The Washington herald., 1914-04-09
THE OPEN FORUM.
Writer Pays High Tribute to Presi-
dents Canal Tolls Policy

y TO the Editor: I congratulate you on
your stand on the tolls question
have followed you carefully in this mat
ter, and consider that you are to be COM
mended for defending the admInistra-
tion's policy. As you say. the people OF
the United States will eventually see the
question In the light in which President
Wilson views II. and they will think the
more of him for his stand, and also OF
the papers who are standing with him.
Incidentally. am not Democrat, and
did not vote for Wilson.
Ihe tolls question can be analyzed as
follows:
First-The main element of the question
is. which is right. economically, tolls or
exemption?
Second-Two factors which have COM
plicated the question. and which have
nearly obscured the main issue are. Gar
the Hay-Pauncsfote treaty. and Cb) the
exemption plank in the Baltimore plat
form.
! A third factor might be added-the fact
! that a law has already been passed.
under the Taft administration, providing
for exemption. But this phase Of the
question has already been disposed of.
since it involved only the courage OF
President Wilson in being willing to
tackle and undo an act that he is con-
vinced is wrong. A less courageous Pres
WOul1 nave Deen glad TO have let
the quiet volcano slumber.
The place to begin the consideration of
this question, which promises materially
tn affect the future of the Democratic
party. IS at point 1: rs exemption right
or wrong, economically?" Mr.. Wilson
must be right-exemption is wrong eco-
nomically-because these ships belong 10
private monopOlies. and not at all to the
people of the United States. and, there
fore. private individuals would pocket the
benefits.
This part of the question was evidently
settled along the lines of Mr. Wilson's
conclusions at the time the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty was drawn up. this treaty re-
fecting the sentiments and coneIusfons
of those who drew IL up and of the Sen
ate which ratified it.
This brings US up to point b." About
this time, | surmise. the shipping inter
ests woke up and began to get busy
The Taft administration passed the ex-
emption bill and the Democratic National
Convention at Baltimore adopted the ex-
emption plank (And 1 think this was
brought in by Mr.. OGorman and not by
Mr. Bryan)
The shipping interests apparently
did not care anything for the agree
ment with England. They must have
thought they had things pretty well
doctored up for keeps. who would
Imagine that they would not be
now
When Wilson praised the exemption
plank during his campaign he had no,
studied the question. but had taken
IL all for granted. Now he has had
occasion to study IL. and has drawn
his conclusions independent Of all po-
litical expediencies.
That a fear of England has fnfu-
enCe1 haI
the Presidents weII-known patriotism
is considered. That he has acted in
accordance with any understanding or
agreement is Unthinkable. in view OF
his thoroughly established personal in
tegrity and sense of national honor
Here is significant observa tion:
Have you noticed that practically all,
if not all. the flights of oratoricaI argu-
m"nts against Wilson's position are
based. not on the primary issue as to
whether exemption itself is right or
wrong in principle. but on the side
issues of the questionable backing
down from the Baltimore plank" and
the fear OF England" Let Us hope
that the debates in the Senate will be
on the real merits of the question. and
not on buE-a-bOOs. Mr.! Wilson's mes
sage to Congress hit the core Of the
when he said: Exemption
from tolls for ships owned by United
States shippers is wrong ecOnom-
IcaIly"
The President is to be commended
upon his remarkable courage in ur-
hertaking the task of making good
The word Of the United States. as ~
pressed in the Hay-Paunceforte treaty.
when all the odds are against him.
He must have done it with the knowI-
edge that il would produce near
crisis in the Democratic party. and
that il would tend to weaken himself
with his party. But il seems that he
preferred to he right. and thus to merit
The approval of his private conscience.
r. e