The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-04
FOR ARBITRATION
OF TOLLS DISPUTE
Committee Surprises Senate by
Reporting Favorably Suther-
land Resolution.
SITUATION IS COMPLICATED
Senator Varda1nan Attacks Presi-
dents Position in Matter,
and Criticizes Root.

vote on the Panama Canal tolls ex-
emption repeal bill seemed certain to
come within Il few days. the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee to-day
surprised the Senate and complicated
the situation by reporting favorably a
resolution designed TO lead to the sub
mission Of the dispute with Great Brit
ain To arbitration BY an international
tribunal.
There was no discussion of the roso-
luton but il will bc taken up before
81 vote is reached on the repeal bill
itself. and its appearance before the
Senate undoubtedly Will lead to fur
ther debate.
SO far as administration leaders
know. President Wilson opposes arbi-
tration unless the repeal bill previ-
ously is passed. and no word has come
TO the capital tonight that he had
changed his position.
Many Senators believe that without
the Presidents approval no arbitra-
tion proposal can receive "a majority.
During the debate to-day, Senator
Vardarnan. OF Mississippi n vigorous
opponent OF repeal. criticized the
Presidents position, and attacked Sen
ator Root. one Of the leaders OF the
opposite side.
The Sutherland resolution provides
for arbitration OF the "dimerences that
have arisen between the United States
and Great Britain under the Hay
Pnunccfotc treaty I'm the matter OF
payment Of tolls which may be en-
acted for the use of the Panama Ca
nal"
The resolution proposes that the
President ''bc requested" t. open dip
lomatic negotiations with Great Brit
ain with View to making special
agreement for an impartial iuterna-
,,.;i .,t ,.,Y Inn al
for tho submission TO IL OF differences
between the countries.
SENATE 0uICItENED PACE
IN DEBATE. OF MEASURE
The Senate 1uickencd its pace to-
day on the repeal bill and spent most
cf the seven hours il was in session
In debate. IL leaders carry out their
plan TO keep the measure constantly
before the Senate. even the arbitra-
tion resolution may not delay the vote
longer than next week.
Mr.. Nardaman, in severe language,
denounced the policy Of the President
and accused him OF hetrayinS the
voters who had supported him. He
ridicuied the partnership between
Senator Root and Secretary Bryan To
force the repeal through the Senate,
ana ncrcely condemned his party as
sociatcs for accepting the leadership
of Senator Root, whose career. he said,
Htt Det!t uISA.slE u!Sll'h N!'iN''S N'''
use of his legal ability in defense of
malefactors oi great wealth. The
speech made Il sensation.
Senator Nardaman. In beginning his
speech, reviewed the political condi-
tions existing at the time OF the as
semblns OF the Baltimore convention
ana the feeling existing among Demo-
Gratis throughout the country.
"a platform OF principles was adopt
ed," ne said, which, To my mind, was
The most democratic OF all documents
Of its character that has been pro-
claimed since the days Of Thomas Jef-
fevson. At the suggestion OF the
former leader OF the party. William
jennings Bryan. the platform was not
reported To the convention until n
candidate was had. This unusual
course was followed for the reason,
as expressed by Mr.. Bryan. that we
did not want an issue 10 arise during
the campaign which was to follow, be-
tween the candidate nominated and
tho platform"
RESOLVES ON NEW POLICY
IN DEFIANCE OF PLEDGES
The Senator then took up the cam
paign, told OF its enthusiasm and the
election OF Wilson, and continued:
But In the midst OF this inspiring
situation. with not a cloud as large
as mans hand upon the political
nation in lighting mood. and the
enemy disappointed, rent IN warning
factions and on the run, the word wen;
out chat, in defiance Of the pledges
made in the Baltimore platform, in
defiance OF the notable speech made
by the candidate on the Democratic
ticket, in spite OF our hOasted protcs-
tations OF undertaking loyalty to cam
paign promises, the President had re-
solved on an entirely new policy OF
his own, formed without consultation
with his party. and proclaimed with
out the consent of the people who
elected him, so far as the canal tolls
question is concerned, Il policy that
involved n direct and complete rcpudia.
tion Of that part of the platform
which eXempts from the payment of
tolls American ships engaged in coast
wise trade"
As a member OF the resolutions
committee OF the Baltimore conven-
tion. Senator Vardaman gave the Sen
ate ut some length his recollection of
the adoption of the tolls exemption
plank
Nobody, he said, regarded tho plank
IA subsidy In the interest of the
shipping trust. Senator Vnrdaman
then took UP tho speech of the candi-
date of his party delivered during the
campaign to the farmers of his own
State.
The President significantly stated.
In speaking of our platform, that It
was not molasscs TO catch fiies,'" OBJ
served Senator Nardaman.
II trust 1T will not be out Of place
for mo To suggest that it becomes the
duty OF the President to see that the
interests of the American people are
not flies 10 be caught In somebody
clsc's molasses.''
SENATOR ROOT PERSON
RESPONSIRLE FOR PLIGHT
He then paid his respects to Soma
tor Root as the person responsible for
tho present unenViablc plight of his
political party. and concludcd
''Thc day tho Prcsidcnt signs this
bill. he will sign the death warrant OF
that moral alliance which has SO hap
PLY united the two divisions OF th,
English speaking people for the last
forty years.
The truest friends OF the President"