The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-31
VERBAL ARTILLERY THUNDERS IN BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE
 THROUGHOUT DAY
WARM STATEMENT FROM VARDAMAN ON
 TOLL EXEMPTION
By c. E. STEWART

Washington March s0.-(Spe- ciaLl-Declaring that it is not that love President Wilson less but I love the people of the United States and my obligations more.r Senator James K. Vardaman today issued a strong and vigorous statement in opposition to the repeal of the Pan- anna canal tolls act
 When the question of repeating the law permitting American ships engaged in the coastwise traffic to pass through the canal free of tolls came up l was curious to know what the President was going to say In explanation of his change of front on that subject said Senator Nardaman. T looked forward to A masterful discussion of the great question. I thought that he would take Congress into his confidence and that. We would reason together about the matter
 But when he said that we would do this because he asked us to do it, and do it 'ungrudgingly,' l was sorely disappointed
 Asking Too Much
 Senator Nardaman declared that ne was a member of the platform committee of the Baltimore conven- lon. This canal tolls question was considered carefully along with other blanks in the platform" he said. and it was the mature thought of the convention, as much so as any other plank in the plat form. After the convention the President discussed and approved of 1t. MT. Bryan approved it. The American people approved it, and now to ask democrats elected on that platform to betray their con stituents and violate instructions given by them is asking a little more than my sense of right and loyalty to my constituents will per init me to do.
 Tt is very unfortunate that cer- tain senators and representatives have undertaken to cloud the issue and mislead the people by claiming that to permit American ships en- gagged in coastwise trade to pass through the canal free of tribute 10 the government is gratning d sub sidy or encouraging a monopoly. The question of dollars and cents to the government is not the issue.
 The President has made the issue squarely upon the right of the United States to control and manage it's own property in the canal section. The American peo- pie spent S400. 100000 to build the canal. II is constructed on property belonging to the United States government. It Is ours just as much a 8 if il was cut through the terri tory across the continent from New York toa San--h'rancisco. and the American people are not Doing to be misled by pusillanimous as- saults made by certain pliant. sy- chophantic followers of the Presi- dent against senators and repre- sentatives who insist upon carrying out the party's platform pledges.
 Tt is most unfortunate that that great problem cannot be discussed" ," continues the senator's statement without imputing improper mo- tiNes to the men who made it pos sible for the democrats 10 win and w oodrow Wilson to be elected President of the United States"
 The senator's statement continues at considerable length. bristling with epigrams. T am not going to . criticize MT. Bryan" said the sen- ator. "l don't know what influences are working on him. He is brave, patriotic and intelligent. and l love him, but his great desire to work in perfect harmony with the Presi- dent seems to have operated as a kind of hypnotic spell. Instead of the strong voice l expected him to to be, he seems to be content to play the part of an echo.''