Arizona republican., 1914-03-07
House Committee on Inter- state Commerce Reports Favorably on Bill to Strike Out Exemption Clause
SENATE IS TO
 ACT NEXT WEEK
May Adopt Provision Au- thorizing President to Assess Tolls at Own Dis cretion, Saving Party Pledges
ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPATCHl


 WASHINGTON, March 6.-Initial steps for the repeal of the toll ex- emption clause of the Panama Canal act, as requested by the president. were taken in congress when the house committee on interstate com merce reported favorably a bill to strike out the provision. The com mittee voted 13 to in favor of the repeal of the bill.
 In the senate, the committee on interoceanic canals decided to meet next week to consider the appeal of the president. While the house IS debating the issue next week, the senate committee will consider wheth- CT it will recommend a flat repeal Of the bill. or urge a compromise bill offered by Senator Chiffon, of West Virginia. which would authorize the president to regulate the tolls and assess the charges at his discretion, whenever exemption is provided in the canal act
 Senator Chiffon declared tonight he believed that more senators would vote for his amendment than would support flat repeal measure. He said his amendment, although 1t ac- complished the repeal of the tolls exemption indirectly. would not re- pudiate the democratic platform plank
 In it's report today. the committed. which provided for uniform tolls in the canal act as originally reported, ! reiterated its position.
 We deem it proper now" said the report, ito consider the international situation of our obligations and poli- cies in relation thereto. True, there has been as yet no friction nor even strained relations with foreign gov ernments. but We are advised that the opposite party to the principal treaty under which the canal was constructed, fails to approve the ac- | ton in providing for exemption or to | concur in our construction of the treaty. Other maritime nations hold the same dissenting opinion. in the whole
 Tn the family of nations we stand 1 situation it is not always necessary and wise to urge our contention, even though convinced of our ab- stract right. We are now disturbed by a taunt made for that purpose. that to repeal would be trucking and yielding to foreign demands. sim liar taunt could be lodged against any man or nation honorable enough to promote friendly relations by ac- cording respectful consideration to the views of an opposite party"
 The report also declares coastwise shipping does not need exemption.
 President Wilson's address of yes terday. the shortest he has yet de- livered to congress-exactly 420 words was as follows:
 { ''Gentlemen of the Congress: 1 q have come to you on an erran which can be very briefly performed. i but I beg that you will not measure its importance by the number of sentences in which I state it. No communication I have addressed to congress carried with it graver or more far-reaching implication to the interest of the country and I come now to speak on a matter with re- gard to which I am charged in q peculiar degree. by the constitution itself, with personal responsibility. 'I have come to ask for the repeal of that provision of the Panama canal act of August "A. 1912. which l in ho coastwise trade of the United States from payment of tolls. and to urge on you the justice. the wisdom and the large policy of such a repeal
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