Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1914-03-27
UNDERWOOD LEADS THE ATTACK
WITH A BITTER LOGICAL ARRANGEMENT
Of THE DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION

to the meaning OF this language. No
one can raise the issue that the bill
now pending before the House in
troduced by the gentleman from Ten
nessee (Mr. Simsl is not in direct
conflict with the declaration Of the
Democratic platform. Personally |
believe that the perty pledge should
be lived up TO in good faith by those
who claim allegiance to party prin-
,iples, but as there are many here
who differ with me In reference to
he binding effect of a party plat
form viii not al this time en-
ieayor to discuss the pending bin
rom that standpoint.
Let us resolve the issue into the
question as TO whether the platform
II the Democratic party fayoring ex-
mption of tolls of American ships
ngaged in coastwise trade through
he Panama canal is best for the
ration and the people of our country
whether the gentleman from Ten
iessee in the bill now pending be-
ore the House repudiating the decla-
alton of the Democratic party, Is
proposing legislation that will be
most beneficial to our nation and our
people"
Representative Underwood quoted
igures to show that the cost OF
maintenance of the canal and inter
| st on the governments investment
ould be met easily without charg-
hg American vessels tolls and by
harging foreign vessels a fair and
reasonable" toll He compared the
oils charged by the British at the
Snez canal with the proposed Pan
ana tolls.
"The purpose of Congress" said
ie, "in providing in the act for the
opening, maintenance. protection and
operation of the canal, that no tolls
| hall be levied upon vessels engaged
| the coastwise trade of the United
| states. and providing further that
should be left discretionary with
he president of the United States
exempt from tolls our ships en-
| tagged in foreign trade, was an effort
on the part of Congress to discrim-
mate In favor of American shipping
and to re-establish our merchant ma
rine This has been a policy of the
Democratic party since the beginning
| # the government The Democratic
larty has never stood for direct sub
iidles but has always favored sub
| yentions and determinations In favor
of our shipping
"lf we have built the canal for the
benefit of an American merchant ma
rine and not for the practical exciu-
sive use of foreign shipping. we must
| adopt a policy of discrimination In
favor of American ships. or we must
in the end pay indirect subsidies to
enable our ships to compete with
ships of foreign nations. The subsi-
dies and determinations that Euro
Dean governments have given to their
shipping interests have practically
driven American ships from the seas.
"For the reasons given believe
chat the Democratic party was both
4 Use and patriotic when 1t announced
| policy in favor OF discriminating
In favor OF coastwise ships going
through the Panama canal and that
here Is no reason al this time why
We should abandon a solemn promise
made to the American people In one
II the most prominent planks in our
party platform"
/ In conclusion Underwood said
Are We now TO yield the sovereign
iehts Of nation and for what
an any one tell us plainly why we
mrrender and what Is TO be accom-
plished by ito
Are we to yield merely because
the sentiment OF Europe Is against
us2 When has the sentiment OF Eu'
rope ever been with us about matters
Of moment2
WAS Europe with us when We
protested against the British gov
, ernment taxing us without granting
representation IN the Parliament Did
Europe sympathize with rs when We
protested against the unlawful seix
ures aad search Of vessels IN the
second decade " the last century,
! When win the time ever come
. when W. can expect 20 maintain and
> preserve our rights political and
e commercial with the acqulescent
sympathy Of European governments p