The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-03-12
WILSON'S MESSAGE
ON TOLL QUESTION
President Declares Exemption Of
u. S. Coastwise Shipping a
Mistaken Economic Policy.
ASKS AOAMSON ACT REPEAL
Chief Executive Says All World Pow
ers Were Unanimous In Judgment
Exemption Was In Violation
of Treaty Obligations.

Washington, March 5-Just why
President Wilson thinks congress
should repeal the toll exemption
clause In the Panama canal act was
told the national legislators this after
noon by the president himself when
he went to the capitol and read a
special message on the subject. Rep,
resentative Underwood had asked for
the message in order that Democratic
members who had voted for the ex.
emption clause might have good ex.
cuse to change their votes. Mr.. I'm.
Moreover, the clause was endorsed by
the Democratic national convention,
and the Democratic floor leader
thought Mr.. Wilson should assume the
responsibility for legislation that
amounts to repudistion of one OF the
party's planks. That the president
does not shirk the responsibility was
evidenced by his speedy compliance
with Mr.. Underwoods request
Presidents Message.
The address follows:
Gentlemen of the Congress-:
Il have come to you upon an errand
which can be very briefly performed
but ! beg that you will not measure
its importance by the number Of sen.
fences in which l state it. No com.
munication | have addressed to the
congress carried with 1t graver or
more far-reaching implications to the
interest of the country and l now
come to speak upon matter with
regard to which l am charged in a
peculiar degree by the constitution 1t.
self with personal responsibility.
Il have come to ask for the repeal
of that provision Of the Panama canal
act of August "a, 1912, which exempts
vessels engaged in the coastwise trade
of the United States from payment OF
tolls, and to urge upon you the jus.
tice, the wisdom, and the large policy
of such a repeal with the utmost
earnestness Of which | am capable.
Exemption Mistake.
'Tn my own judgment, very fully
considered and maturely formed, that
exemption constitutes mistaken
economic policy from every point OF
view, and is, moreover, in plain con
traventon Of the treaty with Great
Britain concerning the canal conclud,
ed on November Is, 1901. But | have
not come to you to urge my personal
views. | have come to state to you a
fact and a situation.
Whatever may be our own differ
ences of opinion concerning this much
debated measure, it's meaning is not
debated outside the United States
Everywhere else the language of the
treaty Is given but one Interpretation,
and that Interpretation precludes the
exemption am asking you to repeal
Consented to Treaty.
Eve consented TO the treaty; its
language we accepted, IL we did not
originate it; and we are too big, too
powerful, too self-respecting a nation
to interpret with too strained or re-
fined a reading the words of our own
promises Just because we nave power
enough to give us leave to read them
as we please. The large thing to do
Is the only thing we can afford to do
voluntary withdrawal from a posi-
ton everywhere questioned and misun
derstood We ought to reverse our
action without raising the question
whether we were right or wrong, and
so once more deserve our reputation
for generosity and the redemption OF
every obligation without bubble OF
hesitation.
Il ask this Of you in support of the
foreign policy os the administration
| shall not know how to deal with
other meetings of even greater deli
cacy and nearer consequence If you
do not grant 1t to me in ungrudgine
measure"