The Washington times., 1914-04-09
Senator Suggests Board OF
Three High Court Judges
From Each Country.
BELIEVES UNITED STATES
ENTITLED TO CONCESSIONS
Would Favor South American
Shippers Rather Than the
CoaStWiSe Traders.

When the hearings on lu@ iSsi'.hii.a
Canal tolls controversy tesan tbs
morning before the Senate Committee
On Ipterocean!c Canals. Senator No.ris
Of Nebraska made a striking i!SLITen'
in favor of the reservation or = mtr-
can rights i'll the repeal dill and m
favor OF submission of the CONSTITUTION"
of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty 10 St"l-
frsuon.
fHe proposed that the questions i:iNo:-
we'd be submitted 10 body consisting
Of three judges Of tn. Supreme Court OF
The United States snd three Judges OF
the highest court Of Great D;it2:n.
This is strictly a question of law,
ne said. in regard TO treaty cLEStruc-
tion. If it were submitted TO scCh q
hcdy. would expect 10 get Unani-
NOUS decision one way Or the Other.
Would Be Victory.
1t would be. gentlemen. the greatest
victory for arbitra ZION that was ever
won in the civilized world. especially
BECAUSE coming from US. II would De
victory for arbitration that would put
Us at the head of the list of nations
and give us q position never before
held
senator Norris said that. If ii we're
desired TO have an oGd-numoe:ed tri-
nunal the Pres'den OF Switzerland
might be added. or he might designate
enne citizen of ST,itZerla nd to be added.
might designate the three American
suoges and the President OF the
United States might designate the
three British judges.
But the President or the United
States has already decided the case
against US interrupted Senator Bris-
low. "I don't see that he could prop
erly make designations under such
circumstances.
Senator Norris insisted that this coun-
try ought not surrender its rlgnts IN
rhe canal. regardless OF views on
Tolls exemptions or on the constr uc uc
ton Of the treaty. He held that every
American ought to want to. reserve
such rights as this country mas
He Expects Action.
After the hearing. Senator Norris
~no has introduced an amendment to
he repeal bill for the reservation OF
American rights and for arbitration o.
The canals dispute. expressed the belief
nat the Senate would ADOPT somethih. 4.
O. the ORDER OF his aInentincn'.
3 TO the committee he said he vas
crpose6 TO free tolls at This time. as ~
economic proposition. But lie was a.
eager as anyone to have the risnt tS
grant tree tolls. If IN the future II
proved desirable.
srtitude Of saving that DO not oelzN'
4ie United States has this ri5nt 70 olS
Eliminate in favor o. its own sh'npihe'
be said.
..o7struct:or o. the treaty. Honest meI
honestly differed about il But as .,
american he would not want TO seer
J" put his Government IN the a.tltr9e Q
not haN.ns the right to grant eNemp
sions. He Leld that regardless
siews Americans ought 20 be G!nd L
put the country in the hG't OF h=In'
able 10 discriminate in favor o: II
80 ppinG If il wanted TO.
4 Sena tor Norris said he had a irs
s1ought the Urited states did not AsN'
me right to discriminate, but furthe
Sud, Of the facts and The cons.l tiol
Slaced on the treaty when Z was made
made il seem 30 him there was gray
SoUbt whether lLat construction
Hight
Deems 1t Unwise.
He deems il unWise for Congress I,
mass q bill that would De regarded a
saving We had no right to discriminate
Personally he added. Il had rath"
discriminate in favor OF on. vessels i
she South American trade, tnan in faro
~ our coastwise Shipping. | have Il
6oubt VIC can discriminate in favor q
The one, il We can III favor OF tn
nther''
Our action could not be held - !
fhe future aS judgment against US.
he said in further adN ocacE o hi
amendment.
Senator Bristow asked for his viev
on exempting vessels in lhe Sout
American trade from tolls. and Senate
Norris pointed out the canal act cor
Tained clause under which the Pres
-ient could impose lower tolls on sue
vessels than on others If he saw fit.
While opposed to free tO.:s for COas
ships now. he reminded tn" CON
mittee the time might come whe
exercise of that right would BE- wan
I'd, and he said that after the can
had been opened and tried out u
would like 10 give preference I" yes
sscls In the South Au""iCan trade.
Discuss Free Canal.
Senator Thomas raised the plan I
making the canal free to the worn
ard this was discussed for rim
senator Norris thought TIE magnitud
o! the proposition made this
doubtful wisdom. and different a te
~ A u