New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-20
Fight Over Presidents Plea
Bitterest Since Demo
cratic Control.
JONES SEES WILSON
AND AMENDS REMARKS
Tells Senate He Was Assured Sir
Lionel Garden Had Nothing
TO Do with Bill.

Washington. March 19-Conhdence in
the repeal of the tolls exemption clause in
the Panama Canal act is mixed with fear
IN administration circles tonight that
the fight over President Wilson's plea
will develop into the bitterest since the
Democratic party came into control Of the
national government.
With the time almost at hand when the
question is 10 be decided, the unyieldihs
opposition of the Democrats VINO beheNe
il will be an economic mistake TO reverse
the policy of the government on the tolIs
question becomes more active, ana III
Senate and House the discussion is GER
tain TO he the most vigorous That mas
been precipitated by any issue the Demo-
cratic Congress has had before IL.
While the President and Democratic
members i'm both houses who VIII support
his position are confident that the repeal
will pass by a comfortable majority lew
have any idea that the majority VIII De
large. Debate on the repeal Will begin IN
the House on Saturday. when rule VIII
he offered limiting debate 10 fifteen hours
In the Senate action by the Coniiillt .'9
on Interoceanic Canals on repeal Dill
submitted by Senator owen may be taken
tomorrow or Saturday.
O'Gorn1an Not for Delay.
Interest in the controversy was added
to-day by the return TO the city OF Sena-
tor O'Gorman. Although strongly OPP
nosed to the proposed repeal. and pre-
pared TO fight II on the floor. 1t IS De
lioved that Mr.. O'Gorman Will not seek
TO DELAY consideration of the owen repedl
hill by the Interoceanic Canals COMMIT
tee. of which he is chairman. senator
owen and others had planned to confer
with the New York Senator TO urge meet
ING of the committee Immediately, 50
that q report may be before the senate
by the time the House acts upon the
Sims bill. with which the owen measure
virtually is identical The Sims Dill IS
expected to be called up in the House
Saturday
After an interview with the President
who told him that he was skating Oh
thin ice" Senator Jones to-day made
formal statement on the floor Of the sen
ate that he had no personal knowIedse
concerning the Presidents talk with SH
Lionel Garden or its bearing upon the
Panama Canal tolls question, 10 when
ne referred in his speech yesterday.
The incident was used by Senator
Iones. however. as an argument in favor
of the passage Of his resolution Calling
unon the President for information con-
corning the protests Of foreign nations
against the tolls exemption clause
Congress and the people Of the coun-
Try" he saiy fought TO be taken into the
confidence Of the President
Sets tho President Right.
81 desire TO say" declared Mr.. Jones,
chat the impression seems to have been
conveyed from the remarks l made yes
terdav that nv reference concerning an
alleged interview Of Sir Lionel Garden
with the President was made on informa-
ton I possessed or on matters within my
knowledge.
81 think a reading Of the remarks Will
show that this is not correct; that what L
said was based upon a quotation from a
paper with reference TO the interview.
81 wish to say in justice to the Presi-
dent that he has assured me in most
nositive terms that there is no basis oil
fact i'm the interview with Sir Lionel
: arden for the conclusion or suggestions
I ,ntained in the article, and when he
gives such assurance / accept 1t without
hesitation.
81 wish to make that statement in JUS
tice 10 the President, because / do not
want to do injustice 20 any one. much less
70 him. do think that 1t emphasizes the
importance of passing a resolution Of this
character AT some time, so that we can
get any official statement with reference
20 whatever information there is available
in regard 10 this question
Upon request Of Senator Bristow no &C
ton was taken on the Jones resolution
to-day