Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-04-08
STRONG SPEECH
AGAINST TOLLS
EXEMPTION

WASHINGTON. March Sire
preventative Underwood. of Alaba-
ma. Democratic floor leader in the
Hoasc Of Representatives de
livcrcI his speech against repeal
inc the Panama tolls exemption. as
urged by President Wilson. The
scene OF the leader Of the House
majority. who had led the success
ful fights for practically all the
administration measures. combating
the position OF the President. attract
ed wide attention Mr. Underwood
urged defeat OF the Sims bill. which
follows President Wilson's recon-
incubation for the repeal OF the tolls
exemption. lie declared the repeal
was contrary 10 the platform OF the
Democratic party adopted at the
Baltimore convention. and that an
exemption fayoring American coast
wise ships did not violate the Hay
Paunceiotc treaty.
Not Tor one moment do I be-
lievc we have violated 4 treaty,
declared Mr.. Underwood. Our
whole difficulty arises from the UNI
American spirit Of surrender that
some OF our own people have exhib-
tied toward this important question
from the very beginning.
Can any one tell us plainly TO
whom we surrender, and what is TO
be accomplished by it: Are we TO
yield merely because the sentiment
OF Europe is against us? When
has the sentiment OF Europe ever
been with us about matters OF mo-
mcnt2 When will the time come
when We can expect to maintain
and preserve our rights, political
and commercial, with the acquics-
cent sympathy OF European gov
ernments:"
Mr.. Underwood quoted the tolls
exemption plank from the Balti-
more platform. and continuing said;
There can be no confusion as to
the meaning of this language. No
one can raise the issue that the bill
now pending before the House, in
PRODUCED by the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. SIMS is not in di-
rec, conflict with the declaration OF
The Democratic platform. Person
ally ! believe that the party pledge
should be lived up to in good faith
by those who claim allegiance to
parry principles. but as there are
many here who differ with me in
reference to the binding effect of a
party platform, will not at this
TIM cndcavor to discuss the pend
ing bill from that standpoint
let US resolve the issut into the
question as 70 whether the platform
of the Democratic party favoring
exemptions OF tolls .ot American
ship5 engaged in coastwise trade
passing through the Panama Canal
is best for the nation and the PEG.
pie Of our country, or whether the
gentleman from Tennessee in the
bill now pending before the House
regulating the declaration OF the
Democratic party, is proposing leg
isla.jnn lns; will be most beneficial
to oar nation and our people"
Representative Underwood quot
ed figures TO show that the cost Of
maintenance OF the Canal and in.
terc=t on the governments invest.
meut could be met easily withou
charging American vessels tolls anC
by charging foreign vessels a "faii
and reasonable" toll. He compar
ed me tolls charged by the British
at the Suez Canal with the pro
posed Panama tolls.
The purr ,se Of Congress" SAT-
he, IN providing in the act for tn,
opca:ag. maintenance, protection
and operation Of the canal, that Il,
toll shall be levied upon vessel
engaged in the coastwise trade o
the Jl,ited States and providing
fur,ac;' that it should be left dis
cre:.o AIRY win the President o
the Unite I States TO exempt from
tolis 5ar ships engaged in foreigi
trat,. was an effort on the par
OF Congress Il discriminate in fav
Or 81 American shipping and to re
establish our merchant marine. Thi
has been Z policy of the Democrat
party since the beginning of tn
government The Democratic part
has never stood for direct sub
sides Int has always favored sui
ventions and determinations in fay
or - our shipping.
at was through discriminatin
tar:G duties that our merchant ma
rirC Vas developed in the first thre
dc~-ras ~ ou- ooycrur7cut's exist