The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-06-09

LAST WtOHeSUdy senator r. Nj.
Simmons delivered a powerful argu-
ment in behalf of the bill for repeal
of the clause in the Panama Cana,
act which exempts coastwise ship
ping from canal tolls. The speech
occupies eight closely printed pages
in the Congressional Record and
bears all the marks of careful investi-
CATION and patient thought so char
acteristic of the senior Senator. Some
portions of the address follow:
Mr.. President, the argument most
relied upon by the opponents of re-
peal in their contention that our
CoastwiSe trade is not included in the
terms and stipulations of the Hay
Pauncefote treaty, not because it is
expressly or implicitly excluded, but
because under our navigation laws
only domestic vessels are per mitted
to engage in this trade.
In the consideration of this argu-
ment it is important that there should
be a clear understanding of the office
the function-the canal was under
the treaty designed to perform in con-
nection with general and
of the conditions against which it was
sought by that treaty to safeguard
such as might seek pas
sage through it.
Clearing Up the Situation.
In the interest of clarity in the pre-
sentation | shall make, let me state
my understanding of that situation:
The United States was getting ready
TO undertake the construction of a
canal in some point across the 18th
mus connecting the two oceans. 1t
was to become a great international
interoceanic highway for commerce
Of all kinds and Of all nations. II
was, of course, foreseen by all that the
United States would impose a charge
for the use of the canal which would
in the course of time pay the cost OF
its operation and amOrtiZe the capita
expended in its construction.
In these conditions two things be.
came of paramount importance to thu
prospective customers of this water.
way. represented in his treaty b,
Great Britain.
First, it was Of the utmost import
ance that all through tn,
canal, without regard to the kind O
the character Of vessels in which i
was carried, or from whence it cam
OF where it was going, should contrib
ute it's equitable and pro rata Part t.
this general fund.
Second, it was of still greater i'm
portance that there should be no dis
elimination against citizens Of diff
ferent countries in the conditions an
- &c iIHpOScu ~ tne use VI III
canal which would abridge or distur
the equal opportunity of competitio'
and intercourse in the markets of tn
world to which, of right, they wer
equally entitled. In other words, tina
the canal should not be made the in
strument of revolutioniZing and UP
setting the established equilibrium G
world mmerc
The provisions of the treaty fC
equality of treatment Of vessels an
against traffic discrimination must b
interpreted in the light Of the pul
poses embraced in these two geners
neutrality-suspicious. in whic
the United States as builder. as we
as the other nations as customer
were interested.
From this standpoint l propose
consider the argument that the e.
emption in the act Of 1912 of OF
coastwise trade does not cOntraveT
the treaty, because only domestic We
sells can engage in that trade und
our navigation laws.
Treaty Doesn't ~Diferentiate.
The Hay-Pauncefote treaty do
not, as does the treaty Of 1S15-r
ferred to in the Olesen case-differel
Late between vessels engaged in dl
ferent kinds of trade. 1t refers
vessels only as vehicles Of trade.
rs directed mainly to traffic. 1t seel
TO put traf1C-the cOmmerce-OI Z
countries upon an equal footing Wi
respect to canal charges, and to tn
end it stipulates that the canal shs
tie open to vessels of all nations up'
terms Of entire equality SO that the
may be no discrimination in the u
OF the canal between the citizens
one nation in favor of those of anoth
nation in the conditions or charg
of traffic or otherwise.
Thnrro tho ~ oh JG
sought is the protection Of those |
terested in this merchandise, wheth
as seller or buyer, against discern
nation, and any regulation with reft
ence TO tho vehicles in which this me
chandise is conveyed which has |
effect Of placing n burden upon I
merchandise of the citizens or @
country from which the citizens
another country are exempt, nec'
sarily violates the treaty guarantee