The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-11
WORK ON TOLLS QUESTION.
HOUSE COMMERCE. COMMITTEE
fAVORABLY REPORTS MEAS
URE FOR REPEAL.
Shiiton To Urge Compromise Bill
Leaving Canal Problem to Discreet
ION of Prcsident--Onc Obstacle IL
Cndcrwood's Stand.


"snama canal act as requested by
President Wilson were taken in con-
gress today when the house commit
tee on Interstate commerce reported
favorably n bill TO strike out the pro-
vision. In the senate .he committee
on inter-oceanic canals decided TO
meet next week TO consider the ap-
peal OF the president fora reversal
OF policy in the controversy which
involves the Hay Pauncefote treaty.
and In the opinion OF the president
the general foreign relations policy of
the administration.
While the house Is debating the
issue next week the senate committee
will consider what course to pursue:
whether TO recommend "a Hat repeal
bill or to urge the compromise bill
offered by Senator Chiffon, a member
of the committee. which authorizes
the president to regulate tolls and
assess charges at his discretion
wherever exemption is provided in the
canal act.
II believe that more senators
would vote for my amendment than
Will support fiat repeal measure"
said Senator Chiffon tonight. Though
the amendment would accomplish re-
peal OF toll exemption indirectly. II
would not repudiate the Democratic
platform plank indorsing tolls exemp-
tion. and senator's who fatty refuse to
40 back on that plank would vote
for It,"
In the house there was quick re-
sponse to the presidents address. the
committee voting 13 TO 3 to favorably
report the Sims repeal bill. Absent
members who were recorded made
the vote II to 4.
Chairman Adamson had ready a.
draft OF the report when the COM
mittee met II based approval OF
the Sims bin on two broad
grounds set forth in the presidents 8
message-general international ON
ity an1 the immediate foreign situa-
tion confronting the country Repre-
sentative Knowland of California.
who led the opposition in the COM
mittee. was given three days To file
minority report. and Chairman Adam
son was authorized to urge the rules
committee to report special rule to
hasten the bill through the house
The matter will be pressed at once,
and II is expected a rule will be
brought in the house. probably by!
Thursday OF next week.
Representative Adamson will take
charge OF the situation i'm the house.
as Majority Leader Underwood. for
the first time during the administra-
ton. finds himself on the anti-admin-
istration side OF the question. Repre-
sentative Underwood has announced
his intention of not only voting
against the bill. but also OF making
speech against il. Despite this
however. the leaders OF the repeal
forces declared today they were as
sured of substantial majority to
carry out the presidents will. In its
report today the committee. which
provided for uniform tolls i'm the canal
act. az originally reported. reiterated
it's position.
We deem IL proper now" said the
report to consider the international
situation and our obligations and poll
Icy In relation thereto. True. there
has been as yet no friction nor even
strained relations with foreign gov
ernments. but we are advised the op-
positc party to the principal treaty
under which the canal was construct
ed. falls To approve our action i'm pro-
viding for the exemption or To- concur
In our construction of the treaty.
other maritime nations hold the same
dissenting opinion. and in the whole
family Of nations we stand alone i'm
our contentious. In such a situation.
II is not always necessary or wise To
urge our contention, even though con-
vinccd of our ATTRACT right. We are
not disturbed by the taunt made for a
purpose that repeal would bc truck
iing and yielding to foreign demands
similar taunt could be lodged
against any man or nation honorable
enough To- promote friendly relations
By according respectful confederation
to the vicws Of the opposite party.
After "A discussion Of provisions az
the IIay-Paunccfotc treaty and tho
declaration that the coastwisc trade
OF the United states does not need
the assistance OF free tolls. the com
mittec report sail:
"The foreign governments obicctire
To our construction Of tho treaty can
ma hundred points i'm the worlds