in favor
of the repeal, 50 against repeal, and
II noncommittal.
Secretary Redfeld, of the Depart
ment of Commerce, has issued a
statement connecting Hawaiian su-
gar refners with the Panama Canal
tolls fight, pointing out that they
are the shippers chiefly interested in
the exemption of American vessels
from tolls.
A strong appeal to the country in
general and to the Democratic voters
in particular to determine their at
iitude on the repeal controversy upon
it's merits, and not to be led astray
by an agitation foundaed on selfish
interest is contained in an editorial
Secretary Bryan has written for the
April number of the Commoner,
which he made public last night.
Mr.. Bryan takes up one by one the
arguments of the opposition and dis
poses of them in an orderly and con-
else manner. He shows that the
free tolls plank was inserted in the
Baltimore platform if not through
misunderstanding, at least as the
result of a lack of understanding on
the part of the delegates. He shows
conclusiveIy that the plank in ques-
Hion is in direct contravention of the
fundamental opposition of the party
to subsidy, and in all respects subor-
dinate to the plank in the same plat
form against subsidizing the Amer
lean merchant marine.
Mr.. Bryan, 2lnnr;- oFher things
says:
The repeal of the law cannot be
construed to be q construction OF
the treaty.
It is a refusal on the part OF the
United States to raise that question
in that way.
The Chief Executive speaks for
the nation in international affairs
and il is only fair to assume that ne
speaks advisedly when he declares
that intercourse with ether nations
is seriously embarrassed by the free
tolls law, which he seeks to repeal
The question is not what we can
do but what we ought to do.
Secretary Bryan refers to the cx-
emption plank in the Baltimore plat
form as "lit.le plank and to the
announcement en- subsidies as the
"larger plank
In the tolls case "the President
takes responsibility for an Official
act, which he regards as necessary
for his country's welfare, and the
people must decide whether or not
he is justified, and those who refuse
to act with him also assume respon'
,sibility, and they, too, must abide
the Judgment of the public"
Had the Democrats in convention
assembled been confronted by the
condition which now exists, no such
plank ever would have been placed
in the platform.
Mr.. Bryan says that a platform
plank dealing with internationa
questions should be taken Gas the
expression of a wish rather than az
the expression of a determination.
If a nation desires to array itseh
against the world it should be sure
that the thing which it is to gain is
worth what it costs.
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