The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-04
WILSON TO PLEAD TO
CONGRESS FOR TOLLS
VIII Read New Message for Elk.
emption Repeal, Prob
ably Tomorrow.
MAKES 1T PARTY MEASURE
Presidents Decision Based on
Fear That Repeal Will
Be Beaten.

WASHINGTON. March 3.-President VIII
son will deliver a special message to
Congress advocating the repeal Of the
section Of the Panama Canal act exempt
ing American coastwise ships from the
payment OF tolls.
This decision was reported to-day fol-
lowing a conference with Chairman Adam
son OF the House Committee on Interstate
and Foreign Commerce. who will have
charge OF the Administrators fight for
the repeal in the lower house.
The Presidents decision was interpreted
as indicating lack OF confidence on his
part in the ability OF the Administration
forces in Congress to carry the repeal OF
the clause The President had not in
tended TO deliver his address on the sub
ject, but his hand apparently has been
forced by Representative Underwood and
other leaders who are determined that the
President himself shall assume full re-
sponsibility for the repeal Of the law in
dorsed by the Democratic platform.
Friends say He VIII win.
The Presidents friends insisted tonight
that the fight will te won by the Admins
tration. II is not doubted. however. that
the Presidents decision to deliver a special
message grew out OF the realization by
him that the fgh, will be very close.
The announcement az the White House
that the President would deliver the mes
sage was conditional upon the possibility
of procuring the consent of the Congress
leaders tomorrow. Representative Under
wood and Senator Kern. the ma jority lead
ers OF the House and Senate. will be
asked tomorrow 10 present a resolution
for a Joint session OF the House and
Senate TO hear the message on Thursday.
II is practically certain that the resolu-
ton will b. approved.
The President in his message, which
will be comparatively brief. will express
the view that tine free tolls provision.
violates the Hay-Pauncefote treaty with
Great Britain. Al the same time he will
characterize II as special privilege and
hence as being utterly foreign to the
fundamental principles OF the Democratic
party. BY openly assuming full Admins
trattSn responsibility for the abrogat!o
OF the plank OF the Democratic platform
which approves the free tolls provision
the President It is believed. will rally &c
his support many leaders Who voted
originally for the exemption.
becomes Party Measure.
Mr.. Underwood at a recent conference
with the President, informed him tina.
personally he favored the provision as ap-
proved by the party platform. but that he
would not permit his personal views "a
stand In the way OF a party movemen,
provided the fight for the appeal was
clearly defined as such.
Many OF the Democrats who voted for
the provision originally have taken the
same view with Mr.. Underwood. II was
in Difference to their wishes that the
President last week decided to write an
open letter TO Administration leaders In
both houses in favor of the repeal. Fol-
lowing his conference with Chairman
Adamson this afternoon. however. the
President decided It would be advisable
for him publicly TO address the Congress
in order to express his attitude as party
leader.